At a low point in his life Russ Gray turned his back on the ethos of 'a pill for every ill' and found relief in Emotional Freedom Technique

 

 

Not so long ago I found myself in a catastrophic state of life due to debt, my mother suffering from Alzheimer’s, coping with an emerging family from a previous marriage, a new job where I needed to hold it together and prove myself, and a whole sequence of other events that immersed me in anxiety, fear, massive depression and paranoia. This put a huge amount of pressure on my relationships.  Things got so bad I thought I was becoming demented at one point! 

I searched high and low for a means or method that could re-emerge me from the absolute hell that was eating me up inside like an unwelcome inhabitant.

In line with the current thinking of 'a pill for every ill', my GP prescribed some 'new drug' to increase my levels of serotonin, supposedly far removed from Prozac and its consequences. However, it would take two weeks to enter my system fully and a very long time to get it out! Not my idea of help, and besides I don't take drugs. Many people are stuck in a nightmare scenario where they're on drugs for one symptom only to find the side effects are worse than the original disorder, and they then need even more treatment for the side effect!

Searching the Internet, I chanced upon a broadcast of a psychologist who mentioned Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) a self-healing practice which stems from using the ancient Chinese system of acupressure points along meridian lines. These points are stimulated by tapping through a simple sequence that once learned, can be used on any emotional reaction to any situation that may arise. Because of the complexity of our unique lives, the same problem may have different facets, but they can all be addressed with this technique. 

I noted that EFT works within one or more sessions (called 'rounds') whether it be anxiety, panic attack, depression, suicidal tendencies, skin problems, substance abuse, anger, you name it. 

What actually happens in the event of applying EFT is a re-association with the emotions that have impacted on you. The meridian points are directly in line with nerve ends and each point is linked to various other parts of the body that become effected by the rise of powerful emotions. In applying stimulation in the form of a series of light taps, you are sending a signal that inverts the emotional effect on that part of the body. The calming or subsidence is amplified more by the use of an affirmation, or set up phrase. This verbally identifies the issue, brings it to the surface, and whilst stimulating the meridian points, causes a negation that eradicates its impact. The level of emotional effect is measured by a judgement of intensity from zero to ten – ten being the strongest feeling. As you practise going through each point (as seen in diagram above) you determine the intensity level after a few 'rounds' until you reach zero. 

I had developed a lack of self-confidence and intense fear. My anxiety was being especially fuelled by an ongoing financial situation that had intensified to such a degree that I was starting to become ill.  With reams of information and set up phrases I used EFT relentlessly on every area – without much relief at first, as everything kept on rushing back to me - or so I thought. My persistence paid off however, and once the major issues were emotionally dealt with all the other smaller matters fell away, as If they were never there!

Other areas EFT can help with are: phobias, phantom pains, arthritis, cancer, limiting beliefs, poor eyesight, dyslexia, learning difficulties, mental difficulties such as bi-polar disorder, hay fever and a whole host more.

'The prime cause of all emotional problems stems from a disruption in the nervous system” explains Gary Craig, founder of EmoFree and leading pioneer in the field. 'It applies to a wide variety of emotional, health and performance issues and it often works where nothing else will”. He even urges us to 'bring these procedures to the attention of our physicians' as they may reduce the need for drugs, surgeries, radiation and the like.  One of Gary Craig's mottos is 'try it on everything!'

If you want to research EFT/Tapping further, go on-line where there are many links with an amazing wealth of case studies and reports as well as information to bring resolution to both short-term and long-term issues. I still get little hic-ups of residual emotional effects when faced with arsey creditors, but I take it in my stride now, knowing if I need it EFT can tap out the emotional response and I can focus on the important matters.