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Coping - Transition and Soldiers Coping with War Experiences.....
Emotional Freedom Technique and PTSD
PTSD AND YOU
There have been quite a few articles in the papers lately about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the numbers of military personnel who are so affected. But, not too much has been written about what PTSD is and who it affects.
PTSD is not primarily a military disorder. It can affect anyone who has experienced a mental or physical trauma, such as being embarrassed in a social, personal or professional situation, a series of bad personal relationships, having been involved in an accident, or the victim of an assault or criminal act, or in a life threatening situation. This also includes family members, spouses and children who have experienced fear reactions to a spouse being sent to a combat zone.
There are three types of PTSD:
Intrusive: When the person: separates from family, friends, coworkers; experiences flashbacks to the incident; emotions and memories keep recurring; and experiences nightmares and night terrors.
Avoidance: When the person tries to avoid: emotions; relationships; taking responsibility for others; and situations similar to the traumatic event.
Hyper-arousal: When the person: Over-reacts to situations; has explosive outbursts; is irritable; is constantly on guard; panics; or has sleep disturbances.
Intrusive type of PTSD: Memories and emotions interfere with the normal interactions with other people. The flashbacks are visual and auditory and are triggered by stimuli that brings to mind an aspect of the event. Nightmares and night terrors are centered around the incident that is causing the PTSD.
Avoidance: the person tries to avoid any person or situation that will remind him of the event.
Hyper-arousal: the person is always on the alert for the danger or threat and are easily startled.
People who suffer from PTSD often turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to numb themselves and reduce the effects of PTSD. They develop phobias, easily become anxious, depressed, suffer from guilt, low self-esteem, experience panic attacks, and withdraw into themselves.
There are many different traditional and alternative treatments for PTSD. One alternative that has been used all over the world is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).
EFT, which was developed by Gary Craig, is derived from the Thought Field Therapy (TFT) process by Dr Roger Callahan. Both systems are based on the use of activating through tapping, the energy meridians on the body. These meridians points are similar to those used in Acupressure and Acupuncture.
The basic idea is that when we experience a trauma, there is a disruption in the flow of energy in the body. This is the result of the Autonomic Response our bodies make when confronted with a perceived danger. Quite often, after a time, the disruption in the energy flow dissipates and the energy flows normally. However, there are occasions when that doesn't occur, and the individual will re-experience the emotional upset when faced with a similar set of circumstances. In other words, they relive the experience, mentally and physically.
Tapping on the meridian points, while concentrating on the upset, stimulates the energy pathways and clears the "blockage." It may take more than one "round" of tapping to complete the clearance. There may also be aspects of the incident that need clearing, as well.
The beauty of the system is that it is easy to learn, easy to use, and, more importantly, is highly successful. Mr Craig used EFT with several Vietnam Veterans in 1994 at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles. After one week, the veterans were completely cleared of their emotional attachments to their experiences. EFT and TFT are so effective that they are being used around the world, and in some cases are the first techniques tried (Note: The VA personnel at Los Angeles didn't attend the sessions and did not express any interest in the process).
I have helped some law enforcement personnel who suffered PTSD from the incident at Columbine High School in the 90s, and prevented PTSD from forming by using EFT immediately after a shooting incident.
That is the value of the EFT system, not only can it clear PTSD, but it can PREVENT PTSD.
I have documentation of the effectiveness of the technique and am trying to get it into the military system, thus far no such luck.
I am also looking for someone in the Denver, CO, area who would be willing to be filmed while experiencing EFT for PTSD symptoms.
For further information contact me at 303-884-3566
John Garrett
