Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is an innovative and effective treatment for many mental health conditions and chronic physical pain conditions. EMDR is non-invasive, drug-free, risk-free and has no side effects.
What You Need to Know About EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy has proven successful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by processing traumatic memories without the need to revisit and talk at length about their traumatic experience/s. The process of EMDR therapy is slow and methodical, where the therapist helps retrain the brain’s responses related to the traumatic event.
EMDR therapy can also help with other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, panic attacks and even addiction. Traditional therapies for mental health issues focus on teaching coping skills or talk therapy but EMDR therapy focuses on rewiring the brain through a series of bilateral stimulation that includes eye movements, hand taps or tones.
It uses an eight-phase treatment protocol that includes phases for preparation, history taking and assessment; education about post traumatic stress disorder; imaginal exposure; body scan; grounding/reality orientation; installation of adaptive information (self-help skills); and closure.
Organisations, such as the American Psychiatric Association, the Department of Defence and the World Health Organisation have conducted numerous studies into EMDR therapy and it is accepted as one of the most effective trauma-focused treatments for treating trauma and other distressing events.
EMDR Therapy: Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model
EMDR therapy is based on the adaptive information processing (AIP) framework. When the original feelings, bodily sensations, and beliefs are kept, high levels of arousal can be an effect of disturbing life experiences and their memory.
A flashback, nightmare, or intrusive thought can be re-experienced in a setting that activates the memory. A wide range of adverse events have also contributed to varied symptomology, including the negative affective cognitive and somatic reactions.
The capacity to treat unprocessed memories has a wide range of applications in medicine since they are frequently associated with numerous health issues.
Get out of your head with EMDR
The Goal of EMDR Therapy
The goal of EMDR therapy is to assist the client to overcome the effects of a traumatic event or past traumatic experiences. This involves a set of standardised procedures that incorporates elements from a variety of treatment techniques and has helped millions of people from all walks of life overcome psychological trauma.
During EMDR therapy, the client focuses on what is distressing them while they receive bilateral stimulation or input that has nothing to do with those memories. For example, if someone was sexually abused as a child, they might be asked to tap their fingers in time to a specific rhythm while thinking about these traumatic memories.
The bilateral stimulation acts to help the brain to integrate these memories.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
When post traumatic stress disorder is triggered, it can be debilitating to everyday life for many people. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms are often very distressing and difficult to overcome, but treatment options, such as EMDR can help to alleviate some of these symptoms in the short term.
EMDR as a Treatment for PTSD
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing was developed by Francine Shapiro to treat traumatic memories and experiences. This multisensory input from EMDR therapy helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional impact and can be integrated into the person’s life without causing them the distress commonly associated with post traumatic stress disorder.
The traumatic symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder include flashbacks, nightmares, exaggerated startle reflex, hypervigilant and a range of other physical sensations.
When a person suffering from post traumatic stress disorder undergoes a successful course of EMDR treatment, they should be able to recover from these unpleasant and often debilitating symptoms enabling them to:
Have better control of their PTSD symptoms
Experience reduced anxiety symptoms
Improve the quality of their everyday life
Be able to move on from painful and traumatic memories
Experience better mental health and an improved sense of self.
EMDR therapy relieves affective distress, reformulates negative beliefs, and reduces physiological arousal. This takes place as the client engages in brief sequential doses of emotionally troubling material while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus during EMDR therapy.
EMDR is effective at stopping nightmares
Who can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
Standard benefits:
EMDR therapy is less expensive than traditional talk therapy.
EMDR therapy can be done in a shorter amount of time.
Emotional benefits:
Decreased or eliminated negative emotions
Redirected thinking / new perspectives on the traumatic events
Feelings of hope and self-empowerment
Physical benefits:
Reduction in physical symptoms
Sensory benefits:
Normalisation of sensory experiences (sound, sight, etc.)
Cognitive benefits:
Greater focus
Integration of past events into the present
Improved memory recall / new perspectives on traumatic memories
Behavioural benefits:
Ability to feel comfortable in one’s own skin
Additional benefits:
Better relationships
Improved sleep
Improved concentration
Less daily stress.
During EMDR therapy sessions, clients are greeted by a highly trained and knowledgeable practitioner. The sessions are always designed to meet the needs of each individual client. EMDR is comprehensive and includes an eight-phase treatment approach with a treatment focus on past, present and future experiences. The therapist is there to help create a safe, comfortable, and relaxed environment where clients can express themselves freely throughout their treatment.
EMDR can assist with a range of mental health challenges.
EMDR Therapy is More Than Just Trauma Treatment
EMDR therapy is generally known as an effective treatment for post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, trauma and other mental health conditions, but it has also been used effectively in the treatment of other conditions, including addiction. Using EMDR therapy for addictions can help overcome cravings and desires to use illicit substances or engage in certain addictive behaviours.
It can also help people who are trying to recover from drug overdoses or withdrawal symptoms caused by detoxing.
If you would like to learn more about eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing treatment for post traumatic stress disorder, or another mental health condition visit HERE
To book your appointment for EMDR therapy
or call us on 0434 415 575 or click the button below.
Shannon Bowman is the Director of SJB Clinical Consulting Pty Ltd,
and Create Balance Psychotherapy & Counselling VIEW HERE.
Create Balance Laser Therapy VIEW HERE
The ADHD Ambition Course.
Shannon has a clinical interest in treating trauma, PTSD and ADHD.
He is accredited as an Mental Health Social Worker AMHSW,
psychotherapist and registered EMDR practitioner. Associations below. Australian Association of Social Workers EMDR Association of Australia
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, and unease that causes physical changes in the human body, which impact the central nervous system. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in the United States, with 40 million adults experiencing an anxiety disorder each year.
Signs and symptoms of anxiety
Anxiety can cause chronic stress and comes from many diverse sources, such as work stress or traumatic life events. Anxiety often leads to physical symptoms such as headaches, tightness in the upper chest, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle tension and sleep problems. Therefore, it is important to recognise and decrease anxiety to avoid these, often debilitating, symptoms.
Anxiety causes your brain to be hyperactive
Anxiety is a stress response that triggers your brain to be on high alert and become hyperactive in response to potential dangers. When your brain and nervous system experience anxiety on a regular basis, your amygdala grows larger. The amygdala is a tiny almond-shaped structure located in the limbic system, the part of your brain that manages emotions and moods. The amygdala is the brain’s lookout, always on the lookout for threats. When the amygdala detects a potential hazard, it sends signals to the hypothalamus, which activates a fight-or-flight response. In an anxious mind, this triggers a person to have anxious thoughts and ‘feel anxious.’
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) GAD is characterised by excessive anxiety for no discernible reason. GAD, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), affects approximately 6.8 million Americans each year. When you have a moderate case, you should be able to go about your regular daily routines without difficulty. Severe cases of GAD will have a significant impact on a person’s life.
Social anxiety disorder Social anxiety disorder is an intense, chronic dread of social situations and being judged or humiliated by others. This severe social phobia makes one feel embarrassed and alone. According to the ADAA, 15 million US adults suffer from a social anxiety disorder. The typical age of onset is around 13 years old. More than a third of persons with a social anxiety disorder have experienced their symptoms for over 10 years.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) After witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, a person can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms might appear immediately or take years to appear. War, natural catastrophes, and physical assaults are some of the most common causes. PTSD episodes can be triggered without notice.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder A person with OCD may feel a strong urge to repeat particular behaviours (compulsions) excessively or have intrusive and unwanted thoughts or obsessions that cause distress. Common compulsions include excessive hand-washing, counting and checking something, fear of contamination, hostile urges, and a need for symmetry.
Phobias Some examples of phobias include a fear of the dark, skin irritation from bright light, fear of being alone, fear of heights, fear of flying, fear of spiders or snakes and fear of needles is another example. A person with a phobia will have a strong urge to avoid the feared thing or situation or feel an intense feeling of discomfort when confronted with it.
Panic disorder A person with a panic disorder may experience a panic attack, which is an extreme stress response that causes a sense of impending doom such as a fear of dying or loss of control, especially if it is linked to a specific event or situation. The physical symptoms associated with panic disorder can include heart palpitations and chest tightness, sweating or chills, shortness of breath and trembling.
These episodes can strike at any moment. Panic disorder is sometimes accompanied by another type of anxiety disorder called agoraphobia, which is an extreme or irrational fear of leaving one’s home, entering open or crowded places or being somewhere that is difficult to escape from.
Sympathetic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
The significant players in anxiety disorders include norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the central nervous system. The autonomic nervous system indirectly controls the sympathetic nervous system for autonomic failure.
As stated above, anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, and unease. However, anxiety can be helpful for some people who experience these feelings as a response to an impending challenge, such as before taking a test or exam, going to a job interview or on a first date.
Anxiety can also signal that something dangerous might happen and encourage the person to take precautions, such prepare for extreme weather events or ensuring safety. Anxiety becomes problematic when it lasts too long, is too intense, or includes physical symptoms besides fear.
The effects of anxiety on the body’s immune system
Anxiety can stimulate your flight-or-fight response, which releases a surge of chemicals and hormones, such as adrenaline, into your system. This raises your heart rate and breathing rate in the short term so that your brain can get more oxygen and prepares you for a critical situation.
Your immune system may even be temporarily strengthened as a result of stress. However, if you are constantly anxious and stressed, your body never receives the message to return to normal functioning. This can impair your immunological system, making you more susceptible to viral infections and acute illnesses. Furthermore, if you have anxiety, your usual vaccines may not be as effective.
Central nervous system anxiety
Anxiety results from an imbalance between the sympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for mobilising the body in response to stress or threat) and the parasympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for calming the body). Some of the major ways in which anxiety can affect your physical health are through its effects on digestion, the immune system, the heart, hormone levels and blood pressure (Yaribeygi, Panahi, Sahraei, Johnston & Sahebkar, 2017).
Symptom severity changes when stress levels become excessive and anxiety levels increase, it may help you cope less efficiently. Panic attacks show signs of intense anxiety. Brain maps display high beta brain waves on the right brain lobe. Anxiety causes overwhelming hyperactivity, and it is harder to reason.
Ways to calm your central nervous system anxiety
Research shows there are many ways to calm your central nervous system and elicit a relaxation response to improve your mental well being and control your anxiety. These include stress management techniques you can incorporate into your daily life and include:
Acknowledging your anxious thoughts is a powerful first step to calming yourself because it enables you to take action in one or more of the following ways.
Relaxation techniques enable you to slow down your body and brain by focusing on deep breathing exercises or meditation. It can also include creative visualisation or hypnosis.
Psychotherapy, which includes cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), helps you identify negative thoughts associated with your anxiety and replace them with positive thoughts.
Yoga, which helps you meditate while focusing solely on taking regular breaths. Yoga is a technique that has proven successful in reducing stress levels for those suffering from anxiety.
Regular physical exercise takes you out of your head and into your body, increasing self-confidence, improving mood, inducing a relaxation response, and improving sleep.
Mindfulness, which is a therapeutic technique whereby a calm mental state is achieved by focusing your awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations and helping you to feel peaceful.
Herbal remedies can help to calm a person suffering from anxiety. These include: ashwagandha root extract, chamomile flower extract, valerian, lavender, galphimia glauca, passionflower.
A GP or psychiatrist can provide medical advice on chemical treatments for anxiety, which include medications focused on serotonin production like serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
Photobiomodulation laser therapy involves shining infrared and near-infrared light onto targeted areas of the body, which then helps to stimulate, protect, repair and energise the body at a cellular level.
Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR), which involves the rapid movement of a client’s eyes, taxing their working memory and enabling them to reprogram their brain. This in turn alleviates and even extinguishes the continuing effects of painful thoughts and memories. As well as visual bilateral stimulation, EMDR can also use tactile and auditory stimulation. This therapeutic modality can be beneficial to clients who struggle to talk about their suffering.
Anxiety is a normal human emotion
The good news is that it’s important to remember that anxiety is a normal human emotion that we all experience from time to time and in one form or another. External and internal factors can cause anxiety but, moving forward, it is important to remember that anxiety is not always bad for your health. Anxiety is often an indicator of something more serious like life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease or cancer, so do not dismiss the feelings you are having if they persist over time.
Author.
Shannon Bowman is the Director of SJB Clinical Consulting Pty Ltd, Create Balance Psychotherapy & Counselling, and Create Balance Laser Therapy VIEW HERE
This blog is for those interested in eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, who wish to use cutting edge methods to relax their bodies. Auricular techniques activate the same mechanisms, which help with associative memory recall, through EMDR and restoration of dual attention, bypassing any requirement for cognitive involvement (e.g., prefrontal cortex).
The most valuable tool required for this technique, and one that every client has easy access to, is their ears.
The client’s brain maps their somatic and emotional experiences onto the ear.
EMDR practitioners can read the client’s ear and gain access to their somatic and emotional experiences.
Auricular therapy gives the therapist a ‘window into the brain’
Auricular therapy gives the therapist a ‘window into the brain’ and provides a dynamic and up to date neurological map of specific brain areas including the client’s sensory body experiences, the somatic unconscious, somatic memory networks and associated emotions.
Auriculotherapy creates a therapeutic alliance with the client. It has powerful effects on brain function, which facilitates retrieval of information normally inaccessible by other means.
Facilitating access to emotions: the neural signature of EMDR stimulation Clinical evidence theorises that EMDR stimulation triggers the brain to produce an electrical signal. The observed mechanism is not fully understood, but it is hypothesised to be related to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep inconsistency.
This neural signature of EMDR stimulation was observed in both healthy and clinical populations.
Positive outcomes for auricular based PTSD treatment
Successful studies show that auricular acupressure treatment can reduce symptoms of mental disorders, particularly anxiety disorders. Mental health implications auricular acupressure treatment for This includes generalised anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social phobias.
Auricular acupressure treatment has also proved beneficial in the management of conditions like insomnia and depression. Auricular therapy for anxiety disorders includes the use of auricular acupressure treatment with an ear candle, single needle acupoint injection, auriculotherapy with ear drops, auriculotherapy with electrotherapy, or auricular acupuncture.
The use of auricular therapy to treat anxiety disorders Treating mental disorders, such as anxiety, with auricular therapy is very safe with no known side effects or contraindications. Since auricular therapy does not require any medications, this form of treatment is a great alternative treatment compared to medications or treatments that involve surgery.
Auriculotherapy can be practiced by trained therapists and auriculotherapists without the requirement of advanced medical licensing. Auriculotherapists and auricular acupuncturists can practice auricular therapy in states that do not require licensure to practice auriculotherapy.
Auricular therapy is a non-invasive treatment for anxiety disorders Since auricular therapy is a non-invasive, well-tolerated treatment for anxiety disorders, the technique is an effective solution compared to conventional medical treatments such as chemical medications. This treatment is beneficial in providing symptom relief, without the side effects associated with benzodiazepines or other medications. Auricular Therapy is also a non-invasive and cost-effective treatment compared to other non-talk therapy-based interventions such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Improve EMDR treatment with your ear
The ear is a microsystem scientifically validated for assessment and treatment via neuroauricular modulation [13-15], by acupressure, acupuncture, electro-stimulation, laser, and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation or tVNS [12-15].
Over 30,000 medical doctors worldwide use neuro auricular modulation, and that number is fast growing. Auriculotherapy, also known as ear acupuncture, is a common treatment in Germany, where it is part of the national health care system. This technique of somatic therapy emphasises the importance of re-establishing energetic flow/regulation/dual attention when blocked.
Auricular treatments are drawn from auricular medicine, a medicine developed in France by the physician Paul Nogier and advanced in Europe by the research of Dr Frank Bahr, MD, and colleagues.
Effectiveness of neuromodulation techniques The effectiveness of neuromodulation techniques performed through the outer ear have been scientifically proven. This is because of the capacity to identify therapeutic specificity of auricular points, as linked to the somatotopic representation of the body and its ailments, as well as the ability to stimulate these points to influence specific aspects of the central nervous system.
From a health care professional’s perspective The use of ear-based auricular stimulation in mental health services, including the US Department of Veterans Affairs, for the treatment of pain, addiction, and trauma, is most evident in the validation of neuromodulation via the ear through therapeutic electrical transduction devices. These special applications are particularly relevant to psychology because scientists recognise that everything is energy. The use of ear-based auricular treatment provides direct feedback on what is keeping traumatic stress-related symptoms stuck.
Using auricular acupuncture treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD symptoms can impact a person’s life in a dramatic way. A research study found that acupuncture can help treat PTSD. Auricula acupuncture, combined with usual treatment methods, was found to reduce PTSD symptoms. The use of auricular acupuncture in conjunction with eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing treatment can also be an effective way to decrease PTSD symptoms and improve general psychological status.
Acupuncture for PTSD There are a multitude of auricular acupuncture points that specifically focus on different areas of the brain. For instance, there is a point located at the base of the ear, where the ear lobe attaches to the side of the head that is labelled the limbic point.
Improving mental health There are techniques that therapists can use in the treatment of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Auricular acupuncture, also known as Auriculotherapy stimulates specific points on the ear that help relieve symptoms associated with each mental disorder. Auriculotherapy is a safe, drug-free, and painless form of treatment with no side effects. Auriculotherapy provides the most dependable, clinically effective methods for treating various mental health disorders.
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing EMDR Geelong West
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing is a one-of-a-kind therapy that is particularly successful in the treatment of trauma. It can, however, help with other mental health problems including:
Anxiety
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD)
Substance abuse and addictions
Confidence concerns
Somatic and psychological symptoms
Relationship issues
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Phobias
Chronic grief
Chronic pain
How does eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing work? The goal of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing is to assist people with post-traumatic stress disorder by helping them re-experience past events without the associated emotional or physical distress. In these cases, the use of EMDR improves their mental health dramatically.
As the person focuses on a traumatic event, EMDR bypasses the trauma memory’s stored neural circuit by activating an alternative circuit through lateral eye movements. This activation of new neural circuits interrupts the out-of-control nerve impulses that maintain anxious or fearful thoughts.
Auricular techniques, as adjunctive therapy for EMDR, are used to activate the same mechanisms, shown to help with associative memory recall, through EMDR and restoration of dual attention, bypassing any requirement for cognitive (e.g., prefrontal cortex) involvement.
Shannon Bowman is director of Create Balance Psychotherapy and Counselling and leads neuro-auricular methods for EMDR at his practice in Geelong West. He has partnered with the Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine (CIAM) to enhance this dynamic and highly effective treatment for mental health conditions. Shannon’s passion is finding solutions to mental health problems through novel, innovative, complementary, and alternative medicine.
Author
Shannon Bowman is the Director of SJB Clinical Consulting Pty Ltd, and Create Balance Psychotherapy & Counselling VIEW HERE. Create Balance Laser Therapy VIEW HERE The ADHD Ambition Course. Shannon has a clinical interest in treating trauma, PTSD and ADHD. He is accredited as a Mental Health Social Worker AMHSW, psychotherapist and registered EMDR practitioner. Associations below. Australian Association of Social Workers EMDR Association of Australia
Do you suffer from anxiety?Do you experience chronic and debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? If so, then infrared laser treatment may be able to help. Infrared light therapy is a non-invasive procedure that has been proven to reduce the effects of PTSD and anxiety when used for appropriate lengths of time. This blog gives an overview of infrared laser treatments–what they are, how they work, where they’re available, and more. Read on for more information about this promising new technology Mitochondria were reactivated by infrared light, which subsequently triggered second messengers, DNA transcription and growth factors. The end result was the formation of new synaptites and the regeneration of existing pathways as well as the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into neurons. Intramural photobiomodulation, or infrared light source treatments, may offer significant improvements in mental health to people with mental health conditions.
Laser therapy for PTSD and anxiety
Photobiomodulation: encouraging results for mental health conditions
When compared to traditional therapies, such as medicine or psychotherapy alone, the beneficial effects of photobiomodulation have been encouraging. It also promotes neurogenesis, which can reduce long-term brain damage caused by inflammation.
Laser therapy: an alternative mental health treatmentIt is a myth that mental health is not real. In fact, according to the World Health Organisation, mental health conditions are the leading cause of employee absenteeism. Mental ill-health affects one in four people, yet the topic is taboo for a considerable number of Australians, with shame and stigma preventing those who need help from seeking it. People with mental health conditions often do not receive adequate treatment because they are unaware of laser therapy as an alternative modality or do not have access to care due to lack of insurance coverage or cost-prohibitive treatments. This could eventually change once more mental health providers start using innovative therapies as viable options for treating mental health conditions.
Geelong West
Targeting brain metabolism
Studies have shown hypometabolism in specific areas of the brain, especially those involved with regulation and emotional processing. In patients with major depressive disorder, positron emission tomography scans show disrupted glucose metabolism in several regions of the brain. Near infrared reflectance photons absorb cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This mitochondrial stimulation does not only increase the production of ATP but actively activates a signalling pathway through a brief burst of ROS. This signalling activates antioxidant defences reducing total oxidative pressure. Consequently, inflammation can reduce to levels of proinflammatory cytokine and neuroinflammation. The brain derived neurotrophic factor is upregulated.
Assessment of active points on the clients ear, using the RJ diagnostic probe.
Targeting neurogenesis
Chronic stress can damage the dentate gyrus dg, which is responsible for learning and memory. The stress-induced inhibition of neural development in the dg is the brain’s primary neurochemical axis of depression or stress. Major depressive patients tend to have significant hippocampal atrophy. In animal models, photobiomodulation protected mitochondrial membrane potential.
Brain derived neurotrophic factor
Near infrared reflectance also promotes neurite outgrowth through nerve growth factor, which may have positive implications for nerve protection. Near infrared reflectance (810nm) was beneficial in the animal model of traumatic brain injury. It appears that by enhancing neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in the brain, neurogenesis and synaptic synthesis is also improved.
Healing your brain with light
Mild traumatic brain injury
There is preliminary evidence suggesting the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy, shining light for treating major depressive disorder with comorbid anxiety problems, suicidal ideation, and traumatic brain injury. Based on the data so far, PBM appears to be a viable treatment for depression that is both safe and well-tolerated.
Low-level laser therapy
Laser therapy uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate the mitochondria in cells, which triggers cellular activity that can promote mental health benefits such as improved mood or reduced pain levels. The effects of laser therapy are similar to those found when someone exercises their muscles – but because mental health conditions are invisible, it is not always easy for mental health sufferers to get out and exercise or socialise. Near-infrared light, photobiomodulation, phototherapy, LED therapy, LED light therapy, infrared therapy, low-level laser therapy, or low-level light therapy.
RJ Physio Laser that we use in the clinic for mental health
Near-infrared light improves bodily functions
Laser therapy is a type of light treatment that affects the whole body and works on many levels. The cell’s primary energy source is adenosine triphosphate atp. The maturation of the mitochondrial membrane potential occurs through retrograde mitochondrial signaling, which reactive oxygen species control. This reaction requires water, opsins, chromophores, and cytochrome c oxidase.
Calcium, melatonin, and transcriptional regulators are all involved with the calcium-signaling pathway. Heat-shock proteins, Akt/mTOR/CyclinD1 pathway, and brain-derived neurotrophic factors are among the molecules that participate in the process.
Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) plays a key role in cellular life processes. It is necessary for cellular growth and function. The mechanism of this interaction has only recently become clear. During aging or disease states that cause oxidative stress or free radical formation, mitochondria are damaged. This triggers inflammation leading to the redox state.
Increase in endurance, toning of density muscles boosts endurance, tone strength brain enhances memory and immunity nerves: wound healing and pain relief tissue repairing bones, tendons, and sores improved hair growth collagen network health, anti-aging, skin disorders fat reabsorption aided by increased microcirculation.
Mental health conditions and the central nervous system
In addition, mental health conditions can have a significant impact on the central nervous system due to changes in neurotransmitters. These are chemicals that help send signals from one nerve cell to another so it is important for mental health providers to understand how near-infrared light, photobiomodulation works with mental illness so they can work together to provide mental health sufferers with the best treatment results.
Can photobiomodulation help anxiety?
Anxiety is a mental health disorder that can be hard to treat. The mental health industry has been slow to adopt new treatments, but this could change soon if more mental health providers start using photobiomodulation as a viable option for treating mental health conditions.
Photobiomodulation History
Health providers have used laser therapy since the 1960s to treat physical conditions such as pain. It is only recently that mental health practitioners have begun using laser therapy to treat mental health conditions.
Treating mental health conditions with laser therapy
Post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury are the most common mental health conditions that mental health providers treat using laser therapy.
Laser therapy for PTSD and Anxiety
Laser therapy can improve sleep
Laser therapy can help reduce pain, increase energy levels, improve sleep patterns, and boost memory function so people suffering from mental illness feel better able to cope. Researchers continue to explore the evidence of laser therapy in treating mental health conditions. Mental health professionals and those with mental health issues are becoming more aware of PBM and its beneficial effects.
Non-invasive mental health treatment
Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment option with few side effects, meaning there are no risks associated with laser treatments. This form of alternative medicine is one of the safest treatment options available. Most people who access treatment with laser therapy notice beneficial effects on their mental health.
Auricular acupuncture laser therapy
Laser auricular acupuncture is a type of acupuncture that stimulates ear acupuncture sites. Specific bodily and psychological systems, as well as various mental health disorders such as trauma, are said to be linked to these sites. The infrared and near-infrared light used in laser therapy stimulates the healing process for any associated problems. A considerable number of individuals notice an improvement in mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure that is painless with no downtime required for recuperation. This means most mental health sufferers can receive laser therapy easily and conveniently during their daily routines or at work.
Treating sleep problems with laser therapy
Research into the benefits of laser therapy/photobiomodulation According to new research, low-level laser light therapy photobiomodulation may help with a variety of mental health conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, addiction, sleep problems/nightmares, neurodevelopmental disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Cassano et al., 2015). Learn more by watching a YouTube clip with Shannon: HERE Laser therapy is a revolutionary therapy that uses light to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Laser therapy uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate the mitochondria in cells, which trigger cellular activity that can promote mental health benefits such as improved mood or reduced pain levels. At Create Balance Psychotherapy and Counselling we are leading the way in the use of laser therapy to support people with mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, all with impressive results. We believe light therapy will be a vital part of mental health treatment in the future. References Round, R., Litscher, G., & Bahr, F. (2013). Auricular acupuncture with laser. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2013, 984763. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/984763 Cassano, P., Petrie, S. R., Hamblin, M. R., Henderson, T. A., & Iosifescu, D. V. (2016). Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis. Neurophotonics, 3(3), 031404. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.NPh.3.3.031404 Cassano P, Cusin C, Mischoulon D, Hamblin MR, De Taboada L, Pisoni A, Chang T, Yeung A, Ionescu DF, Petrie SR, Nierenberg AA, Fava M, Iosifescu DV. Near-Infrared Transcranial Radiation for Major Depressive Disorder: Proof of Concept Study. Psychiatry J. 2015; 2015:352979. doi: 10.1155/2015/352979. Epub 2015 Aug 19. PMID: 26356811; PMCID: PMC4556873.
Author
Shannon Bowman is the Director of SJB Clinical Consulting Pty Ltd, and Create Balance Psychotherapy & Counselling VIEW HERE.
Create Balance Laser Therapy VIEW HERE
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD
ADHD, is a neurological condition that affects how your brain processes and pays attention to information. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is considered a developmental disorder.
ADHD Symptoms
People with ADHD have difficulty staying focused on specific tasks or activities, are easily distracted by other stimuli, and are often hyperactive.
Some people with ADHD may seem hung up on certain ideas or thoughts because they have difficulty shifting their focus and regulating emotions.
Adults with ADHD
Adults tend to struggle the most with: finishing tasks, staying on task (focused), remembering details, being attentive, and lack of drive or enthusiasm.
The reason for this is that adults are often distracted by other things. For example, it’s easy for them to be tempted away from their tasks by social media or television. Continue reading to learn what we believe is the best treatment combination for adults with ADHD.
Children with ADHD
Children with ADHD usually have similar symptoms as adults. Sadly, if left undiagnosed, they may be labelled as ‘not interested in school’ or ‘the class clown’.
Education settings can pick up ADHD
More and more schools and teachers are aware of ADHD and often recognise children who may have this disorder.
Children with undiagnosed ADHD are frequently bullied in school because of their focus or attention problems, which then leads to low self-esteem and depression.
This is an important detail that we’ll address in more depth later, but if you think you or someone close to you has ADHD, please seek a treatment evaluation. The correct treatment can be life changing for individuals and families.
You’ve heard of ADHD
Do you have a friend with ADHD?
We all know a person with ADHD. They might be our best friend, family member or co-worker. They may have been diagnosed at an early age or only recently in adulthood.
It’s not always easy to figure out what treatment is best for someone with ADHD but there are many options available today that can offer relief and hope.
In this post we’ll explore the different treatment options available and how each might work to help manage symptoms of ADHD. We’ll also discuss some of the pros and cons associated with those treatments so you can make better decisions about your own life and future based on reliable information!
ADHD treatment option diagnosis
There are different treatments for ADHD in adults. You’ll first need to get a diagnosis from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist who assesses your symptoms against the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
Treatment for ADHD mostly involves medication, education, skills training, support groups and counselling from a health professional. Sometimes a combination of these is the best treatment.
These treatment options can help manage many symptoms of ADHD. But they do not cure it. You may have to try a few things before you find what works best for you.
Medications
Talk with your doctor about whether you should take medications for ADHD. He or she will tell you about the benefits and risks of each medicine.
Some ADHD medication is addictive and can have side effects, which is why regular follow ups with your doctor are vital.
How does ADHD medication work?
ADHD medications help the neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, work better in people with ADHD. Medicines called stimulants improve these brain chemicals. Stimulants are thought to function by boosting dopamine levels in the brain.
Dopamine the ‘feel good’ hormone & neurotransmitter
Dopamine also known as the ‘feel good’ hormone. It’s an important part of your brain’s reward system. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. Stimulant medications enhance focus and concentration while reducing impulsive and hyperactive behaviours for many people with ADHD.
Sometimes people need stimulant medicines like methylphenidate or amphetamine, but other medicines may be prescribed too. The stimulants help balance chemicals in the brain which make a person feel better.
Long and short acting simulant medication
There is a variety of medication options including long acting options such a Lisdexamfetamine, sold under the brand name Vyvanse or Ritalin LA Methylphenidate hydrochloride which can help control ADHD symptoms throughout the day.
Some people also use non-stimulant medicine like Atomoxetine Hydrochloride, sold under the brand name Strattera to help with symptoms of inattention and impulsivity.
Are there side effects to ADHD medication?
Some people will experience side effects from stimulant ADHD medication, which is why your doctor will monitor how you respond to the medication and adjust the dose accordingly.
An holistic approach, which includes medication, talk therapy, peer mentoring, nutrition, exercise, and education on how to handle symptoms is better than relying on one strategy. An holistic approach also provides someone with ADHD with a wide range of important life skills.
Some people do better on a combination of psycho-stimulant medication, which is why you doctor may recommend this approach. Taking long acting medication and short acting medication for example.
Consult with you doctor regularly about you ADHD treatment
You doctor will carefully consider the pros and cons of combining these medications, including how these medicines might affect your health over time. However, it’s important to understand that there is no one-size fits all treatment plan.
You and your doctor should discuss all the options and choose a treatment strategy that works for you.
There is no one medication that’s been proven to be more effective than another. So if you’ve tried one medicine and it didn’t work it’s possible a different one might.
Treatment outcomes for ADHD It is not simple to treat ADHD. Remember to keep your doctor updated on your progress so they can assist you in managing the problem effectively.
Your doctor may also recommend other treatments, such as behavioural therapy or a support group to help you improve your quality of life. Alternatives to tradition ADHD treatment options Adults who have not been successful in reducing their symptoms using traditional methods should consider an alternative strategy to manage their symptoms, such as diet, exercise, brain training neurofeedback, and occasionally supplements.
Research on treatment outcomes for ADHD A systematic review of 351 studies were done on children with ADHD. Some of the outcomes measured were: an academic outcome, antisocial behaviour, driving outcomes, obesity rates, occupation outcome, services use outcome and self-esteem.
Long term treatment outcomes for those with a diagnosis of ADHD The following was found: (1) without treatment people with ADHD had poorer long-term outcomes in all categories compared to people without ADHD The researchers found: (2) that psychotherapy, combined with medication for ADHD (ADHD + therapy), resulted in improved long-term results when compared to untreated ADHD. However, these improvements did not cure the person of ADHD symptoms.
Adult ADHD counselling includes:
Psychotherapy or
’talk therapy
Helps you to learn how to control your behaviour.
Educates you about the disorder and teaching you skills to be successful in life.
Helps with time management, organisation, and problem-solving skills.
Helps with coping strategies for problems from the past like school, work, or social issues.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
This is a type of counselling that teaches you skills to help you manage your behaviour and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It can help you deal with life challenges, such as school, work or relationship problems, and it can also help address other mental health conditions such as depression or substance abuse.
Are you struggling to focus in your work or daily life?
You’re not alone. ADHD is a real thing that affects people throughout the world, and it can be difficult to manage without help. That’s why we’ve partnered with Deeper Potential Coaching and Create Balance to create an online course on how to overcome ADHD challenges.
It may seem daunting at first, but this course will provide you with insight into what your specific needs are as an individual who has been diagnosed with ADHD.
The course will teach you about different tools and strategies that are just right for improving your focus and attention span- all while managing other responsibilities such as taking care of kids or working full time.
Take action to succeed
It’s time to stop letting your ADHD get in the way of what you want. It doesn’t matter if it’s relationships, work, or anything else that is important to you. You deserve better and now there is a course designed specifically for people with ADHD.
This course will help you learn to manage symptoms, set goals, and make changes that will keep your focus where it belongs – on the things most important to you.
ADHD Symptoms and struggles
Inattention: Can be defined as the lack of attention to a task or action. This is often displayed in symptoms such as forgetting things, losing items, and not listening when spoken too directly. People who have this condition tend to make careless mistakes during work or other areas of life.
Hyperactive or Impulsivity: There are many symptoms that could lead to a hyperactive or impulsive person. Some of the common ones include:
fidgeting, tapping or squirming
always moving as if driven by a motor
blurting answers without thought/hesitation
interrupting others,
leaves seat when s/he isn’t supposed to.
It’s scary, most people never know they have ADHD
Most people with ADHD never get diagnosed or treatment for ADHD, so their lives continue to be filled with frustration. We created the ADHD Ambition course because we want you to succeed.
ADHD support in an online format
This course is designed by two highly successful entrepreneurs who both have ADHD themselves (and many other problems). We’ve worked hard to create an easy-to-follow system that will help you build all of the habits you need for success in your personal and professional life.
Now it’s your turn
By applying these techniques daily, you can transform your relationships, career, mental health and overall happiness…all while living a more fulfilling life than ever before.
The ADHD Ambition course is a powerful resource for anyone who needs help getting their priorities straight so they can stop procrastinating and start taking action toward their big goals.
Author
Shannon Bowman is the Director of SJB Clinical Consulting Pty Ltd,
and Create Balance Psychotherapy & Counselling VIEW HERE.
Shannon has a clinical interest in treating trauma, PTSD and ADHD.
He has a lived experience of ADHD and is a passionate advocate for those affected by it.
He is accredited as an Mental Health Social Worker AMHSW,
psychotherapist and registered EMDR practitioner.
Associations: Australian Association of Social Workers EMDR Association of Australia
