Emdr Worked!!!!

[Iam]

Hi All,

I just have to share that the EMDR worked for me! My EMDR therapist thinks that I no longer fit the diagnostic criteria of PTSD!!! We are doing a formal evaluation next week. I have been sleeping thru the night for a long time and I realize I actually have good dreams now. I am no longer hypervigilent, I don't startle all the time. I no longer just lie around and do nothing. I am starting to want to be with people again. Most of the physical pain is gone.

I had a HUGE shift a couple of weeks ago in which I was finally able to take my frozen ego states in. Actually feeling compassion for them and wanting to protect them as well as those ego states being willing to be protected and soothed. Hard to explain it, but I feel like I have finally integrated all of those parts into a whole. It's like each ego state has finally been heard and understood which has released them from the past. Don't know how else to explain it.

I understand that EMDR is NOT for everyone, but boy.....for me, it has worked! That along with CBT and talk therapy. 2 long years of intensive therapy (the last year seeing 2 therapists every week). I had suppressed everything so deeply, but the EMDR allowed it to surface. Simply amazing!

I am still going to continue therapy for awhile. EMDR to cement somethings and my sessions with my regular T to figure out what new career I want to work towards. As well as on some spiritual things with both Ts. I feel like these sessions are more for self growth. Not that working on the traumas wasn't self growth, but it was more putting the past to rest. Now I am working towards defining who I want to be.

I want to thank you Anthony for this site and all your hard work. You too Nicolette. As well as the many here who have been such a support for me. ITL, Nighthawk, Gloria, KP, Froggie, James, ISH, Curiouser, Jawn, Amethist, Just Me, Artista, Jade, Bloom, Seedling, Ayesha, Anni and so many more! This site truly helped me survive. Now to move on and THRIVE!

Hugs to all here <3

 

[intothelight]

(((Iam)))

What a wonderful testimony to how hard work and therapy can pay off. You certainly reflect your user name. "I am" and you certainly are!

Deb

 

[KP the nut]

(((Iam))) Bloody fantastic news. I am so over the moon for you. It worked for me as well and for that I am grateful.

I wish you peace for the future and all the good things which you deserve. You have helped me many times and for that I thank you.

Love
KP

 

[BloomInWinter]

(((((Iam))))

So happy for you! May your new journey on the peace-filled path more rewarding and fulfilling than you can possibly imagine!

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I am sooooo very very very very happy for you, I am!! So positive, so healthy!

So much hope you have given me and all of us towards looking into the future!

I am also deeply honered you mentioned me in your post...Just had to say that. I am grinning so hard it hurts my mouth. :D:D

 

[Cindy532]

I'm so happy for you that you are doing so well!! I'm just starting out with the EMDR so hoping and crossing my fingers that it works for me too.

 

[Martin Taylor]

Excellent news, great timing I needed the positive news. Good for you.

 

[Iam]

I'm just starting out with the EMDR so hoping and crossing my fingers that it works for me too.

Hi Cindy, I'm glad that my experience has encouraged you. One note of caution, though you may already know this. When you start processing your trauma/s with EMDR (or any mode of therapy for that matter) it is EXTREMELY triggering. You will be far more symptomatic at first. Take your time with it, slow down at times if you need to. It took me far longer than I expected because there were times when we had to stop processing the traumas to work on current issues or just to talk thru what I had processed in the last session. I found that frustrating at times because I sooo wanted to just barrel through and be done with it all. Sometimes the pain was excruciating. I can now sit back and say it was all worth it, but there were times when I really wanted to quit. I'm so glad that I didn't!

I am still continuing therapy with both of my Ts. With one I am working on figuring out a new career and what I need to do to prepare myself for it. My EMDR T and I are going to process things that could be triggers in the future, just to cement what I've learned so future triggers don't drag me back down into PTSD symptoms.

There was a time when I couldn't imagine not having the support of my T's. Now I am feeling like I will be able to terminate therapy with them in the near future and be fine. They have been a lifeline for me. My primary for exactly 2 years and my EMDR T for exactly one year. I think I looked to them as not only my Ts, but maybe my friends as well. Now I see that they are simply my Ts, no longer my life lines and that I don't need them to be. I will be able to say goodbye with a grateful heart for their help, knowing I can stand on my own two feet. Though I do know that if necessary, I can always call and set up and appt. That's a good feeling!

 

[Cindy532]

Thanks Iam for your advice! I just started last week so only had one session of it so far. I noticed after that my brain hurt and I was tired from relieving it. I will remember what you said about the symptoms getting worse and taking care of yourself. I've been in a bad place with my PTSD so I'm hoping the EMDR will make a difference. Also i'm trying to get in a happy spot while I deal with my issues and become healthier. I've already noticed SIGH that I've recreated my trauma in my life and have been repeating the same patterns. I've been victimized over and over because I didn't deal with the first one. I want to be able to break those cycles. That's so awesome that you are able to break out into life own your own and manage. And yes, your therapists and all those who love will just be a phone call away.

 

[The Albatross]

Whoo hoo Iam!!! Awesome post and so glad you are doing so very well. Thank you for sharing. :tup:

 

[OKRADLAK]

((((((((((IAM!!))))))))))) Yay!!! Good news!! We are very glad for you. Go and THRIVE!:)

 

[seedling]

Iam, I'm so happy and proud of you. You are truly an exceptional patient for sticking to it all.
I remember where you were at one year ago and before. Congratulations on the new you (sort of the same as the old you minus a few things :D).

I'm working with my regular T and an acupuncturist now. I'm doing a variation on Emotional Freedom Technique on my own and with my acupuncturist (he taught it to me, calls it tapping technique). It brings things up for processing and the acupuncture helps me through the rough spots - anxiety, sleep etc. It's work going to appointments multiple times a week and seemingly working on the endless list of stuff. Your success gives me hope that I will see an end to it all.

Your story can give hope to many others.
Love to you dear one.