Trauma affects many people; it is important not to allow yourself to say, “My trauma isn’t as bad as someone else’s” We must learn not to compare traumas or think yours isn’t as bad as someone else’s trauma, so you don’t need help. Allowing yourself to process through your trauma could decrease your anxiety, increase your mood, and decrease the reels you may be playing in your mind. Trauma can cause people to have triggers they may not even recognize they have. They could react to things differently than they normally would when a trigger surfaces.
The definition of trauma is a person’s emotional response to events that are distressing, scary, dangerous, or shocking. Some of these events may put people in harm or death causing an overwhelming feeling. People who experience trauma can affect their mental health, physical health, and social skills.
Behavior problems can be linked to people who have suffered traumatic experiences. Sometimes people will engage in risky behaviors and possible substance abuse if they have experienced a traumatic event or events. Mental health conditions can be found in some people who have experienced trauma.
There are many types of modalities that therapists use to treat trauma but one I have seen work well is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. EMDR was created by Francine Shapiro in 1987. EMDR assists in helping heal from past trauma, anxiety, or difficult life experiences. During the process, you may experience deep emotions such as grief, anger anxiety, and fear. EMDR can treat people who have experienced PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) but has been known to treat the following:
- Panic Attacks
- Grief
- Personality Disorder
- Phobias
- Dissociative Disorder
- Disturbing memories or thoughts
- Eating Disorders
- Pain
- Performance Anxiety
- Stress reduction
- Physical or Sexual Abuse
- Addictions
- Body Dysmorphic Disorders
When someone is very disturbed it is difficult for the brain to process information. It is almost as though a moment becomes “frozen in time.” People have expressed remembering the trauma may feel as it did when they experienced the trauma the first time they encountered it. These images affect how someone views the world or interacts with others.
EMDR allows the brain to process information that may have been blocked. In an EMDR session feelings, images, and sounds are brought to the service allowing for processing but not forgetting an event. EMDR assists people in recalling events with a less disturbing view of the event after they have been able to process it. As a therapist trained in EMDR, I have seen firsthand how this modality helps people to clear their brain pathways experiencing less anxiety and a better overall mood. I highly recommend anyone experiencing trauma reach out to a trained EMDR therapist to start your healing journey.
Resources
EMDRIA, 2005, What is the EMDR International Association, Adult EMDR Brochure, PDF
Shapiro, F, 2018, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, The Guilford Press