PTSD & Getting Unstuck in the Past
Do you feel like you’re constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop? PTSD can make the present moment feel like a minefield of triggers.
Ways PTSD can show up in our daily lives:
Flashbacks or "intrusive" memories that feel like they're happening now.
Avoidance of certain people, places, or conversations.
Physical symptoms: racing heart, difficulty sleeping, or being easily startled.
Think of traumatic memories as files that never made it into the filing cabinet. Because they weren't 'processed' correctly at the time of the event, they remain stuck in the present, causing your brain and body to stay on high alert.
With EMDR, we don't just help you file these memories away properly in the past; we also clear out the 'misinformation' attached to them—like the belief that you are still in danger or that the event was your fault.
Complex PTSD, or C-PTSD, occurs when a person experiences traumatic events that are truly, or perceived as, inescapable such as those in abusive relationships or children experiencing abuse or neglect. Individuals with C-PTSD often carry profound feelings of shame or guilt, struggling with emotional dysregulation that manifests as intense mood swings or chronic feelings of emptiness. These early, prolonged experiences also impact the ability to form secure, trusting bonds, often leading to challenges with intimacy, boundaries, and relationship stability in adulthood.
