Texas center helps kids with PTSDs

By Staff Writer

A guidance center in Texas recently received a $37,000 grant to extend treatment for children who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

According to the El Paso Times, the treatment is called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). The eight-phase EMDR process stimulates each side of the patient's brain through eye movement, sounds or hand taps, which is intended to help a child gain access to their memories.

The clinical director of the facility said that kids who can resolve their memories have a better chance to experience a reduction in PTSD symptons, some of which are irritability, bedwetting, nervousness and frequent nightmares. Traumatic events that some kids experience include violence, abandonment, as well as physical and emotional abuse.

A therapist at the counseling center told the news provider that some children with PTSD have exorbitant fears of everyday experiences like driving in a car, talking to people and hearing loud noises.

The National Insititute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that by age 16, approximately 25 percent of children will have experienced at least one traumatic event. The NIMH adds that teenagers who have PTSD may develop destructive behaviors and have thoughts of guilt or revenge.