EMDR as a dissociative system, with PTSD; experiences?

[Dark.Green.Feathers]

Somewhere down the line, I think therapy will begin to include EMDR, with the current therapist. I’m open to it (more so than the previous part predominating therapy) but nervous.

What have your experiences been as people with dissociative disorders in EMDR? I’m curious about both sides; any complications, difficulties, and also positive developments. Additional challenges would also be appreciated. Mainly in the parts front.


It’s all on my own terms, and we’ll only begin EMDR when things are more stable and established. Far ahead, but I think it would be useful to know what to be aware of / expect when we do start. In this more niche area.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Will watch this with interest as my T is in EMDR training to specifically work with DID/ OSDD...

 

[thursday]

I "signed" up for EMDR, but we should do CBT the T said. Than she decided that it would work better for me to do Imaginary Exposure because of my dissociation. .

 

[Renly]

EMDR has been a game changer for us. It has been one of the most healing modalities we have utilized. My therapist and I didn’t know I had DID when we started EMDR, so I did end up going through periods of major flooding and dysregulation. It is likely some of my crises were a result of EMDR opening up the containers in my mind too quickly. I am fortunate to have a great support system and a lot of coping tools in my toolbox, so that helped…but start slowly and don’t be afraid to make modifications. Be aware the effects can last into the next few days as things are processing.

 

[Wendell_R]

We have done a lot of EMDR directly with individual parts. Initially, EMDR was extremely terrifying--the "tappers" that are often used brought up muscle memories of being hit. We went REALLY slow and did a lot of work on first getting used to the sensations, and then establishing a lot of resources that could be brought in during EMDR. Once all that was done, we had no problems and EMDR was effective. After we did EMDR, we were extremely tired and wiped out, but no bad PTSD flashbacks.