Emdr

[therapybankrupt]

Hello everyone I am happy to find a section on EMDR treatment it is what gives me new hope.

I started the process for treatment about a year ago . My therapist is qualified and uses a hand and ear devices. The sound and buzzing goes right to left. Fast for processing and slow for safe place. The actual EMDR was started two months ago when my Therapist decided I was prepared and ready to proceed.

I have uncovered buried trauma and things I did not even think were trauma. Childhood sex abuse, accidental and medical trauma.

The hour and a half in the office is exhausting. The traumas that are uncovered and discussed are fading in intensity during each session. We always end session with safe place and I always spend a half hour in my car doing breathing and grounding to make sure I can drive home with a clear mind.

I am struggling with is the fact I sleep fourteen hours a day in between sessions! My brain is constantly flashing back to good and traumatic times from my life like a movie as I sleep. Sometimes ten to twenty a night. Luckily the flashbacks are not repeated.

My Therapist said it is good and all the sleeping is ok because my brain is working very hard in-between sessions. She requested that I keep a diary of the new findings.

The processing continues between the weekly EMDR. Memories that were forgotten are now coming to light during sleep. Nothing I can not handle and if it was an issue I am instructed to call for help. I use my safe place and my tools to get through.

I am also amazed that the EMDR process with the Therapist is so much easier for sharing the information. Before I could not express some of the trauma. For me I feel like it is a dream revealing itself. Sometimes it is very intense. I have even disassociated one time. We work on the trauma and each it lessens in intensity right away. It is amazing.

I am hoping this will be positive for my recovery and that it has helped you!

 

[anndeb]

Sounds like you are getting a lot of good out of this, therapyb..congrats. Keep up the good work as long as it continues to help.

 

[therapybankrupt]

Thanks Anndeb for your encouragement!

I hope I have posted in the right place. I have a problem as I am working on the abuse. I get body symptoms related to the sexual abuse! It is happening often. Usually after a flashback or processing with EMDR. I am getting concerned because it is painful cramping. I am wondering if I should make an appointment with the Gyno or just chalk it up to part of the process. Anyone have this type of experience? Its the pits. Thanks

 

[anndeb]

Yes I agree it is the pits and yes I have also experienced body symptoms, cramping and burning sensations .. associated mostly with flashbacks for me (I have never yet tried EMDR) .. They have been intense and very unpleasant but never lasting longer than a minute or two in my case nor very often.. and so I have never had them checked out with a medical Dr. However I imagine it would never hurt to do that to be sure there is nothing that needs to be looked at from a physical standpoint..

One of my very first experiences after first accessing my memories of my abuse was a flashback with awful cramping and burning and it in fact helped me feel I had real confirming 'evidence' of what had happened so many years ago.. This has subsided considerably thru the years until I now rarely get any flashbacks nor body sensations at all..

The psychological coping mechanisms I struggle with have lingered more for me in the present.. and so I would say be encouraged that what you are going thru may be rather intense for you now, but in time may well become more tolerable especially with your therapy treatment. Best wishes to you on your journey. :hug:

 

[therapybankrupt]

This has subsided considerably thru the years until I now rarely get any flashbacks nor body sensations

Hi Anndeb! Once again I am not alone with an experience. I am sorry you also have suffered with this also. Its awful. Its good to know it went away with time. I guess I will give it a little time before making a doctors appointment. Thanks for your reply:hug:

Tb

 

[Mercy]

Thanks Anndeb for your encouragement!

I hope I have posted in the right place. I have a problem as I am working on the abuse. I get body symptoms related to the sexual abuse! It is happening often. Usually after a flashback or processing with EMDR. I am getting concerned because it is painful cramping. I am wondering if I should make an appointment with the Gyno or just chalk it up to part of the process. Anyone have this type of experience? Its the pits. Thanks

I have been doing EMDR for a while now. IMHO, it would be good for you to see your Gyno Dr. It is always prudent to take good care of yourself.

I had a friend who attributed her pain symptoms and neurological symptoms to PTSD body memories. She was getting more symptomatic as time went on. After ten years of suffering, she went to a Dr. who diagnosed her with Lymes Disease. But by then the effects of Lymes were permanent.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. (What a New England thing to say but you get what I mean)

 

[therapybankrupt]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. (What a New England thing to say but you get what I mean)

Thanks Mercy for your advice. My annual is in April. Might go sooner. I am assuming you do not experience this sort of body memories. Good for you. It is awful just out of the blue with the EMDR related work. That coincedence leaves me questioning going for financial reasons and that dreaded stressful appoinment unnecessarily.

I hate being stuck in this. I will talk to my T about it tomorrow. Hopefully this will help me get proactive along with everyones support here. I have that inner voice telling me to go get it checked. As you well know it is easy to not listen to your inner self because of doubts of judgement. Something I need to work on. Thanks again!


Tb

 

[therapybankrupt]

I saw a Doctor and everything is healthy. The symptoms were random. So I thought until I processed and reprocessed a trauma the cramps are gone. Then I was plagued with problems walking. Felt like the bones between my legs were bruised.

Did EMDR again and processed a new memory of trauma. Rape during surgery. Explains the pain. Will not be able to finish processing until next week. A few more symptoms have evolved with the memory. I will spare you the details. I hope I can handle all this. I will fill you in if it is related.

 

[Springer80]

Dear Tb,

Just wanted to send my support to you and my hope that your grieving will leave you stronger and more free. X