PTSD

BBC News (bbc.com) reports a study where nearly a third of 18 year olds had experienced childhood trauma. 25% of them developed symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including insomnia, flashbacks, avoidance, guilt, irritability, impulsivity, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of isolation. The BBC article notes that many people wrongly think PTSD only affects people in the military. It goes on to describe a young woman who developed PTSD as a result of surgery she endured as an infant. "People don't really associate PTSD with a young child - and that has to change," she said.

Here's the full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-47317891

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is quite a mouthful to say. More importantly, it's one of the most extensively researched, efficacious treatments available for trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR is believed to work similarly to the processing that occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. It helps us process things that are too overwhelming for the conscious mind to make sense of.

I'm excited to report that I recently completed a 50-hour training approved by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). The clients I've used it with so far are in agreement - it works. I also use Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)/Tapping a lot, and that works for a lot of people too. While the mechanics are different (bilateral eye movements vs. tapping on energy meridian points), there are a lot of similarities between the two.

2018 is shaping up to a big year for continuing education. In February, I completed training in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)/Tapping. Then in April, I traveled to Toronto to learn a process called Matrix Reimprinting that extends EFT to sort of reprogram past traumas. In September, I'll begin a course in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), another highly effective trauma technique.

Here's an article I wrote for ADDitude Magazine about EFT.  While the article is ADHD-specific, EFT can be used to treat a wide variety of physical and psychological problems. 

"From food cravings to lack of motivation, Emotional Freedom Techniques neutralizes negative emotions and frees you to move forward in life."  Here's the rest: https://www.additudemag.com/eft-adhd-tap-away-negative-emotions/