Treating Patients By Using EMDR Therapy For PTSD

By Young Lindsay


One of the commonest syndromes characterized by nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks, and among other mental conditions is post traumatic stress disorder. It occurs when a person experiences or witnesses horrifying moments in your life. Such events induce threats to the physical and emotional well-being of the individuals. Therapists can use EMDR therapy for PTSD to help the patients come out of the disturbing memories and be able to lead their lives without the symptoms.

The occurrence of this syndrome is estimated to be around 8 to 10 percent throughout life, and is responsible for a lot of morbidity. While the disorder seen more in women than in men, on the other hand, there appears to be no age preference. It can take toll in persons of any age. Physiological factors are regarded as the major causes of this disorder.

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.

There are risk factors connected to this condition such as nature of the trauma event, the personal qualities, and the subsequent events. Aspects like psychiatric illnesses suffered before the bad event, the previous exposure, genes, and the tendency of family members to suffer the syndrome are major determinants in an individual. In analyzing the exposure, things like proximity to the event, its severity, and how long it lasted are also considered.

However, in some people it may take years to show those symptoms. This syndrome also impacts on the general appearance of a person where one might show a poor personal hygiene. Non-specific symptoms may also be witnessed in patients. Complications, though not common, may develop in patients and they include anxiety and depression.

Its consequences can range from mild to severe, and they affect the standard of life. Other patients engage in use of substances like drugs and alcohol something that complicates the condition and the health of a patient. Other problems observed in patients are eating disorders and suicide thoughts or actions.

The use of drugs is associated with other major complications, which further lower the quality of life in these individuals. Individual might also suffer from eating disorders. In managing the condition, EMDR therapy has shown positive results. It is a safe therapy, which has no side effects. Using some motions or music tones, the therapists perform procedures that help individuals do away with the disturbing memories.




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