Assault Ptsd And Emdr And Assault

[zooch1973]

Hello all,

After I was assaulted I developed PTSD. Later on it was decided that I needed EMDR. While having this treatment it was said that I was suffering from PTSD as a result of the assault. After about 8 sessions it was decided to go back to my childhood memories which led to things that happened in the past to come out in my memories during the treatment. Does this mean that the assault is not directly responsible for the PTSD? Do I blame PTSD on the assault or partly? They have caught the person who assaulted me and a claim is being made. I am confused as the effects of the assault is still very real to me. Also when I leave these sessions I get the shakes. I get these shakes, along with sweating and crying during the sessions. Is this normal?

 

[Kb3]

Hi zooch1973,

I was also traumatised in my recent past, and had traumatic experiences as a child. For most of my early to mid adulthood I suffered with depression and anxiety, but it wasn't until the more recent situation that I developed full blown PTSD.

Most likely my earlier experiences primed me for PTSD, and made me more vulnerable to developing it. It is highly likely though, that what happened more recently would have resulted in PTSD on its own.

I have done EMDR and now do a different therapy called Somatic Experiencing. I didn't have shakes or crying with EMDR, but I have had that with SE. It is described as the central nervous system resetting itself by releasing trapped traumatic energy. Sounds wacky, but it has definitely helped me.

What does your EMDR therapist say about your reaction to sessions?

 

[zooch1973]

Hi

Thanks for your reply. The T said that this is all good coming out as was surpressing some of my feelings. At the moment I don't feel good. Very tiring....this on it own takes two days to recover. After this I get really depressed and the assault feeling come back...i feel physically sick....want to scream! Had talk therapy and CBT and found this did not really help. You have to be motivated to do CBT and this is difficult when feeling depressed. I was amazed how much I sweat during EMDR.

 

[braggie]

Hey braggie...just a thought..is your therapist a man?..I cried going through my emdr. I dont do it anymore..my therapist says she feels it helps..but she wasnt going to force me...I feel stupid doing it. And sooo drained and upset..then i gotta be a mom and wife and cant.

 

[a3a2]

12 sessions of EMDR undery belt. I started with hyperventilating, nearly passing out, and started going into shock. My t was insistent that if I couldn't leave the traumatic feelings behind after EMDR, I call her back and come back in asap! I did need to do this once. Is your t giving you enough time to come out of things at the end of the session? Have he/she spent enough te on relaxation techniques? Doesn't sound like it to me.