Stuck In A Flashback During EMDR

[changed]

Has anyone had a flashback where they got stuck?
I had a session of EMDR and I got stuck in the memory, it took me ages to get back to normal and even then I couldnt get any words out. My T was really worried, think she thought she broke me. She took me to my friend and left me, it was awful. I wasnt right for about 2weeks. When I asked her she said something about being temporarily retarded- I found that a little hurtful and insulting but I know that it wasnt meant like that.

She said I wasnt responding to her at all once I got stuck she tried to get me out of it but nothing was working, Tapping, talking, moving, safeplace etc.

Just wondered if this is really strange or if anyone else has had this. I wasnt even aware of her and when I was I couldnt respond.

Changed x

 

[Iam]

I'm sorry that that happened Changed. Must have been really scary for you. I have heard that getting stuck is a possibility, but haven't used the EMDR techinque. I do know that I sometimes get really thrown emotionally for weeks with some of the techniques my T and I have tried. I know we have to address these past traumas, but am not sure where the balance is. I presume it is different for everyone.

 

[sassyfras]

Hey Changed,

Maybe you and T should hold off on the EMDR? I've heard good things about it, but I have also heard very bad things as well. I dissociate a lot and it feels like I'm not even there. I feel like I am almost wasting my therapists time because I am just there staring blankly at an electrical outlet or a part of the wall. It can be really scary when you don't even know it happened and then you find out later. It sucks so bad, but I do believe that we can get through this, process these things, and overcome these obstacles.

Try to take it easy and rest as best you can, you will be in my prayers.

Good Luck and much strength your way!!

 

[changed]

That was a few weeks ago, I think she was really scared about what happened.

Since then we have done EMDR for nice memories, childhood things- I think it was to give me a little confidence back with it. We have done EMDR since for 2 different parts of my trauma but much easier bits that cant spiral out of control. On wednesday we are going a bit closer to the trauma, im scared because its very close and I dont want to spiral into the main thing. However I have confidence in her and now we both know how raw the trauma still is to me I think we will both be treading carefully this time.

Changed x

 

[Lucycat]

Hi Changed,

I have disociated during EMDR but not as bad as you describe.

When I first started having EMDR I only went back to the trauma for literally a few seconds at a time. My T. thought I would not cope with any longer, and I can see that I could so easily have ended up in your situation. Now that we are through the worst of it I can go back for several minutes without any problem.

I never realised just how many EMDR sessions I would have or need, but none of it is as bad now. The main traumas have been dealt with and this is rather like mopping up the residue. I would love to be able to tell all my friends and work colleagues what an effective therapy it is, but I can't without divulging why I'm needing it.

It is so good on here to hear other people's experiences, and know that they truly understand what EMDR is like.

Good luck with your future sessions!

Regards,
Lucy x

 

[changed]

Lucy,

thankyou for your post, its comforting knowing im not alone.

Im happy to hear that you have got through the worst of it and are just tidying up the rough edges on it, its really possitive to know! Its amazing how many sessions that therapy actually takes! Apparently here in the UK T's are allocated 20 sessions as a guideline Ive went over that almost 3 times. Ive read about people instantly being cured but it actually dosent seem that common getting better with one or two sessions. I too did not realise how many it took to get somewhere.

Thanks again
Changed x

 

[Artista]

I remember thinking if maybe I went away for a weekend or a week I could be "cured". I was naive in the beginning of tackling this! That really is scary what happened to you! I have been hesitant for fearing things like this in trying EMDR. Must have been something to really shake you... repressed memory? Hope for the best for you.

 

[changed]

Hi Artista. Yes it was scary and still is, I think we just went into the centre of my trauma too fast too soon, my T thought I was alot stronger than I actually am.

I wouldnt put anyone off EMDR as it is different for everyone and smaller parts of my trauma which we have done EMDR on are much more bearable and hardly distressing at all now. I am yet to get back to the centre of it and it is something which I am dreading but I know if it can be tackled with caution then it will make things easier.

What I would recomend if you or anyone is considering EMDR is to make a list of the parts of the trauma, even things that you did leading up to it or after how you felt. Number them and start your EMDR on the easiest possible part. That is what im going through just now and im away to start my 3rd area, it seems to be going better than just diving into it.

Hugs x

 

[Lucycat]

I see that this is an old thread, but have revisited it since my experience this week.

I 'got stuck' during EMDR on Tuesday. My T. got me to leave the memory in a safe place to go back to next time. It was really tough and took a lot of hard work for both of us for me to come back to the present. He was talking about mundane day-to-day nonsense at the end just to try and ground me.I remember him talking but not what it was about.

I barely slept with it going round in my head, but I suddenly saw a way out - a way to make the memory safer to leave. My T texted me first thing next morning to see how I had coped overnight and was pleased with my temporary solution. I am still in the situation whereby I cannot take myself back to the memory, as I am scared I will not get back by myself. I am not sure when I will see T again, but he is in daily contact at the moment.

It has not put me off EMDR, rather shown me just how powerful our memories and emotions are. I know my T has sought advice, and already has plans on how to proceed. I have taken the week off work so that I can take care of me, until this is resolved.

 

[OKRADLAK]

I got stuck two days. The T had to come over to sit with me, which was nice, but it did not stop it. WHY does it do that to some people???

I will never do EMDR again.

It took me 2 full days to get out of the hell of it and then maybe a WEEK to feel normal.

 

[Lucycat]

I was stuck there until the next EMDR 6 days later. But I was determined to see it through. At the next session the way out was pretty easy. I could not understand why I could not see that the week before.

It has certainly not put me off EMDR. Quite the opposite. Although I don't ever want to get stuck again I do want to shift these memories. I still hate EMDR with a vengence but it is so effective that I know it is worth it.

 

[OKRADLAK]

Lucy-

Six days?? That must have been horrible!

How does it work? I still can't understand why rapid eye movement does that. Is it that it puts us in a dream state?