EMDR.... what’s your views/opinions/experiences.....

[Idkme]

I’ve read a bit about EMDR lately and wondered if others have used it or heard about it with dealing with complex trauma?

My issue I’d be worried about is focusing on one key moment because there were lots of ‘moments’ for me...

curious to know peoples experiences....

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Idkme (and a wave to all),

Thank you so much for sharing that with us 🙂 It’s great to hear from you again.

It sounds like you’re gaining a lot of insight from the book. There’s some very thought provoking material there...

I like how the author is so caring and understanding with the reminders to take a break from reading if you’re feeling triggered or overwhelmed. I’m glad that you’re being kind to yourself by resting and pausing when needed...some wonderful self care happening there...

Caring and warm thoughts,

Pepper

[Bobbie1982]

Hi Idkme,

I’ve been having EMDR therapy for over a year now (not constant EMDR, I’ve had therapy breaks in between, and also used a range of other therapies to work through my traumas).

I’ve found it to be one of the most beneficial forms of therapy for me (and I’ve had a lot of different therapies). But it’s also been one of the most intense and hardest! The results have really surprised me!

I was initially quite skeptic about the whole idea that moving your eyes could help process traumatic memories in any way!! So I read up about it, researched it like crazy, and eventually found a psych who is trained in EMDR.

My initial expectations were that I would just need a few sessions and that would be enough to “fix” me, but the process has turned out to be a lot longer than what I expected.

I experienced years of significant trauma throughout my childhood, and processing those memories takes time. I wanted a quick fix, and had already spent so many years in therapy.

After processing a particular memory (or cluster of memories), I have found that my triggers, flashbacks and body “memories” are MUCH less in frequency and intensity!!

the first two days after a session of EMDR are usually pretty hard for me though. I struggle with big feelings and lots of nightmares - which is apparently just the processing continuing in my brain. Then it calms down and I feel like something has really shifted.

I would suggest that if you are going to do EMDR (if you haven’t already!), it’s important to make sure that you have plenty of distress tolerance skills up your sleeves, cos like any processing of trauma, it isn’t easy, not a quick fix like I thought it would be.

wich you the best of luck! And happy to chat more about it if you like/need.

Take care,

Bobbie

[Idkme]

Thanks Bobbie,

its good to get feedback from someone who has experienced the treatment and it’s also great to get your personal opinion too.

I’m glad it worked for you, but not good that it’s taken so long. It’s so hard when you not get support for 10 psych visit er year... argh,

anyway... only 1 month unti my appointment

[Bobbie1982]

Yeah, the Medicare rebate limit does make things hard! I am actually seeing my current psych under NSW Victims Services support. If you’re in NSW, you can access about 20 counseling sessions at no cost to you..not sure what they do in other states though.

It is annoying that the therapy has been taking so long, but in the scheme of things, and considering how much improvement in my ptsd symptoms I’ve experienced, it’s been worth it so far.

The length of EMDR therapy treatment will vary depending on a number of factors including how old you were at the time of the trauma, the frequency (one off event, or multiple or ongoing, etc), and the individual as well.

My psych has also been suggesting doing some neurofeedback before we return to some more EMDR. I’ll let you know how that goes too! She thinks that the neurofeedback will help me to maintain more stability for when we do return to EMDR...it’s something to do with the pathways in the brain and kind of reprogramming them a bit (I think lol!)

If you’re happy to, keep us updated on your journey with the EMDR. I don’t know anyone else who has done it, only myself! (though I have recommended it to a few people lol)

Bobbie 🙂

[Bobbie1982]

Just read your original post and wanted to comment regarding your concern about the working on one memory at a time bit....

I’ll often start the EMDR therapy by focusing on one particular memory that has been particularly bothering me. It actually usually a series of memories all jumbled together. I experience a lot of ‘body memories’ that trigger a lot of images about a whole bunch of different memories. When we work on that in therapy, the EMDR session is about the whole ‘cluster’ of memories, rather than one in particular. But at the start, I choose just one image or feeling or thought to focus on. Everything else will come up as needed...if that makes sense?

I experienced a lot of sexual abuse from the age of about 3 until I was 10 by a family member, and then again when I was 14 and 17 by other people. When I get flashbacks, it often feels like a lot of the different memories are mashed together. My psych helps me to sort it and pick the most ‘pressing’ memory to focus on at the start. The others usually follow as we do the EMDR.

there are also a range of techniques used in EMDR, not just eye movements. Sometimes we use buzzers. I hold one in each hand, and they vibrate alternatively. There are also times when we use a tapping method, which is where I’ll tap my hands on my lap, or have my arms crossed and tap on each shoulder. It’s all about stimulating different parts of the brain.

sometimes I will feel frustrated during a sessions as I feel like it’s not doing anything and there’s no point, but I just do it anyway. 90% of the time, I will start to feel that things have actually shifted a day or two after the actual EMDR session. So even though I may not feel like it’s working at the actual time, it must be doing something in my brain, as it shows in the following days.

hope this helps answer your question about the one vs many memory thing! Happy for you to ask me anything else you may have questions about 🙂

Bobbie

[Idkme]

Thanks Bobbie,

thats a really good explanation of how it works. I’m kind of not sure what I’m expecting yet but will definitely keep you all updated. It’s good to get the advice that it might not happen straight away. That’s something I will definitely keep in mind.

[Bobbie1982]

Good luck Idkme!! Hope it goes really well for you!

be kind to yourself,

Bobbie 🙂

[Idkme]

So.... I had my first EMDR visit,

the receptionist called this morning and asked if I could go in early. I am very happy she did because I was starting to stress about the first appointment, so I had less time to worry.

The appointment was handled very professionally and comfortably. We went through what happens when we re- process a memory (which I had read in the book). And just double checked that I had coping skills so I could return to the present if ever I get to deep in the past memory.

We discussed how the memories are mostly lies or beliefs and that looking into those beliefs and placing them in the appropriate time line with the appropriate responses was part of leaving your past in the past and moving forward having left those associated feelings back where they were.

We discussed a lot more including my family associations. And then we decided a memory we can process next visit.

Overall it was a great first visit. I felt informed and now I’m just excited for the next visit. Lets hope they are all as easy as this one.

[Idkme]

Hi everyone....

i just had EMDR visit 3. It really is amazing the reactions I get and the things that come up.... last visit I nearly had a panick attack, this visit was a bit calmer and I was starting to think nothing was really happening and that I was blocking the process. But when I got to the car... wow did the emotional flood gates open.... I cried my heart out and then got angry and then blubbered again. But above all was the relief and realisation of some of the things that had been holding me back.... what I thought was the trauma I experienced through teenage sexual abuse was linked to a negative self talk I had established as a small child which had encouraged me to seek out male affection. Unfortunately for me the wrong ones were around at the wrong times... which had led me to the negative mindset that I was stupid. But that’s not the case, I was looking for comfort, for a brotherly love which didn’t happen and my parents had divorced which further separated my brother and I.

So, in my opinion, it works.

[Bobbie1982]

Hi Idkme,

so glad you’re having a positive experience with EMDR!

My therapist and I have taken a break from EMDR for a bit, and are doing some neurofeedback session, which she thinks will really help me to cope with the processing throughout EMDR a bit better.

I have had sessions where I felt like they were pointless, and like I wasn’t getting anywhere, but like you, as soon as I got to my car, it’d hit me...or a while after. Not always so emotional though, sometimes I have just noticed in the days after EMDR that I haven’t been struggling so much with something.

It IS incredible how it actually works! I have been in and out of therapy for half my life (I’m 37 now), and have tried so many different therapies and programs. I think all have helped in some form or another, but nothing like EMDR!

please keep me updated on how you progress! I haven’t known anyone else who has actually been through EMDR before.

Take care,

Bobbie