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Using EMDR Therapy For PTSD Treatment

By Young Lindsay


Post traumatic stress disorder affects a lot of people who invariably display symptoms such as hallucinations, flashbacks, severe anxiety, and nightmares. By using EMDR therapy for PTSD, it helps patients manage the post trauma stress disorder and lead a better life. The events that induce this condition may be life threatening or tend to cause physical harm the individual. PTSD is a condition observed more in women when compared to men.

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.

There is no age preference in this condition and it has been observed in all age groups. Causes of this syndrome include mainly physiological factors. The amygdala is a brain structure that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this condition. Its activation by threatening stimuli can lead to fear, which results in activation of its related structures including the locus ceruleus, periaqueductal gray, hypothalamus, and the nuclei parabrachial.

One inhibiting factor to amygdala activation is the orbitofrontal cortex. Hippocampus also acts to regulate the amygdala. Patients who suffer from PTSD show have orbitofrontal cortex that is unable to effectively stop the activation or stimulation of amygdale owing to atrophy induced by stress. These changes in the brain eventually subject the people who experienced horrible events to begin suffering from the mental problems like nightmares and flashbacks.

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.

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.

At times, it might even take months of years before one presents with symptoms. This syndrome may also have an impact on personal appearance and hygiene. Patients may show somatic symptoms such as general body weakness and malaise. Some patients develop complications, which range from psychiatric to medical. Its consequences can range from placid to severe and affect the lifestyle of the patient in a big way. Other patients may engage in using drugs or alcohol substances.

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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