Giving emdr another try

[BoN-bOn]

It’s been over a year since I’ve tried EMDR. Last time was kind of a disaster, I dissociated so bad & then would go home & be a complete mess with so many memories surfacing. Nightmares & panic attacks increased. I’ve been working closely with my therapist since then. I feel like I have tools now to keep me grounded & I trust her & feel much safer with her now than I did when I started. I think I want to try it again. Any suggestions or tips? I just don’t want it to destabilize me like before & I don’t want the anxiety of my last experience to prevent it from being beneficial to me now.

 

[Still Standing]

Have you talked with your T about returning to EMDR? That would be the first thing I would do is see what she thinks. But, if you think you are ready to try again and she is willing, going at a slower pace might be warranted. I can't comment beyond this for you. I do however think it is great that you are considering doing it again.

 

[BoN-bOn]

Yes she said I could try again when I feel ready. I think I’m there. :confused:

 

[Still Standing]

Well I guess we will embark on this together. I start, for the first time, EMDR, this coming week. Should be fun...not! :nailbiting:

 

[EveHarrington]

My advice is to not rush things. Listen to your body and your mind.

Good luck!

 

[MrMoonlight]

It’s been over a year since I’ve tried EMDR. Last time was kind of a disaster, I dissociated so bad...

You are really brave. I am just starting my first round of emdr. Before we began we took time to find install a 'safe place' to visualize and meditate on. We have also incorporated a 'safe word' that I say at the beginning of the visualization. Now upon reading or hearing the word my mind and mody automatically relax.

I have also incorporated sounds, smells and even tastes. When I feel anxious in therapy while doing emdr she will ask me to go to my safe place to calm myself.

I have found this enormously helpful in both therapy and daily life. I don't know if safe place visualization is normal in emdr but it is what came to mind when reading the thread title. Hope it goes well for you.

 

[Joan]

Well done working this past year to get tools in your tool belt and feel you are ready. I agree with others it is so important to had something you identify as safe to return to...a place (real or imaginary), smells, sounds, textures, tastes...so important that you incorporate some of these before you leave your T office, have some in your car, etc. Go at your own pace, no pressure, no expectations. Best wishes!

 

[BoN-bOn]

Thank you! Here’s hoping I don’t chicken out before next session! Fingers crossed I can make progress this time!

 

[Faustino]

I'd like to wish you well, too @BoN-bOn @Still Standing @MrMoonlight as I've just embarked on EMDR as well and feel your concerns. I've established the safe space, too, and now just have to bring my defences down so that I can allow some feelings to manifest. Over thirty years of not allowing emotions for fear of being overwhelmed, it's no joke to let feelings come out. A huge challenge.
Best of luck to everybody.

 

[Freida]

I've been doing EMDR weekly for almost a year - so here's some of the things I found along the way that work for me...

• Safe place is a must. But if you can't get there say something ASAP. I was never able to create one so she has to ground me to the real world - which slows things down a bit
• Remember you are always in control. If you are overwhelmed speak up! Just say - I need a break, I need to stop, I need to slow down. It's ok. Your therapist will guide you but you have to be willing to work with her.
• Do NOT try to push it. You have nothing to prove and if you try to push yourself to some "goal" you will just end up tired and frustrated (yep - did that)
  
• Eat something light an hour or so before you go. Enough to have something in your stomach in case you feel queasy but not enough to make you feel like puking. If you get nauseated tell your T!.
  
• Do not do anything afterwards! Go home and rest. Your brain will be working incredibly hard during and after the session. I'm usually wiped out that night and most of the next day. Choose some good bingey stuff on netflix and camp.
• You might be a bit temperamental (or raving beootch as hubby says) on and off for the next few days. Don't let it freak you out...it's just part of the process. But you might want to warn your nearest and dearest.....
  
• If you have to drive home make sure you settle down first. It might be a good idea to have someone drive you the first time or so, just so you know how you will react
• Don't worry about how many times you will have to go. It takes as long as it takes - there is no rule book (did I mention going on a year?)
  
• Know that it will be worth it in the end. It's kind of like going to the gym. You hate it while you are there but eventually you look great in that new swimsuit
• Be ready to celebrate! When it works it's like flipping a switch - suddenly that horrible memory/event just doesn't seem that important anymore. It is the most amazing thing!

 

[BoN-bOn]

Thank you @frieda! Very good pointers. Yes I remember last time leaving the office so dissociated & disconnected that I drove the opposite direction of my house without even realizing it!

 

[Victory]

I did not enjoy, nor did I make much progress with EMDR. Could have been me, or could have been the doctor doing it because she acted like I was a burden, that I was boring her silly. Anyway, since then I've discovered Brainspotting by David Grand, PhD. I bought his CD set from Amazon, but I see that you can get it through Walmart as well.
I do NOT review trauma events while listening. I just plain listen. The music itself makes my eyes move much like EMDR, but without me forcing them to move. I use stereo headphones and listen in private about once every 12 hours. Once I tried to listen two times in a row and became very nauseated, and shaky, with a terrible headache. And I only listen to the first CD because the second one is too jazzy, so it makes my adrenaline pump and I cannot handle any more adrenaline in my body.
You can learn more by Googling "What is Brainspotting?"
And if you decide to try it, I'd love to hear your opinion of it.