EMDR Therapy for Trauma Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Beverley Sinclair Hypnotherapist
Mar 14, 2023
4 min read

Signs of Relationship Trauma

Ending an abusive relationship is just one step in the process of healing from an unhealthy situation.

Relationship trauma can include feelings of rage and anger toward the abusive partner. In the aftermath, a person may experience distressing thoughts or feelings, cognitive difficulties, and re-experiencing of trauma. Some research suggests lingering psychological, and relational challenges.

Signs of relationship trauma can include:

Flashbacks: Flashbacks are vivid, intrusive thoughts related to a traumatic situation. They can be incredibly distressing and cause a person to feel as if they are reliving an event. These intrusions may be repetitive and unwanted.
Feelings of fear or distress: A person may experience anger, fear, stress, or anxiety in the relationship. This can lead to avoidance of the triggering situation, event, or person.
Guilt and shame: Feelings of guilt and shame can make a person feel isolated from or detached from others. Establishing meaningful relationships may prove complicated, as these emotions may be accompanied by hopelessness, stress, anger, or fear.
Nightmares: Relationship trauma can cause sleep disturbances. A person may struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. Additionally, frightening or disturbing dreams related to the content of the trauma may occur.
Trust difficulties: Establishing meaningful relationships may prove complicated, as the nature of the abusive relationships can instil mistrust with self and others.
Feelings of suspicion: The violation of emotional, physical, or sexual boundaries that can occur in an abusive relationship can breed deep mistrust in and suspicion of others. As a result, an individual may be hypervigilant of their surroundings and interactions with others.

Abusive and harmful behaviours cause an imbalance of power and equality in a relationship. It also diminishes safety, which creates a persistent fear of experiencing abuse or extreme anxiety about abuse in other relationships.

Some ways in which an abusive partner creates unhealthy and dangerous dynamics include:

Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
Belittling, insulting, or bullying behaviours
Threatening to harm a partner or loved ones
Emotionally and physically isolating a partner from their support system
Limiting a partner's autonomy or ability to make choices for themselves and act with agency
Controlling their finances or other means of being independent
Intimidation with weapons
Destruction of personal property
Keeping a partner from being able to seek help when needed
Gaslighting (manipulating reality to make a partner question themselves)
Stonewalling (not communicating with a partner or giving them the "silent treatment")
Love bombing (attempting to influence a partner through shows of love and affection)

Trauma Bonding Sometimes in an abusive relationship, trauma can occur. This happens when the partner experiencing abuse feels an attachment to the abusive partner. Feelings of sympathy toward the abusive partner may lead the other to rationalize or justify their behaviour which can perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

How to Heal From Relationship Trauma

Relationship trauma does not develop overnight, so it's important to keep in mind that healing may take some time. This process can be complex and multifaceted, often requiring patience and commitment. Recognizing that recovery is a journey rather than a destination is crucial for those who have experienced such trauma. Strategies to focus on during the healing process can include:

Cultivating an environment that feels emotionally and physically safe. This involves creating spaces where you can express your feelings without fear of judgment or retribution. It may mean surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family who respect your healing process and understand your needs. Additionally, ensuring that your physical space is comforting and free from reminders of past traumas can significantly aid in your recovery.
Identifying and establishing boundaries. Understanding limits and clearly communicating them to others in the healing process. This can help protect your emotional well-being and foster healthier relationships moving forward. Boundaries can take many forms, such as deciding who you want to spend time with, what topics are off-limits for discussion, or how much time you need for yourself.
Building a support system with trusted individuals. Surrounding yourself with people who genuinely care about your well-being can provide a strong foundation for healing.
Having a network of support allows you to feel less isolated and more understood as you navigate your healing journey.
Seeking professional help from a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Engaging with a mental health professional can provide you with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the complexities of relationship trauma and can release endorphins that improve mood and help alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression. Therapy can offer a safe space to explore your feelings, gain insights into your experiences, and develop coping mechanisms tailored to specific situations.

Through EMDR therapy, people can discover a path to regain control of their lives, liberated from the weight of past traumas. If you or someone you know is dealing with these issues, consider taking the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling future.

Traumatic events such as physical or sexual abuse, violence, and accidents can obstruct recovery. EMDR helps by stimulating both the left and right sides of the brain through eye movements that follow hand gestures while you remember the distressing memories. To ensure the process is as non-traumatic as possible, I aim to provide a safe environment where your comfort and mental well-being are top priorities.

One area of this growth is the treatment of anxiety and anxiety related issues such as panic attacks or phobias. While many anxiety treatments help you deal with the symptoms of anxiety, EMDR therapy can help you address the root cause of your anxiety or fear.

EMDR therapy can also be used to effectively help you deal with depression. Often times depression can be a symptom of other problems in your life, and EMDR therapy can help you work through those problems that are adding to your depression.

Some of the important areas that EMDR therapy can be helpful include: