Caused from many forms of trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common among teens who have experienced abuse and neglect. PTSD causes extreme anxiety and triggers memories of past events. There are many ways to effectively manage PTSD anxiety symptoms, as well as therapeutic methods that help those with PTSD process the past. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the best treatments for teen PTSD.
EMDR is a unique form of therapy that helps bring to awareness things from the past that continue to influence the present, and then it helps to reprogram the physical and psychological responses to traumatic triggers. EMDR evokes memories of the past, while using rapid eye-movements, sensory stimulation, and desensitization to expose what’s going on in the body and the mind during the recall of the memory.
The more memories from the past are processed and recognized, the less they suddenly impact and imbalance life. While EMDR is very powerful, it’s also painful and difficult to live through past trauma again, especially for teenagers who are also going through the journey of becoming an adult at the same time.
Those who go through EMDR are faced with the deepest parts of the self, from immersing into the emotions, sights, and sounds of traumatic events to dredging-up and dealing with the emotions related to other people involved in the trauma. EMDR also exposes the negative thought patterns that are believed about the self about in relation to the traumatic experiences. The process goes into the roots and deepest parts of the psyche, until the negativity is revealed, oftentimes in moments of revelation.
The benefits of EMDR in particular, and PTSD treatment in general, are transforming, which can in turn change the course of a teen’s life, well into their adulthood. By understanding the past, it helps to put focus on the future, and how it can be better. It can also provide a storehouse of more positive thoughts about the self, which are the essential tools for dealing with triggers and anxiety.
Just remember, if your teen has experienced trauma, the most important thing you can provide other than therapeutic services is your love, patience, and acceptance. Contact us today, and we’ll help your teen get started on the path of balance and healing.