Terri Barnes

Spouse Calls

Join the conversation with Stripes columnist Terri Barnes, as she explores issues relevant to the lives of military spouses.

EMDR treatments for PTSD

Posted August 19th, 2007 by Terri Barnes
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A Spouse Calls reader who suffered from PTSD wrote recently to tell me that she had found relief from her debilitating symptoms through eye movement desensitizing and reprocessing (EMDR). She had been following the Spouse Calls blog regarding PTSD, and wondered if her experience could help others.

A story by Steve Mraz in Stars & Stripes details how medical professionals at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany are being trained to administer EMDR to returning veterans. The treatment has been around since the late 1980's. 

support groups

On October 20th, 2007 mnhamilton says:

Hi this is my first time on this site. My fianc'e is in the military and he is in iraq right now. Do you know of any support groups in the houston,tx area?

Find support ... Be supportive

On October 24th, 2007 Terri Barnes says:

Those of us with military attachments truly need the support of the military community, especially during deployments. I'm so glad you are reaching out.

My best suggestion for finding fellow military spouses, fiances and families is to volunteer for a military support organization.

You can help with their programs and find support for yourself at the same time. Some opportunities in your area:

  • The USO: http://www.usohouston.org/index.html Click on "Volunteer" for information and an application.
  • Your local Red Cross, which supports the military in many ways: http://www.houstonredcross.org/
  • Fisher Houses: Located near military hospitals, such as Brook Army Medical Center in Houston, these houses provide a place for families to stay while a loved one is hospitalized. The link below lists the Texas Fisher Houses, including the ones in Houston with e-mail addresses to contact each. Write to find out what kinds of volunteer opportunities are available: http://www.fisherhouse.org/theHouses/texas.shtml
  • The chapel at your nearest military installation: The chaplain may be able to direct you to a support group, or you might find support by getting involved in chapel programs.
  • If you already attend a local church, ask your pastor about other military families in your congregation, or find out about churches in your area that have outreach programs for military members and families.

You can see that I'm suggesting the best way to find support is to be a support to the military in your community. It's a good way to get started on your life as a military spouse! I hope you do get involved and meet some of the wonderful people who are out there supporting our military community in Houston.

Best wishes to you,

Terri

One psychologist's view of EMDR

On May 1st, 2008 jerry0065 says:

As a Pennsylvania psychologist, I wrote the following article, on EMDR, for Ezinearticles: http://ezinearticles.com/index.php?&id=1140317

Many of our American soldiers are now returning from Iraq, suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. As treatment, the Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Practice Guidelines have placed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in the highest category, recommended for all trauma populations, at all times.

Nonetheless, I believe that it is imperative that any lingering misconceptions surrounding its effective use be dispelled, in order that more soldiers are afforded the opportunity to ease their suffering, by applying this remarkable therapeutic approach. EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that assists patients in resolving disturbing memories.

As a Pennsylvania psychologist, I have been using EMDR since 1995, after having completed my formal EMDR training, under the direction of Dr. Shapiro, the originator of this therapy. Most of today’s concerns, about EMDR, seem to be centered on the notion that there exists little evidence for its use as one of psychotherapy's empirically supported treatments. In so much as it is vital that no health care provider do patient harm, my question is to consider the harm that could occur, however, if EMDR is not offered as a timely treatment option.

Throughout the years, it has been my experience that EMDR seems to help patients make a link between what they "know" to what they "feel." This "break-through" is invaluable, especially with the trauma patient who is finally able to resolve their disturbing memories. Additionally, numerous studies appear to support this same contention.

Psychologist Gerald A. Solfanelli http://www.ThePsychologist.com

 

EMDR: Another point of view

On May 12th, 2008 Terri Barnes says:

Timothy R. Stickle, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Vermont offers more information on EMDR, from a different viewpoint.

He writes:
 "The following resource on PTSD and EMDR was just brought to my attention and I thought it would be of interest to you. Also, there is a listing of empirical evidence and scientific status for many treatments and disorders on the page at the second link.
 
http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/eklonsky-/division12/treatments/ptsd_emdr.html
 
http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/eklonsky-/division12/treatments.html
 
Best,
Tim Stickle

Thank you for your input, Dr. Stickle