Emdr Worked First Time, Not Second Time?

[Deleted member 27262]

Hi everyone,

I know there are a few EMDR threads and people who are interested in it, love reading about it. I suffer from child abuse and all the bad things that come with it. I had my EMDR session which was very intense. It took a few finger movements to get me into a trance. The second time I went into EMDR this week, nothing happened. I started to feel something and then it stopped. My therapist thinks it's my defense mechanisms coming up because I went from starting to feel something to numbness.

I think I should keep going because it seems to work. I felt way less depressed after my 1st session. Does anyone have any tips or experiences about EMDR not working out for some of their sessions?

I tried to have her move her fingers slower, faster, think of this and that....but couldn't figure out what made me fall into the trance. Only possibility is my defense mechanisms.

Thank you!

 

[Deleted member 19804]

I know exactly what you mean. The only difference with me is that my T and I have yet to find a way in through my defense mechanisms. We stopped after a few sessions, because apparently the walls I built around me are still too strong. But I recently convinced her to keep trying, as I just want to get through it. I do not want to live like this anymore.

I think it's different for everyone how long it takes to get through to the core of your PTSD. And I guess practice makes perfect, so don't give up on it yet. Sometimes the sessions will be very intense, other times it'll do close to nothing.

Do you have any grounding techniques? Or ways to get yourself to relax? I think it's important to literally keep an open mind. You need to feel calm and have faith. Don't be too disappointed if the treatment doesn't work right away, or not every time. It's still therapy, not medicine ;)

I hope things'll work out for you soon!

 

[ButterflyBean]

Hello,

I know this was only your second session, so my first piece of advice would be to be patient with the process! It takes time to get comfortable and become in tune with your body. My second thought would be to try vibrating tappers as a means of bilateral stimulation instead of following her fingers. Everything is the same process other then the fact that you hold them in your hands, so some people find it easier to focus on what arises. I don't know if your therapist uses them, but it wouldn't hurt to ask! I wish you the best of luck! It does take time, but it was well worth it for me!

 

[Deleted member 20280]

@rara200284 welcome to the forum :)

If you feel comfortable continuing with EMDR then I would continue. EMDR can be really powerful as it is an aggressive therapy that opens the neural pathways into Latent Repressed Memory storage in the brain. Your unconcious mind may well be protecting you from those repressed memories as a defence mechanism.

Hopefully you have effective grounding techniques that you can use after therapy as you may well find that one or more of those memories will re-surface even a few days after the session.

I wish you every progress if you do chose to continue with EMDR. It can work for some people and others not work at all.

I had EMDR this time last year andd it really did open my mind to the abuses I suffered at a very young age. I had terrifying flashbacks but percevered and it got better.

Kindest Regards.

Laurie

 

[Lucycat]

It took a few finger movements to get me into a trance.

tried to have her move her fingers slower, faster, think of this and that....but couldn't figure out what made me fall into the trance.

what do you mean? I have very many sessions of EMDR. Most successful, just one that was not. I have never been in a trance and would not expect to be. I am not sure if it really is EMDR that you are describing?

 

[Deleted member 20280]

I believe @rara200284 is describing the focussed mental state in relation to the word Trance.

I had eight sessions a year ago and regularly felt like I was in a 'Trance' like state in session. The trance feeling is a common way to describe the effects of successful EMDR retrieval of latent memories.

EMDR is different for every sufferer as a therapy. It depends on the individuals susceptability to therapeutic suggestion.

 

[Deleted member 27262]

I was at the optometry today and they had me follow a wand around with my eyes to test my eye muscle. I began to feel as if I was falling into the EMDR trance. I started to feel really anxious. It was so quick. Maybe I'll ask my therapist as well if she has a wand. Sometimes I feel like her fingers blend into the wall.

 

[Lucycat]

My concern with the word trance is that I interpret as meaning being out of control - like in hypnosis when the hypnotist can 'make you ' do silly stuff while in a trance.

For me it is essential to feel in control at all times or I would not be able to tolerate the therapy. I do get what you are saying about being mentally focused, but not a trance.