Emdr sessions are easy but symptoms increasing

[Deleted member 42433]

I've done about 4 hours of EMDR. Started with early trauma memories. Nothing so far has bothered me. I've been through those earlier things soo many times. I'm eager to start addressing finding out my wonderful husband was a lying sex addict and getting raped in quick succession. However, my symptoms (nightmares, startle reaction, anxiety, dissasociation) have escalated rapidly. Will my symptoms calm between sessions somewhat? When we get to the stuff of my actual nightmares will I be back at square one, like not making new memories? I'm scared but determined. I have to shake this shit off.

 

[Suzetig]

EMDR is a form of exposure therapy so it makes sense that your symptoms would increase - the sessions themselves may feel ok but they will be stirring stuff up. Most of the actual processing of stuff in any therapy happens in between sessions, which is why it's important to pay attention to symptoms and distress outside of therapy.

If you go at the right pace, working with your therapist and being honest about how you're feeling between sessions you should be ok. But it's important to pace yourself - that means going a bit slower than you'd like to keep your distress at a manageable level, being back "at square one" means you've worked way beyond your tolerance level - it should be challenging but not overwhelming.

It's worth remember there are no magic bullets with trauma, each type of therapy gives a different way of pacing processing but the basic process is the same - recalling the event, memories etc so you can understand them and tolerate them. If you go too quickly you risk flooding yourself with emotions which will stop you in your tracks. This is one time where it's much better to be the tortoise than the hare.

 

[Deleted member 42433]

Thank you. That's solid advice.