How Does PTSD Impact My Health?
The Importance of Stress Relief Management
Unresolved traumatic incidents can lead to more complex problems such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Researchers are finding many links between PTSD and physical health. This is why medical doctors who use an integrative holistic approach to wellness encourage stress relief management and the use of psychotherapy to alleviate the effects of trauma and learn stress reduction skills.
Symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, anger, depression, smoking, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other addictions may mask the underlying issues of unresolved trauma, grief and loss. Sadly, many clients have tried to "get over it" or "think their way out" of their symptoms, only to find themselves increasingly frustrated.
Why Can’t I Just "Get Over I"?
Therapists who deal with trauma know clients are often puzzled when something that happened "way back then" seems to be still be impacting them. Despite their best efforts, a traumatized person may continue to become overwhelmed, agitated, enraged, or hypervigiliant whenever triggered by a reminder of the situation.
Sadly, even though a person may know what's wrong, they are often told (by others or their own internal voice) that it "wasn't that bad" or "get over it." With this message, they are left with no internal or external support. It is helpful to understand that these symptoms are outside of conscious control and can debilitate even the strongest of individuals.
Those of us who routinely deal with trauma know that it blocks one's ability to fully live in the present or embrace the future. It's as if a part of one's spirit is held in captivity, and finally released when trauma is resolved. In reading the quotes from various members of our EMDR Therapist Network, you can feel the impact EMDR has on a person's ability to move forward.
As one Oregon EMDR therapist says:
"After using EMDR for over fifteen years in private practice, I am still awed by the deep transformation, and profound relief that this approach can bring. It is a privilege to witness clients unburdened of trauma becoming able to access their own internal resources, strength and healing. It is as if one's future self somehow becomes available in the present."
~ Jesse Rappaport, LCSW, Portland, Oregon
The EMDR Therapist Network: We are professionals skilled in the therapeutic use of EMDR and we support your quest for health, happiness and well-being.
Find an EMDR Therapist
The EMDR Therapist Network serves the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington.
