The Power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming to Transform Trauma

 The Power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming to Transform Trauma

Introduction

 

If the doors of cognition are cleaned, everything will appear to man as it is. Infinite. Because man has closed on himself until he sees everything through "narrow openings in his cave". - William Blake

 

The above quote from William Blake's Marriage of Paradise and Hell tells us a lot about how we perceive life from a limited perspective. In this blog, we will discuss NLP, how it aims to expand our perspective, and improve our overall view of life eventually.   

 

NLP is "a therapeutic technique used to detect and reprogram unconscious patterns of ideas and behaviours to change psychological responses." [1] NLP is a type of treatment that requires further research but is effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related difficulties, such as phobias and anxiety.

 

It was first developed in the 1970s by information scientists Richard Brandler and lin lint John Grindr, who considered the possibility of identifying and teaching the ideas and behaviours of successful healthy individuals.

 

 

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

 

NLP takes the view that we filter and perceive information through our senses to create a personal map of the world around us. The concept behind the theory can be better understood when we dismantle the term.

 

Nervous

 Every second of our lives, even during sleep, we process information. Our map of the world around us consists of images, sounds, tastes, smells, touch awareness and inner sensations. This map is known in NLP as our First Access Map.

Linguistic

 

When we receive external information and data, we give it personal meaning. We devote language to information, which colours our conscious consciousness. You know this linguistic map.

 

Programming

 

Taking up filtered information and the resulting linguistic map leads to a behavioural response, which we call "programming."

 

Basically, NLP is interested in how the world is filtered and perceived, and how this bias affects our results. The theory behind NLP is that if we bring our conscious awareness of our candidates and biases, we can start making choices that lead to positive change.

 

Each of us experiences life subjectively and forms a subjective view of our experiences. It is that subjectivity that drives our behaviour, whether productive or destructive.

 

Visual-Motor Disintegration  (V-KD)

 

NLP has been considered an effective way to treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as phobias and some types of anxiety, primarily through one important aspect of NLP - motor visual disintegration (V-KD).

 

V-KD is known to help those with phobias or painful memories by encouraging neuro programming for their psychological response to the original event. The process involves severing the link between images (visual) and associated feelings (kinetic) to eliminate irrational fear and behaviour.

 

To be effective, the processor enhances the customer's security and relaxation. A separate new perspective is devised, and the processor directs the client to reprocess painful memory, allowing him to update his view of memory, and deeply understands that fighting/escaping/freezing is not necessary at the moment.

 

As a result of V-KD, "a traumatic event becomes either inaccessible, significantly modified or subject to painless permit success.

 

 

NLP For Injuries - How Does It Work?

 

Five key components of NLP work together to make a positive difference for traumatized individuals. These are disintegration, anchoring, familiarity, changing beliefs, and reformulating content[4].

 

Dissociation

Even daily experiences can provoke reactions in the form of negative feelings, such as anger and stress. These feelings may seem irrational but still exist and feel strong, such as anger when someone speaks a particular phrase or performs a particular habit.

 

Using Dissociation, the relationship between the word or stimulating behaviour can be severed, preventing a negative reaction in the individual. Deep-rooted psychological problems can be reduced, and positive and healthy coping mechanisms and self-management tools can be developed.

  

Limit it

 

The installation creates a positive response to a particular catalyst. It's the process of creating a link between an external event and your inner sense. For example, an external event such as hand touch or finger pressure can be linked to positive feelings, where the event occurs when feeling positive, eventually adapting the individual to connect the feeling of the event.

  

Relationship

 

Rapport focuses on the sociability of the individual. It is very important in developing positive relationships with others and makes the individual feel more connected to others, reducing the feelings of isolation and separation that trauma survivors often feel. Harmony includes effective listening, understanding and compatibility with body language and social tact.

 

Belief Change

 

We create and retain many of the beliefs and judgments we use to understand ourselves and the world in which we live. These beliefs strongly influence our opinions and assumptions about how things are going. If a stimulus challenges our deep-seated beliefs, we can sometimes respond with defensive outbursts, anger, depression or anxiety.

 

To reduce the rigidity of our beliefs and prevent us from acting harmfully towards ourselves or others, NLP suggests that we can change our beliefs for our own benefit. While this process may be long and difficult, the results lead to significant positive results for our mental and emotional health and well-being.

 

Content Reframing

Content Reframing is the process of using imagining exercises to re-frame how we see a situation in which we feel victimized or helpless. Instead of letting our perspective of the situation overwhelm us with feelings of despair, we begin to look at it with a positive outlook.

 

 

Research on NLP

 

In one study of 30 participants diagnosed with PTSD - 18 of whom were receiving treatment for one trauma, 11 for one trauma to five injuries, and one with elevation phobia - 40% of participants classified the use of NLP techniques as highly successful, 53% successful, and 7% acceptable.

 

By breaking the link between internal and external events that remind us of our traumas and the associated thoughts and feelings that cause us suffering, NLP can provide us with greater self-mastery and overall well-being. NLP is a way to improve ourselves, reduce trauma-related symptoms, and thus improve the world around us. 

 

 

Sources:

 

[1] NLP for the treatment of adults with PTSD, general anxiety disorder, or depression: a review of clinical effectiveness and [Internet] guidelines. Ottawa (Ontario): Canadian Medicines and Health Technologies Agency; 2014 November 3. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK254043/

 

[2] Gray, R. and Liotta, R., 2012. PTSD: extinction, regrouping and protocol of motor visual disintegration. [E-book] SAGE. Available at: <https://jevondangeli.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/NLP_VKD_-PTSD_research.pdf> [entered July 9, 2020].

 

[3] Alberini, CM (2005). Memory stabilization mechanisms: Are consolidation and regrouping processes similar or distinct? Trends in neuroscience, 28 (1), 51-56.

 

[4] Restore the task. NLP: How the power of words helps improve one's self-improvement | Get the job back. Online is available at: <https://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-power-of-words-how-neuro-linguistic-programming-helps-in-self-improvement/> [accessed July 9, 2020].

 

[5] Global NLP. The second is to reformulate the content. [Online] Available on: <https://www.nlpworld.co.uk/nlp-glossary/c/content-reframe/#:~:text=Content%20Reframe%20NLP%20is%20giving,is%20conferred%20a% 20positive% 20intention.> [entered July 9, 2020].

 

[6] The Givens Institute for Humanity. Nd Rapid treatment of phobias and trauma: proof that it works. [Online] Available at: <https://www.hgi.org.uk/resources/delve-our-extensive-library/anxiety-ptsd-and-trauma/fast-cure-phobia-and-trauma-evidence> [accessed July 9, 2020].