Healing from trauma or other distressing life experiences with EMDR

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that enables

people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life

experiences. EMDR Therapy is based on the idea that negative thoughts, feelings and

behaviours stem from unprocessed memories from stressful or traumatic experiences.

EMDR was first utilised to successfully treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and is

now the most thoroughly researched method used in the treatment of trauma. EMDR has

also been used to effectively treat a wide range of mental health problems, including: anxiety

and panic attacks; depression; stress; phobias; sleep problems; complicated grief; addictions;

pain relief; self-esteem and performance anxiety.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR utilises the natural healing ability of your body, to process memories and feelings that

are “stuck” or stored in the limbic system (emotional part) of your brain in a “raw” and

emotional form. Often this occurs due to your natural coping mechanism becoming

overloaded, at the time of the distressing or overwhelming event.

Memories stored in this way are disconnected from the brain’s cortex (logical part of the

brain), and the painful feelings such as anxiety, panic, anger or despair are continually

triggered in the present.

EMDR helps to create the connections between your brain’s memory

networks, enabling your brain to process the traumatic memory in a very natural way. Eye

movements, similar to those that occur during REM sleep, are used to facilitate the brain’s

natural processing, and you remain fully alert and in control throughout.

Through this process, the memory tends to change in such a way that it loses it’s painful

intensity. Other associated memories may also heal at the same time. Most people

experience EMDR as being a natural and empowering therapy.

Further information can be found on the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA) website -

https://emdraa.org/emdr-resources/

Natalie Avery, Clinical Psychologist

5 Things You Might Not Know about Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can be distressing and debilitating for those who experience it.

As if that isn’t enough, BPD is also regularly misunderstood, with many myths and misconceptions associated with BPD.

Unfortunately, much of what we have learned about BPD through research has only been amassed in recent years. This means many people, including health practitioners, might not be up to speed.

Here are 5 things you might not know:

  1. It’s treatable. Yes. The therapies most supported by research are DBT (intensive, with regular group and individual sessions) followed DBT (individual sessions only) and then Schema Therapy, which have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms.

  2. Early intervention is ideal. So often people with some signs of BPD have been turned away from treatment services for not having “enough symptoms” to meet diagnosis and/or reluctance to label young teens with BPD. But early intervention is not only showing great promise, it is strongly recommended, with a recent call to eliminate taboo, reduce gate-keeping, and make treatment available for anyone showing signs. Early signs can be identified as young as 12 (right up to age 25). Why not provide help as early as possible? The sooner the better.

  3. Personality and BPD symptoms are far more changeable across the lifespan than we first thought. This means learning, changing, and recovery are possible at any age! But the earlier we intervene, the easier those changes will be to implement and maintain. Many people with BPD have been diagnosed late, after much misdiagnosis, various treatments, and service experiences, which can mean they can feel disillusioned and may even have been harmed by our health systems. It’s not fun to have BPD as it is; we need to provide better services and treatment.

  4. BPD is more heritable than Depression. Let me repeat that: Borderline Personality Disorder is more heritable (i.e., has a stronger genetic contribution) than depression! This means, parents who can feel extreme guilt, shame, and self-blame, can let go of some of that and look to the genes. Although, relationships are extremely important in the treatment of BPD, especially for teens and young adults, so where possible, positive parent/carer or family involvement can be invaluable.

  5. While trauma is a common risk factor, we now know there are many pathways to BPD and should not rule out BPD if the person has never experienced trauma. For example, 15-25% of people with BPD report nil history of trauma. So… more spotting of early signs, less gate-keeping of services, and more early intervention!

Above all, we need to give people with BPD dignity, better information, support, and earlier, effective treatment. If you have BPD or some BP signs, see your GP today to discuss options and treatment plans.

If you want to learn more, here is a great list of myths associated with BPD: https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/borderline-personality-disorder

The BPD Foundation also have an excellent resource library on BDP here: https://bpdfoundation.org.au/virtual-library.php


Renae Kurth, Director/Clinical Psychologist

Mind & Body Psychology acknowledges the Jagerra and Turrbal peoples as the first inhabitants and traditional custodians of the land where we live, learn, and work. We pay our respects to the Elders, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

The Director of Mind & Body Psychology contributes 3% of her salary to: Pay the Rent (Aboriginal Grassroots Initiative), IndigenousX (Indigenous owned media outlet), the Westerman Jilya Indigenous Scholarship (scholarships to support the training of more Indigenous psychologists), and Bush Heritage (a not-for-profit that purchases land and partners with traditional owners to restore and protect Country).