Starting Emdr For Repressed Memories Of Childhood Incest And Sexual Abuse

[Hopeful1973]

I am beginning EM DR therapy next week. In October of last year I had repressed memories begin of my brother and other men molesting me through the ages of 4 to 8. My memories came hard and fast and turned my world upside down. I am so nervous because I do not understand the full process Of what will happen during EM DR therapy. If anyone can give me some insight I would really appreciate it.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I still have repressed memories but I dealt with the grief of them in therapy for nine years.

I did have EMDR and it totally changed my life for the better because I am no longer tormented and haunted by the memories I do have which is a lot.

It works for some and for some it is horrible. I would go slow if I were you until you know in your heart that it is the right therapy for you.

 

[shimmerz]

Have you been given tools yet to manage the symptoms that may come along with your memories? Is your T a trauma specialist? I would want to know those things first.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I am echoing @shimmerz reply.

Do you have an arsenal of coping skills, grounding skills, and self soothing skills? Are you able to use them to keep yourself grounded and safe?

 

[Hopeful1973]

Yes, I feel like I have all of my skills in check for coping. My therapist has been doing EMDR therapy for over 14 years now. She really feels like this is something that can help me go forward in my daily life. I guess I'm more concerned with new memories coming up through the therapy. Advice?

 

[shimmerz]

Has the therapist told you what you might expect in processing memories? Do you at present have somatic responses? Do you dissociate? If so, is it DID like or DDNOS like? Night terrors? Will you need support sleeping? What about work? Will you need to be concerned about losing time at work due to abreactions?

 

[Hopeful1973]

Yes she has told me things to expect. But I don't believe coming from even a therapist that you can quite be sure what to expect because every situation has to be different.My somatic responses also occur exactly in the same spot where I was diagnosed with shingles starting at the top of my left shoulder blade running down and a long underneath my armpit. It is definitely worse when I Am under stress or nervous. I do not disassociate. It seems lately I have had more nightmares but seem to be dealing well with those by using my coping skills. I am lucky in the fact that I homeschool our youngest son of seven but seem to be dealing well with those by using my coping skills. I am lucky in the fact that I homeschool our youngest son of seven and I have a great support system at home. My husband is the best so I do not worry about daily things while going through therapy.Please continue to ask me questions or tell me anything else that you can I feel so much better just by chatting with you.

 

[shimmerz]

Have you any idea what type of memories or the timeframe of the memories you may be expecting?

 

[Hopeful1973]

over 4 ages 4-8 maybe 9

 

[shimmerz]

So then post verbal is good. Less somatics that way - or at least with the EMDR you won't be dealing so much with pre-verbal.

 

[Hopeful1973]

One thing that I do not believe that I covered with her but yet have read things about is feeling the actual physical pains of a repressed memory as if it were happening at that time do you know if this is true or not.

 

[Hopeful1973]

anyone?