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PTSD, EMDR, Nervous system Jenny Smith PTSD, EMDR, Nervous system Jenny Smith

How Does PTSD Affect the Brain?

No matter how hard someone may try to block out any thoughts, feelings, or associations with the trauma, trauma will find its way back into the present moment. 

After a traumatic event, both the body and brain tend to hold onto the defense mechanisms that were put in place, causing a person to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The body and mind fail to recognize if and when the perceived threat has passed.  

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How EMDR Works in the Brain

It can be hard to know how to deal with trauma. EMDR is a good option. They tell us it’s efficient. They tell us it’s surprisingly fast. But it’s hard to know what exactly it entails. Sure, we’re told it involves moving our eyes right to left on and on until the memories stop evoking distress, but that doesn’t explain how EMDR works. Not really.

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What to Expect After Your First EMDR Session

When we’re used to talking therapy, EMDR can be a little scary. After all, talking therapies don’t work by moving our eyes left and right while thinking of a traumatic memory. No, that’s not what we do in talking therapies. In those, we talk. It’s in the name.

There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. But EMDR truly is helpful. It’s efficient. But it is a fairly new practice, and it’s so different from what we might know that it’s normal to be skeptical. That’s why it’s important to know what to expect, not just from the first session but what will happen afterward, too

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What are the 8 Phases of EMDR?

EMDR is very different from talk therapy. It requires less talking, for one. It usually takes less time to take effect than talk therapy, yet it’s still considered very effective, especially for people dealing with trauma

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