Finally – VA recognizes tapping as an effective treatment for PTSD

You cannot imagine my excitement when I found the link to this article in my inbox today. A reason to celebrate indeed! If you read through to the end of this blog post, you’ll understand why.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/veterans-administration-approves-eft-emotional-freedom_us_597fc82ee4b0cb4fc1c73be2?ncid=engmodushpmg00000003

I became a certified EFT practitioner because it helped me reclaim my Joy de Vivre in spite of a debilitating, chronic condition. And the most wonderful gift it gave me was my husband’s life and a happier marriage than I once thought possible.

The garden he created from a rocky, naked weed patch.

I haven’t written before about what it was like watching the creative, driven man I knew become nearly catatonic after the events of 9/11.

Suddenly, my once-active, funny husband was disappearing into an unknown world. I had no idea what was happening to him. All I could do was watch him disintegrate into a man I no longer knew how to relate to.

One morning, not long after that fateful day on the 11th of September, he sat in his bathrobe unresponsive. I knew something had to be done. I was still working full-time then.

I tried calling him as soon as I arrived at my desk. When he wouldn’t pick up the phone sitting right next to him I reached out to his best friends. They took him to the Portland VA Medical Center. A day spent in the ER resulted in a PTSD diagnosis.

At that time, we followed the traditional therapy plan of drugs and classes the VA prescribed. It helped, but only minimally. A few years later, his out of control symptoms dominated our lives once again.

This time, he was on hyper-vigilant guard duty 24/7. Rapid speech, constant pacing the floor, not eating, not sleeping and drinking nearly from the time he awoke is what our daily life had devolved into. He was unable to track in normal conversation. He was so volatile that living with him had become a frightening nightmare.

Later, he told me that he had been fighting the six voices constantly shouting instructions to him, the worst of them telling him to just give in and kill them all. None of his friends or family knew what he was going through or how to help.

I now realize what an amazing soldier he is to have been able to fight those voices as successfully as he did. He defended his loved ones against himself. I honor him for that. Otherwise, our story could have had a very different headline. Thanks to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique aka tapping) that didn’t happen.

I had already found tapping the year before through Nick and Jessica Ortner’s annual World Tapping Summit. But he thought banging on your face was stupid and refused to try. He banished all mention of it from our conversations. Then he finally hit bottom. He’s a soldier. Soldier’s don’t show weakness or ask for help.

One evening in a rare moment of quiet, I said, “I don’t think you’re going to be able to get through this on your own.” Amazed, I watched the balloon of his soldier on attitude deflate in an instant. He finally surrendered.

The next day we reached out to Marilyn McWilliams. She had been part of the Veteran’s Stress Project and selflessly donated her skills as an EFT Coach to help veterans in crisis. All she asked is that they pay it forward.

At his third appointment, he enthusiastically exclaimed, “I can’t wait to get triggered!” Why? Because he knew he had an effective tool that would reduce the adrenaline/cortisol rush his body was so addicted to and find peace. And he did!

Mike received an honorary service medal in a ceremony hosted by Chinook Winds in Lincoln City.

For a brief time, Marilyn volunteered with us to serve on a VA committee where veterans gave their input on how the VA could help fellow veterans. We were there to demonstrate how EFT had helped him. Today, I have my husband back. Just like my condition, the PTSD is not gone. But its effects have been greatly reduced. The more he taps, the better he feels.

 

If you or someone you know could also use this good news, please share the link in your social media outlets. Please contact me for more information on how tapping can help you or your loved one, too. Follow this link to the EFT Practitioner profile. Due to my health condition, I only work part-time.

http://www.eftuniverse.com/certified-eft-practitioners/search-results/?dir=1&keywords=Glenda%20Rueger%20Payne