C-ptsd And Emdr - Thoughts, Experiences, Feedback.

[schmidt.aander]

I've been in therapy for 3 years with my current MHP. He is finalizing his training in EMDR and we've already started to set up for it by strengthening my positive cognition. I'll say here that I completely trust my therapist. He's been really amazing.

However.

Those who are in or have been through EMDR, I was wondering if you would shed some visibility to your symptoms and how this modality changed them. I'm especially curious about somatic symptoms - shaking, sweating, nightmares, occasional (or ongoing) lack of sex drive or issues with performance. Okay, that last one is for men but I implore anyone to chime in.

 

[Deleted member 28942]

C-PTSD and EMDR has been amazing. It is difficult and it brings up old stuff and difficult memories but it's worth it. Sometimes nightmares are present but after a while they go away. I had a shaking reaction in my left side neck and shoulder from a memory when my father hit me as a child. We processed it and now it is almost gone. It does resolve somatic symptoms although sometime few days after the session things might seem to be worse but they go away. Definitely worth it and highly recommended.

 

[schmidt.aander]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I'm really excited to do this work and whereas I've learned to manage most of the cognitive stuff, there's still a lot of trauma stored in my body and I feel a lot of the physical symptoms. I'm also going to the gym now which sort of opened the lid and it's started a slow-leak deflation. I'm also apprehensive, admittedly, because I have no idea what's in there.

The way out is through. Please feel free to update with progress. :)

 

[heyheyhey]

Hey @schmidt.aander how are you doing :)? Did you end up going with EMDR in the end? I'm currently doing Somatic Experiencing for my PTSD, it has been really helpful but not sure if I should also look into EMDR too :).

 

[Jody]

hello ive done emdr only a couple of times seems my body reacts to this without memory of exactly what happened. the last session i had before my therapist went on vacation was intense but i did get through the session feeling as though i had a complet panic attack. ive been looking for answers and now i feel like i should just quit therapy. i was wondering if anyone else feels like stopping therapy and if so how did you get past it. after emdr a few nights after i had a memory i think it was not sure and the memory is not a good one. so i would say try it its not easy or maybe its just not easy for me i don't know. i just want to stop hoping if i stop all this crap will go away in time and i wont think about it like i do now. its like i don't feel like dealing with anymore stuff. the besad part is i just sort of started. is this normal? i feel worse now than i did before therapy is this normal? any imput would be great thanks

 

[schmidt.aander]

Hey @schmidt.aander how are you doing :)? Did you end up going with EMDR in the en...

I've only had a couple of sessions with really fantastic results. I continuously unplug things similar to the topic explored through bilateral stimulation all day, I feel as if it, in its own way, elevates me to a higher state of consciousness, if only temporarily. In two sessions my tremors have mostly stopped, my body is dramatically less anxious and I'm no longer littered with negative, self-hating thoughts and a lasting, joyful calmness I've never felt before.

Though I've got a way to go, my experience with EMDR (at the beginning, anyway) has been life-changing already. If you and your MHP think you're prepared, I highly recommend using this tool to reconnect with yourself. Shapiro gave the world a beautiful gift.

 

[schmidt.aander]

hello ive done emdr only a couple of times seems my body reacts to this without memory of exactly what hap...

Okay so I don't think you should stop therapy.

Though I'm obviously not an expert in the topic, but recovery is gradual with small triumphs that you may overlook if you're not open.

I've noticed, for example, that my hypervigilance has become deeper awareness. When it was classified as hypervigilance it was obviously a distressing quality and now, it is neutral. Things like that change as you change, though if you feel a break is necessary then you absolutely deserve the time to recollect (remember that collectively, at some point, our boundaries were violated and taking a break is very possibly establishing those boundaries) but be mindful that a break can become neglect to self-work.

Maybe first, before this sabbatical, rededicate yourself to the work you know you need to do. Press the pause button knowing you have the reserves of strength to once again hit play. Reflect on what is lost in an objective way and maintain the knowledge that you can and will find your way back to that center of self before ________________________ happened.

You can do this, but you must believe in yourself.

 

[heyheyhey]

I've only had a couple of sessions with really fantastic results. I continuously unplug things s...

Thank you :)!!