Breakthrough Trauma Treatments
Trauma experience, traumatic events and their associated symptoms look very different for each of us, so it’s sensible to assume that treatment options, be that medical intervention, lifestyle changes or more holistic healing options, would also differ from person to person. What works or resonates for one might not be appropriate for another. In this article, we outline three breakthrough trauma treatments – EMDR, EFT and Microdosing.
EMDR – A Breakthrough Trauma Treatment
What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is a phased and focused approach to treating trauma and other symptoms like anxiety by reconnecting the traumatised person in a safe and measured way to the emotions, self-thoughts, images and body sensations associated with the trauma. Allowing the natural healing powers of the brain to move toward resolution.
EMDR is based on the idea that symptoms occur when trauma and other negative or challenging experiences overwhelm the brain’s natural ability to heal. EMDR’s healing process can be completed through bilateral stimulation while the client re-experiences the trauma in a safe environment, like a therapist’s office.
“It (EMDR) identifies and addresses traumatic experiences that have overwhelmed the brain’s natural coping capacity, and, as a result, have created traumatic symptoms, such as flashbacks or anxiety, or harmful coping strategies, such as isolating behaviour and self-medication with alcohol or drugs,”
Romas Buivydas, PhD, LMHC, vice president of clinical development for Spectrum Health Systems.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR allows individuals to safely reprocess traumatic information until it is no longer psychologically disruptive to their lives. The process takes time (multiple sessions) until exposure to traumatic memories no longer induces negative feelings and distressing symptoms like anxiety.
EMDR has eight phases of treatment:
- History taking
- Client preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitisation
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Revaluation of treatment effect
During each EMDR session, the person being treated focuses on a disruptive memory and identifies the belief they hold about themselves. Connecting the negative memory to the belief allows the person to change their view of themselves by learning to associate it with a positive belief instead.
Through this process, all the sensations and emotions (including anxiety) associated with the memory are identified. The individual then reviews the memory while focusing on an external stimulus that creates rapid (or bilateral) eye movement. After each set of bilateral movements (usually involving both eyes), the individual is asked how they feel.
This process continues until all trauma has been processed and the memory is no longer disturbing. The chosen positive belief is then “installed” via bilateral movement to replace the negative belief.
It is hypothesised that EMDR is effective because the “bilateral stimulation” bypasses the area of the brain that processes memories and has become stuck due to the trauma. When a difficult or traumatising memory is stuck, it prevents the brain from properly processing and storing the memory.
The EMDR experience results in increased insight regarding both previously disturbing events and the negative thoughts about themselves that have grown out of the original traumatic event.
EFT – A Breakthrough Trauma Treatment
What is EFT?
Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an alternative treatment for emotional distress and physical pain. EFT is also referred to as psychological acupressure or tapping.
People who use this method believe tapping the body can create balance in your energy system and treat pain—developed by Gary Craig, who explains that a disruption in energy is the cause of all negative emotions and pain.
Though still in its infancy with more research required, EFT tapping has been used to treat people with trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
Does EFT Work?
Like acupuncture, EFT focuses on energy hot spots or meridian points to restore your body’s energy balance. It is thought that restoring this energy balance may alleviate the symptoms that a negative experience or emotion may have caused.
EFT is based on Chinese medicine, where meridian points are believed to be areas of the body where energy flows through. These pathways help balance energy flow helping to maintain your health by influencing any disease or sickness imbalance.
Like with acupuncture needles, which apply pressure to these energy points, EFT uses tapping with the fingertip to apply pressure.
Advocates say tapping helps you to access your body’s energy, sending signals to the part of the brain that controls stress. Its believed that stimulating the meridian points through EFT tapping can reduce the stress you may feel from your issue, ultimately rebalancing your disrupted energy.
Breakthrough Anxiety Disorder Treatment – EFT
What is EFT?
Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an alternative treatment for emotional distress and physical pain. EFT is also referred to as psychological acupressure or tapping.
People who use this method believe tapping the body can create balance in your energy system and treat pain—developed by Gary Craig, who explains that a disruption in energy is the cause of all negative emotions and pain.
Though still in its infancy with more research required, EFT tapping has been used to treat people with trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
Does EFT Work?
Like acupuncture, EFT focuses on energy hot spots or meridian points to restore your body’s energy balance. It is thought that restoring this energy balance may alleviate the symptoms that a negative experience or emotion may have caused.
EFT is based on Chinese medicine, where meridian points are believed to be areas of the body where energy flows through. These pathways help balance energy flow helping to maintain your health by influencing any disease or sickness imbalance.
Like with acupuncture needles, which apply pressure to these energy points, EFT uses tapping with the fingertip to apply pressure.
Advocates say tapping helps you to access your body’s energy, sending signals to the part of the brain that controls stress. Its believed that stimulating the meridian points through EFT tapping can reduce the stress you may feel from your issue, ultimately rebalancing your disrupted energy.
5 Steps in EFT tapping
EFT tapping can be separated into five steps. The sequence can be repeated if you have more than one issue or fear to address.
1. Identify the issue
For this to be effective, you must first identify your fear or issue. This will be your focal point while tapping. Focusing on one problem at a time enhances your outcome.
2. Test the initial intensity
After you identify your issue, you need to set a benchmark level of intensity. The intensity level assesses the physical pain or emotional discomfort you feel from your focal issue. The level of intensity is rated on a scale from zero to ten, with ten being the most difficult or worst. Monitor your progress by establishing a benchmark.
3. The setup
You need to appoint a phrase that defines what you’re trying to address. It must concentrate on two goals:
- acknowledging the issues
- accepting yourself despite the problem
The typical setup phrase is: “Even though I have this [fear or issue], I deeply and completely accept myself.”
You can alter this phrase to fit your problem, ensuring you are focusing on your problems, not someone else’s. Focus on how the problem makes you feel in order to relieve the distress it causes.
4. EFT tapping sequence
There are 12 major meridians that correspond to an internal organ and mirror each side of the body. However, EFT mainly focuses on these nine:
1. karate chop (KC): small intestine meridian
2. top of the head (TH): governing vessel
3. eyebrow (EB): bladder meridian
4. side of the eye (SE): gallbladder meridian
5. under the eye (UE): stomach meridian
6. under the nose (UN): governing vessel
7. chin (Ch): central vessel
8. beginning of the collarbone (CB): kidney meridian
9. under arm (UA): spleen meridian
Start by tapping the karate chop point while simultaneously recounting your setup phrase three times. Then, tap each following point seven times, proceeding down the body in this ascending order:
1. eyebrow
2. side of the eye
3. under the eye
4. under the nose
5. chin
6. beginning of the collarbone
7. under the arm
After tapping the underarm point, complete the sequence at the top of the head point.
While tapping, recite a reminder phrase to keep your focus on your problem. If your setup phrase is, “Even though I am sad my mum is sick, I profoundly and thoroughly accept myself,” your reminder phrase could be, “The sadness I feel that my mum is sick.” Recite this at each tapping point. Repeat this sequence two or three times.
5. Test the final intensity
At the end of your sequence, place your intensity level on a scale from zero to ten. Compare your results with your initial intensity level. Repeat this process until you reach zero.
Breakthrough Anxiety Disorder Treatment – Microdosing
What is Microdosing?
Naturally occurring psychedelic substances like psilocybin extract from mescaline and magic mushrooms have been used for their therapeutic health influences for thousands of years. The classification of psychedelic substances such as psilocybin and LSD as ‘drugs of abuse’ without any medical use has, however, restricted research on the therapeutic effects of these substances.
There has been renewed interest recently in the potential use of psychedelic drugs to treat anxiety, depression, trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSD). For example, psilocybin has shown promise in treating individuals with anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders.
These studies have typically used regular doses of psilocybin that produce euphoric and hallucinogenic effects. However, in some cases, the use of regular doses of psilocybin has produced unpleasant and terrifying experiences, hence the adoption and practice of microdosing.
Microdosing involves consuming small amounts of psychedelic substances that ensure hallucinogenic effects are not experienced. In most cases, a microdose uses about 10% of the regular dose of psilocybin. This is the equivalent of about 100-300 milligrams of dried mushrooms, consumed around 2-5 times weekly.
A number of studies have been completed that have looked into the benefits of microdosing. One particular study published in the journal Scientific Reports showed that microdosing with psilocybin resulted in greater improvements in mood and mental health than in people who did not partake in microdosing.
In summary, microdosing refers to regularly using small amounts of psychedelic substances that do not mar cognitive function.
Microdosing Benefits
Current research on microdosing primarily focuses on self-reported use and benefits; it is hoped that with upcoming clinical trials, further insights will be gained.
Participants who responded to research surveys noted enhanced performance and productivity as one of the main reasons behind their microdosing. More specific benefits included:
- a boost to creativity
- improved mood
- increased energy
- heightened concentration and focus
Conclusion
Remember that there is not a ‘one size fits all’ treatment approach in terms of anxiety disorder treatment, and it is always advisable to seek advice from your GP before commencing any new treatment/therapy options. But be sure to keep an open mind, and if something is not working for you, don’t be discouraged; keep trying till you find the right treatment that works for you.