How EMDR Therapy Can Help with Postpartum PTSD
Bringing a child into the world is often described as one of the most beautiful and life-changing experiences a person can have. However, for some new mothers, the transition into motherhood is far from blissful. Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that affects a significant number of women after childbirth. Fortunately, there is a therapy that can offer hope and healing to those who suffer from this condition: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
In this blog, we will explore what Postpartum PTSD is, how EMDR Therapy works, and the ways in which EMDR can be a valuable tool in helping new mothers recover and reclaim their lives.
Understanding Postpartum PTSD
Postpartum PTSD is a type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that occurs following childbirth. It can affect women who have experienced a traumatic birth, including complications, medical emergencies, or a perceived threat to their own or their baby's life during labor and delivery. Symptoms of Postpartum PTSD can be severe and may include:
Intrusive memories: Vivid and distressing flashbacks of the traumatic birth experience that intrude on a woman's thoughts and disrupt her daily life.
Avoidance and numbing: Avoidance of situations or reminders of the traumatic event, emotional numbness, and detachment from loved ones.
Hyperarousal: Persistent feelings of anxiety, irritability, and exaggerated startle responses, often leading to sleep disturbances.
Negative changes in mood and thinking: Negative thoughts about oneself, others, and the world, coupled with a sense of guilt or blame for the traumatic event.
Difficulty bonding with the baby: Mothers with Postpartum PTSD may struggle to connect with and care for their newborn due to their emotional turmoil.
EMDR Therapy: An Overview
EMDR Therapy is a psychotherapy approach developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It was initially designed to treat individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder but has since been adapted for various other conditions, including Postpartum PTSD. The central concept of EMDR is that traumatic memories can become "stuck" in the brain, leading to emotional distress and symptoms similar to those seen in Postpartum PTSD.
The EMDR therapeutic process involves several key components:
History-taking: The EMDR Therapist conducts a comprehensive assessment to understand the client’s history, the traumatic event, and the symptoms experienced.
Preparation: The EMDR Therapist helps the client develop coping strategies and relaxation techniques to manage emotional distress during the therapy.
Desensitization: This phase involves processing the traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation. During EMDR Therapy, clients are asked to recall distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in rhythmic eye movements, sounds, or taps. This bilateral stimulation is thought to help "unstick" the traumatic memories and allow them to be processed more adaptively.
Installation: Positive beliefs and self-statements are introduced to replace negative cognitions associated with the traumatic event. This step aims to promote healing and resilience.
Body Scan: The EMDR Therapist guides the client in identifying and releasing any residual tension or physical sensations associated with the traumatic memories.
Reevaluation: The EMDR Therapist assesses the client’s progress and ensures that the traumatic memories are no longer as distressing as before.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help with Postpartum PTSD
Now that we have a basic understanding of EMDR Therapy, let's explore how it can be an effective tool in helping mothers with Postpartum PTSD:
Trauma Processing: EMDR Therapy can facilitate the processing of traumatic memories associated with childbirth. By reprocessing these memories, the emotional charge attached to them can be significantly reduced, allowing mothers to regain emotional balance.
Symptom Reduction: EMDR Therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of Postpartum PTSD, including intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, and hyperarousal. This can lead to a significant improvement in overall mental health and well-being.
Improved Bonding: Mothers with Postpartum PTSD often struggle to bond with their newborns due to the emotional distress they experience. EMDR Therapy can help alleviate these distressing emotions, making it easier for mothers to connect with and care for their babies.
Enhanced Self-Esteem: Negative self-beliefs and feelings of guilt or blame are common in Postpartum PTSD. EMDR Therapy can help replace these negative beliefs with more positive and adaptive ones, leading to improved self-esteem and self-worth.
Long-Term Benefits: EMDR Therapy is not just about symptom relief; it also focuses on building resilience and promoting psychological healing. This can help mothers not only recover from Postpartum PTSD but also thrive in their roles as parents and individuals.
Postpartum PTSD is a challenging condition that can have profound effects on a mother's mental health and well-being. However, EMDR Therapy offers a promising path to recovery by addressing the root of the problem – the traumatic memories associated with childbirth. Through a structured and evidence-based approach, EMDR Therapy can help mothers process these memories, reduce symptoms, and ultimately regain control of their lives.
Janine Kelly, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S™, PMH-C, C-DBT, CBT-C, ADHD-CCSP, ASDCS, CCATP-CA, CATP, is a neurodivergent Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist and the Founder of True Reflections Mental Health Services in Middlesex, NJ. With her lived experience and role as a mother, Janine brings a unique and compassionate perspective to her practice. She specializes in supporting parents during the prenatal and postpartum period who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Additionally, she provides Neurodiversity Affirming Comprehensive ADHD & Autism Evaluations both in-person and virtually throughout New Jersey.
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