Tuesday, 28 October 2014

Treating Patients By Using EMDR Therapy For PTSD

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.

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.

Individual vulnerability is also contributed by aftermath factors such as social support from relatives, hyperarousal aspects, and re-experiences. Patients are likely to experience signs and symptoms such as negative moods or feeling, re-experiencing of such bad events, consequential numbness, avoidance, and hyperarousal. For one to be effectively diagnosed of this condition, he or she must display some or all of the signs for a period of more than a month following the event.

The chances of developing the disorders are also determined by hyperarousal as well as re-experiences. In order for a patient to show positive results from examination, they have to display some or all of these signs for about 30 days after the terrifying event. However, the period may vary significantly.

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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