intensified anxiety and trouble sleeping after emdr

[dice225]

i did an emdr session about a week and a half ago and have been feeling intensified anxiety and trouble sleeping afterwards, i think i have been retraumatized and figured it best to stop emdr till i become more stable then continue with old therapy that i was using, but right now none of my old grounding techniques help much, another use said when this happens he knows he has been retraumatized, and said only time will help it, and to find new coping and grounding techniques to help soothe myself as i wait for these effects to pass, he said sometimes when he gets retraumatized the effects last for a week and if its severe retraumatization it lasts for like up to 6 months he had one time, he believes that this is from rushing and trying to heal too much in one session, best to move slow otherwise risk retraumatization, and then have to let it pass befor continue therapy, can anyone here relate?

 

[Kubash16]

Thank you for making your own post this time. You already know my thoughts on this. Have you sought out a therapist yet?

 

[dice225]

I cant afford one at the moment, in between jobs only have free insurance which doesnt cover any Therapist that knows about emdr in my area

 

[Friday]

@dice225 You mentioned in one of your profile posts that you don’t have PTSD, but Social Anxiety / GAD, whose symptoms increased after a breakup (you can’t get PTSD from a breakup unless there was domestic violence, rape/sexual assault, your partner was killed in front of you, etc.).

We’re not a General Mental Health Forum, but a PTSD forum. That’s where the wealth of our collective experience lies (people with PTSD, supporting those with PTSD, students & researchers). It’s a very, very narrow purview.

How GAD responds to EMDR -and other forms of treatment- is going to be outside our baliwick.

I would very much suggest NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness or specialized GAD resources in your search.

All the best,
Friday, MyPTSD Staff

 

[Kubash16]

Therapist that knows about emdr in my area

Any chance you can do a sliding scale for just regular therapy? No EMDR therapist is going to take you on right away. You need foundational tools first.

I wish you would understand that I and others aren’t trying to ball bust you or be mean. We’ve experienced this stuff and it’s frustrating when you keeping asking the same questions because you didn’t like the other answers.

We all care, but like Friday said this is a PTSD forum. We know PTSD and how EMDR works for it.

 

[Justmehere]

In addition to the great advice of contacting NAMI, I highly suggest talking to your therapist that performed the EMDR. Let them know you are having a problem with it. They may be able to work on stabilization in other ways, and if not, they should be able to help you find treatment options other than EMDR that is covered by your insurance that is appropriate for your condition.

Since you do not have PTSD, there isn't anyone on a PTSD forum that is going to be able to help you with what you need right now.

I wish you the best on your journey!

 

[Kubash16]

@Justmehere some background info on what OP has posted on people’s profiles. He does not currently have a therapist (neither EMDR or regular). He’s been using YouTube videos to do it himself.

 

[Sharplinda70]

i did an emdr session about a week and a half ago and have been feeling intensified anxiety and trouble sleeping afterwards, i think i have been retraumatized and figured it best to stop emdr till i become more stable then continue with old therapy that i was using, but right now none of my old grounding techniques help much, another use said when this happens he knows he has been retraumatized, and said only time will help it, and to find new coping and grounding techniques to help soothe myself as i wait for these effects to pass, he said sometimes when he gets retraumatized the effects last for a week and if its severe retraumatization it lasts for like up to 6 months he had one time, he believes that this is from rushing and trying to heal too much in one session, best to move slow otherwise risk retraumatization, and then have to let it pass befor continue therapy, can anyone here relate?

Thank you for sharing I to am feeling similar and think I wont go back. I had my session 2 days and do not like what I'm feeling .. are you any better since

 

[dice225]

Thank you for sharing I to am feeling similar and think I wont go back. I had my session 2 days and do not like what I'm feeling .. are you any better since

yes I am feeling much better since, after i stoped emdr, it took a while, first 1-2 weeks was toughest then, slowly my old coping mechanisms starting working, be kind to yourself and take it easy, mindfulness meditation helps, its like your mind is a pool and all the negative thoughts and emotions are like sand in the bottom of the pool, the emdr stirred up the sand it will slowly settle with time, dont dwell too long in ur mind keep your self distracted and attention on other things like reading try to get lost in the story of the book. even if the anxiety is strong just gently bring ur attention and focus on the words and keep reading and let yourself get lost in the book (more attention reading and thinking about the book instead of on the anxiety) then just go on with your day but try to remind yourself to stay out for your head and be present as much as possible, but gently it shouldnt be forced, doing this ,being kind to yourself and giving yourself time is the best thing you can do. and slowly all the techniques that helped you some, before emdr will help you again. also share with your therapist how your feeling.

 

[Sharplinda70]

yes I am feeling much better since, after i stoped emdr, it took a while, first 1-2 weeks was toughest then, slowly my old coping mechanisms starting working, be kind to yourself and take it easy, mindfulness meditation helps, its like your mind is a pool and all the negative thoughts and emotions are like sand in the bottom of the pool, the emdr stirred up the sand it will slowly settle with time, dont dwell too long in ur mind keep your self distracted and attention on other things like reading try to get lost in the story of the book. even if the anxiety is strong just gently bring ur attention and focus on the words and keep reading and let yourself get lost in the book (more attention reading and thinking about the book instead of on the anxiety) then just go on with your day but try to remind yourself to stay out for your head and be present as much as possible, but gently it shouldnt be forced, doing this ,being kind to yourself and giving yourself time is the best thing you can do. and slowly all the techniques that helped you some, before emdr will help you again. also share with your therapist how your feeling.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you .. for responding and sharing .. I truly needed to hear this ...

I'm glad to hear your old.coping mechanisms came and you started to feel normal again that is all I want.. thank you again i am so glad i reached out .

 

[dice225]

I'm glad to hear your old.coping mechanisms came and you started to feel normal again that is all I want.. thank you again i am so glad i reached out .

yea i know the feeling, that is all i wanted as well, but when u r mindful and present and anchored to the present moment and not fighting the feelings u will slowly learn to manage all the feelings, its just a shock in the beginning because the coping mechanisms dont immediately work and u panic and think that ull be stuck that way forever, but time overcoming and getting through this will make u stronger than before and when it starts to fade and you get back to a state similar to how u were pre emdr , you will see you are better able to handle things that used to bother you, also in your journey it helps to remember these negative feelings are things that were already in you emdr didnt create anything new or break your brain or anything, just being in the present moment allowing the negative feelings to be there but focusing on other things you eventually be caught into the things u are focusing on and less on wanting the negative feelings to go away , remember the present moment ( the room or outside and all the objects in them books, tv, the table whatever you see is always there in the present for your attention if you just shift your attention from the unpleasant feelings to an object in the room or a movie on tv or a book or a persons facial features while having a conversation, all without thinking about or Fighting the unpleasant feelings and just allowing them to be in the background, they will slowly loose their power, when u suffer check to see if you are wanting the feelings to go away or Fighting or resisting them, chances are that your are doing one or all of those, doing all this along with not beating yourself up and just being kind and giving yourself time you will be back better than before, some days it may feel that you are cured and home free, and the next moment or next day some feelings may arise again, don't be discouraged this is normal the process just has a little more to go you have to let it run its course.

 

[dice225]

yea i know the feeling, that is all i wanted as well, but when u r mindful and present and anchored to the present moment and not fighting the feelings u will slowly learn to manage all the feelings, its just a shock in the beginning because the coping mechanisms dont immediately work and u panic and think that ull be stuck that way forever, but time overcoming and getting through this will make u stronger than before and when it starts to fade and you get back to a state similar to how u were pre emdr , you will see you are better able to handle things that used to bother you, also in your journey it helps to remember these negative feelings are things that were already in you emdr didnt create anything new or break your brain or anything, just being in the present moment allowing the negative feelings to be there but focusing on other things you eventually be caught into the things u are focusing on and less on wanting the negative feelings to go away , remember the present moment ( the room or outside and all the objects in them books, tv, the table whatever you see is always there in the present for your attention if you just shift your attention from the unpleasant feelings to an object in the room or a movie on tv or a book or a persons facial features while having a conversation, all without thinking about or Fighting the unpleasant feelings and just allowing them to be in the background, they will slowly loose their power, when u suffer check to see if you are wanting the feelings to go away or Fighting or resisting them, chances are that your are doing one or all of those, doing all this along with not beating yourself up and just being kind and giving yourself time you will be back better than before, some days it may feel that you are cured and home free, and the next moment or next day some feelings may arise again, don't be discouraged this is normal the process just has a little more to go you have to let it run its course.

and please if its gets overwhelming and you have suicidal thoughts or anything please seek help immediately,