Childhood Trauma is being neglected or abused by our family and the experience of helplessness is what cements memories of these experiences permanently, so we re-experience them over and over. As children, we are more likely to be helpless around abusive adults, so Childhood Trauma is often referred to a Complex or Developmental Trauma. EMDR helps us release fixed memories so they can be desensitized, have meaning changed and then allowed to integrate in our brain or be deleted.

Signs and Symptoms of Unresolved Trauma

Memories of trauma can affect us at many stages of life. People tend to hide the truth, as it is easier then being aware of what has really happen in their past. However, there are some noticeable signs that may be shown in their daily life, which can unveil what has occurred in the past. These include:

• Anxiety or panic attacks that occur in what would be considered normal situations
• A feeling of shame; an innate feeling that they are bad, worthless, or without importance
• Suffering from chronic or ongoing depression
• Practicing avoidance of people, places, or things that may be related to the traumatic event; this also can include an avoidance of unpleasant emotions
• Flashbacks, nightmares, and body memories regarding the traumatic event
• Addiction and eating disorders in an attempt to escape or numb negative emotions
• Sleeping issues including trouble going to sleep or staying asleep
• Suffering from feelings of detachment, or feeling “dead inside” (This is perhaps the most devastating of the signs, because it creates a feeling of loneliness and isolation.)
• Dissociation as a real disconnect in situations and conversations
• Hypervigilance (a constant feeling of being on guard)
• Suicidal thought or actions
• Uncontrollable anger; acting on it
• Self-harm, cutting, and mutilation
• Not being able to tolerate conflicts as they once would have
• Unexplained or irrational fears of people, places, or things