The brain much like the body has an innate capacity for healing. However, like the body when the brain is overwhelmed, or the injury is too great it may need help to heal. With the body a cut to the arm may become infected and need antibiotics. It is at this point that the body can't facilitate the healing itself. Similarly, the brain when overwhelmed by a large trauma such as an accident or many small traumas may become overwhelmed and unable to heal itself, as such we may experience flashbacks, anxiety, depression and other difficult presentations need some additional help to heal.
Essentially the ‘past is becoming present’ so with triggers we are experiencing the difficulties we had in the past now. Experiences from the past become the “glasses” that we wear when we see the present.
With our usual day-to-day experience we've taken information in through sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. This information is processed in the brain where both sense and meaning are placed up on it. That information is then stored within the brain much like when you save a file on your computer. It can be recalled and opened when you want but this is within your control. When a large trauma or several small traumas happen it is like getting a bug or virus in the computer system whereby the mind/computer can’t store the memory/file and as such it repeats and replays causing distress in the present.
When a large trauma or several small traumas originally happen we experienced disturbing physical sensations and negative beliefs about ourselves. Through EMDR therapy and the use of bi lateral stimulation we can move towards more adaptive understanding that we are safe in the here and now, that what happened is in the past and we have more control in the present.
EMDR is a powerful Therapy and can significantly reduce distress in peoples lives where other therapies have failed leaving people feeling more relaxed, happier and safe.
If you would like to try EMDR therapy I can offer this online and across various sites in Cornwall, send me a message to find out more.