Dip After Processing Set Of Memories With Emdr?

[samson]

Hi,

I have just worked through a set of traumatic sexual assault memories. It took me a year. I felt really good for a couple of weeks and then we went onto another set of memories concerning childhood - not sexual abuse - but trauma nonetheless.

I have been really fighting depression. I'm so sad. I am already on Zoloft and it has been working just fine.

Has anyone else experienced this with emdr?

Samson

 

[I Can Do This]

I haven't done EMDR (but would like to) but I do know that when I heal from something in my childhood I often feel great afterwards - and then another memory will pop up. That means that I cleared out one and made room for another to be worked on. There wasn't room for it before to be at the forefront for healing. This will continue until you clear them all out. So this is normal. You are getting another opportunity to heal something that has been holding you back.

 

[LaurieJ]

Yes, I have experienced varied emotions ranging from being good to being depressed after EMDR sessions. I don't know what causes it. But after I do EMDR I have an appointment with my therapist to process any old or new feelings the next week. This has been my experience. Please be sure to mention your feeling of depression to your therapist. Hang in there too.

 

[zaniara]

Maybe you felt depressed during that time? Working on memories bring all those old feelings up to the surface. Talk to your therapist about how you feel, and don't give up on the process. It IS tough at times, but it's worth it. You know it is from your experiences with the other memories, now you will just have to trust it will work with those memories too. I don't do EMDR every time, I talk a lot in between and need time to process the stuff that comes up.

 

[therapybankrupt]

Hi Sampson! I have been doing EMDR for a while now. Have you considered that it might be stages of grieving. When I do trauma usually there is something I grieve loss of innocence, childhood, friends, family or whatever the case might be. You will find it is different each time. Also the reprocessing continues days after the EMDR appointment and you need to take good care of yourself. It is going to move quicker as you proceed both the processing and the EMDR. Best of wishes in your healing!

tb

 

[samson]

Thank you for the comments and encouragement. I believe it is both the depressing memories and grief - all at the same time. My therapist says I have to grieve some things from my past. I'm just in an overload situation right now with therapy and present day stress. I've increased my Zoloft in hopes that I can get my footing. I'm also in a financial bind and will have to cut back on my therapy appointments. I just need to buckle my seat belt.