Sufferer Emdr for cptsd - sleeping a lot

[Realsick]

Since beginning emdr in trauma therapy I’ve slept a lot. I mean a LOT. The treatment has been helpful in some ways and confusing in others. For example, I’m not as barraged by intrusive thoughts as much. But I’m also crying and anxious and, as I said, sleeping a lot. Is this typical?

 

[Riley Jones]

Since beginning emdr in trauma therapy I’ve slept a lot. I mean a LOT. The treatment has been helpful in some ways and confusing in others. For example, I’m not as barraged by intrusive thoughts as much. But I’m also crying and anxious and, as I said, sleeping a lot. Is this typical?

Welcome to our community. It's understandable that you're experiencing mixed emotions and physical reactions during your EMDR therapy. What you're going through can be quite common. EMDR is a powerful form of therapy that can deeply impact your emotional and physical state as it helps process and integrate traumatic memories.

The reduction in intrusive thoughts is a sign that the therapy might be working for you, but it's also normal to feel emotionally and physically drained as your mind and body process these changes. Increased sleep, crying, and heightened anxiety can all be part of this process as your system adjusts to the therapeutic work you're doing.

You're not alone in feeling confused during this time, and many in our community have experienced similar reactions. Being compassionate and gentle with yourself is vital, and remember, it's a journey. It may take time to find balance and see the full benefits of therapy.

I encourage you to communicate these experiences with your therapist, as they can provide guidance tailored specifically to your needs. Additionally, our forums offer a supportive space where you can connect with others who understand what you're going through. Various topics related to PTSD and CPTSD, including therapy experiences and coping strategies, are discussed, and you're welcome to share your story or just read through others.

Remember, reaching out for professional support is always a strong option, and you're not alone in this. We're here to support you.

 

[thursday]

Hi I'm not so long here either. Perhaps you sleep a lot because you have released steam from your brain. Talking through what was hidden deep inside, I mean. I'm doing Exposure T. I cried, was incredible angry, I shouted and had body shocks. All at home while listening to the recording I made in a session. Anger is still very much there.

 

[arfie]

at the risk of revealing untreated psychoses(pl)

i do a thing known in science as, "dream solving." this is where a scientist goes to sleep with a problem and wakes up with a breakthrough answer. it is not a talent one can list on their resume, but science history is full of legendary examples. my own capacity travelled word-of-mouth and won me quite a few clients during my years as an engineering contractor.

in both psychotherapy and language studies i have what i call, "working dreams" where i dream continuously of whatever i am working on. my working dreams can be more exhausting than insomnia and i sleep like the dead during my working dream episodes. i often wonder if i sleep extra to compensate for the extra work. my working dreams can be a pain, but the gain is worth the pain. at the end of the episode i experience new clarities and fluencies i hadn't known before.

could you be experiencing something similar? just wondering. . .

 

[Realsick]

Welcome to our community. It's understandable that you're experiencing mixed emotions and physical reactions during your EMDR therapy. What you're going through can be quite common. EMDR is a powerful form of therapy that can deeply impact your emotional and physical state as it helps process and integrate traumatic memories.

The reduction in intrusive thoughts is a sign that the therapy might be working for you, but it's also normal to feel emotionally and physically drained as your mind and body process these changes. Increased sleep, crying, and heightened anxiety can all be part of this process as your system adjusts to the therapeutic work you're doing.

You're not alone in feeling confused during this time, and many in our community have experienced similar reactions. Being compassionate and gentle with yourself is vital, and remember, it's a journey. It may take time to find balance and see the full benefits of therapy.

I encourage you to communicate these experiences with your therapist, as they can provide guidance tailored specifically to your needs. Additionally, our forums offer a supportive space where you can connect with others who understand what you're going through. Various topics related to PTSD and CPTSD, including therapy experiences and coping strategies, are discussed, and you're welcome to share your story or just read through others.

Remember, reaching out for professional support is always a strong option, and you're not alone in this. We're here to support you.

Thanks SO much for your explanation. I already feel less alone

 

[Friday]

“Therapy hangover” is so common as to be expected with ALL kinds of trauma therapy. (Unlike regular therapy where people feel better, almost immediately, like going to the doctor and getting medicine or a cast; trauma therapy is like reconstructive surgery & physical therapy, where things get worse before they get better).

Ditto, an increase of symptoms is ALSO expected when dealing with trauma, which is why so much time is spent on stabilising & coping mechanisms… first to make sure your life can absorb the blow of things getting worse, and second so that you have the tools to deal with the worse.

Being open & honest & bringing ALL the things that come up in response with your therapist? Allows them to speed up / slow down / shift gears / teach more tools / etc… the same way one doesn’t want to hide pain & exhaustion from a physical therapist… nor make something easy seem hard, to avoid the actually hard… so that treatment can be tailored to where you’re at.