Use Of EMDR Therapy For PTSD Treatment

By Young Lindsay


Post traumatic stress disorder causes psychological problems like severe anxiety, persistent flashbacks, and unending nightmares among mental problems. It develops mainly after experiencing or witnessing terrifying events. These events pose a threat to the physical well-being of individuals, their lives, or those of other persons. Applying EMDR therapy for PTSD dampens the emotionally charged past memories that occur after experiencing a traumatic event.

The EMDR mode of treating PTSD applies psychological therapies using structured protocols to help patients manage their condition. PTSD is mainly caused by physiological factors. The amygdala is one part of human brain that is implicated in its pathogenesis. Once this part is activated, it is likely to create fear within the individual something that stimulates other related parts like hypothalamus, locus ceruleus, nuclei parabrachial, and periaqueductal gray.

The stimulation further causes the body to release hormones and neurotransmitters, which are believed to be the principal cause of the associated symptoms. The orbitofrontal cortex acts as an inhibitor in countering the activation of amygdala. Another modulating factor to the activation of amygdala is the hippocampus. People with PTSD display an orbitofrontal cortex, which is not effective when it comes to inhibition of amygdale activation.

The activation and release of neurotransmitter and hormones triggers many of the symptoms observed in this disturbing syndrome. An inhibiting effect is provided by the orbitofrontal cortex on this activation. Another modulating effect to the amygdala is by the hippocampus. In patients with this disorder, the orbitofrontal cortex appears to be ineffective in inhibiting the amygdala activation mainly due to stress-induced atrophy of the nuclei involved.

Risk factors as shown by research include attributes of the exposure, characteristics of an individual and aftermath aspects. Individual characteristics include their genetic predisposition, prior exposure, history of psychiatric problem, and a positive family history. The elements of exposure include the proximity, severity, and duration.

Regarding aftermath factors, availability of social support, hyperarousal, and re-experience symptoms play a role in vulnerability. Signs and symptoms of this syndrome are such as persistent re-experiencing of the bad events, resultant numbness, avoidance and negative thoughts, as well as mood changes. To make a diagnosis of this syndrome, the symptoms must be present for not less than a month following the inducing event.

The syndrome may also affect your general appearance with patients often showing a poor personal hygiene and untidiness. Somatic complaints are also common. A few people develop complications such as depression and anxiety. Its consequences can range from subtle to avid and it affects the quality of life greatly. Other patients may have issue with drug abuse and alcohol. Other complications include eating disorders and suicidal thoughts or actions.

When such complications develop, one should see a doctor immediately. Psychotherapy as well as pharmacotherapy applies in treating patients. Psychotherapy procedures involve aspects like cognitive therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, and exposure therapy. The psychotherapy procedures are more safe than use of medications and they can produce good results in treating this disorder.




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