Does Anyone Have Experience Of EMDR?

[2quilt]

maybe the therapist is discouraging you from doing EMDR because he or she does not have the training or success rate to do it.

 

[cherryblossom]

I just wanted to let you guys know, that my therapist has stopped my EMDR. She could see how badly it was affecting me, with no positive results, so we both agreed to stop. She basically said that if it was going to work, it would have at least started to have some benefit by now. And since I'd had no positive results, she didn't think it was worth distressing me any longer.

Maybe it was the therapist (I had some issues with her), or maybe it was me. I wonder whether the results would have been different with a different therapist. However, for me, for now, my EMDR journey is over.

I just wanted to say thanks to all who have shared their experiences here, and I hope others continue to do so, because I'd be interested to hear how you all get on.

regards, CB

 

[pandora]

I had my first session but it was more of an intro session...had to go over a chart of feeelings and answer numerous questions starting at age 0 and going up we ended at about age 10 as the session was over.....she booked me every week for the next month. I am not sure when the active EMDR will start but she is doing quite an extensive intro with a lot of questions. I was not upset at all yesterday and I felt very comfortable with her (growing up with her and knowing her Mom and sister too) that helped. So I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks and I hope that I get some more personal growth and healing....moving forward.

 

[onamshn02]

I just had my first EMDR session this morning, I feel really tired....is that normal, something to be alarmed about, good or bad?

 

[cherryblossom]

onamshn02,

I found EMDR totally wiped me out. I found it so emotional, that when I returned home, I would literally 'crash', both physically and emotionally. It really is very draining, and you need to take time out to process the sessions. I wish I'd had a better support system, to help get me through the times after EMDR. So, I honestly don't think you need to be alarmed. I wish you well.

 

[HollyH]

Yes it is perfectly normal to feel drained, EMDR helps you work through your trauma whilst reprocessing it in the right way in your brain - this is no easy task. Your therapist should help you though by bringing you 'back out' of the treatment at the end of your session and close it down positively. As Cherryblossom said, a good support network can be a great help after an EMDR session.

 

[pandora]

THAT WORRIES ME......EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE IN MY EVERDAY REAL LIFE....THEY WON'T understand I want to not feel so alone again while I start, I don't have anyone other than here that truly understand t it feels like to re-live these things and then pick up and move on....stop crying about it and move forward, easier said all and my everyday life and the constant migraines are really getting me down.

 

[cherryblossom]

Pand,

I've read lots of your posts. You are a strong woman, and you can do this. Like I said, I wish I'd had a support system, but I didn't. However, I still did the EMDR and survived!

You are absolutely right - people without PTSD will not understand. How can they? What they can do, with your guidance, is try to understand. You can let them help you by telling them what you think you might need after a session. Whether that be time alone to process your thoughts, perhaps someone could look after your son for an hour or so. Maybe you want someone to be with you, to talk to about the EMDR, in which case arrange for a close, understanding friend to be around for you. If you want to be distracted from it all, invite a friend round, who is not so close to you, for a gossip over coffee.

Obviously, I don't know all your circumstances, but you do say that there are more people in your everyday life. Use them to support you. If they care they will want to support you. It IS tough going, I won't pretend otherwise, so have a think about how you can use those around you to give you support.Sometimes that's just practical things, and sometimes they don't even know they are helping (like the gossip over a cup of coffee!). You don't have to try to be super woman, although from what I know about you, you're pretty damn close!!

I truely wish you well, and you have loads more strength and fight in you, than you give yourself credit for.

Regards

CB

 

[pandora]

Thank you for you kind words.....I am scared but looking forward to it at the same time and i really trust this therapist (growing up with her helps too).....I wish I had as much faith in me as you do and i definately don't feel like superwoman...today is a bad day though and I don't even know why......tonight will be a better night. I have company coming so that is positive, one day at a time.

My next appt is wed...I will keep you all posted. Take Care.

 

[ladybug08]

I had EMDR during my last session...the issue I was dealing with brought out such strong emotions that I could not continue. I was calm when I left, but I itched all over. I had to take benadryl the next two days. I do feel much better...stronger, more at peace, more focused. It is such hard work.

 

[pandora]

I went again today and we covered my entire history...that was hard as I had to admit alot of things that I have still been avoiding for years...even with all the CBT I have had we really worked on changing my thought processes and worked a lot on my rapes, that I know has helped as I am having less and less flashbacks and nightmares. I was amazed at all of the other traumas ( she considered a lot of the other things I told her were traumas..big or little, but aIl considered to be traumas. It all seems so confusing.....I was dissacociating.......my mind kept playing the song "a little bit of this...a little bit of that" over and over because it just seemed overwhelming.....I have had too many bad things happen for one person and I just want to lead a normal life, I hope this gives me peace of mind, she is assuring me that this will help. She was surprised at all that I have gone through yet i still am functioning.....not well, but it could be worse and the back injury has made things a bit tougher. There is alot of bad things that I still need to stop avoiding. When i could feel myself getting upset I could feel myself starting to shut down...she recognized it and told me i don't let my emotions overcome me, I shut down...ex....hearing songs or counting in my head but she saw that and called me on it. That was hard......I have a hard time expressing how bad I feel about them now.......even though i might have said my suds was a 2 or 3...then she would call me on my eyes tearing up or the shaking would start. There was just so much I just went over, I feel completely drained and that was just the intro. We talked about safe things and breathing etc. I am booked weekly for the next while. I think the EMDR is going to start either the next session or the one after that. I am scared to bring all of this to the surface but I trust in her and I know she wants to help.....

 

[linasmom]

Just a few things I'd like to mention about EMDR, that my therapist and I have discussed:

1.) - it's very important while doing EMDR that you are monitored very closely, which is why my therapist insists that whenever we do EMDR he sees me the very next week. He refuses to do any EMDR work with me if for some reason we will not see each other the following week.

2.) Personally, and from what my therapist agrees with - it's also important to not just go through EMDR without also engaging in CBT or Talk Therapy during that time. To endure EMDR without those things can be dangerous as you, the patient, are experiencing feelings that you will need help sorting out.

3.) And maybe this should have been number one - the person doing EMDR should assess the patient thoroughly before proceeding. Personally, I do not believe that any Professional can assess a patient in one session.

Just my thoughts...

Best,
Rachel