EMDR - your experience and thoughts

[EllyJ]

Hi all, my psychiatrist has suggested me undergoing EMDR treatment for PTSD. My PTSD is from childhood sexual abuse, and it is aiming to desensitise me to those memories. 

I would like to know if others have received this type of treatment, and could provide any words on your experience and words of advice. 

I'm kind of concerned about digging through all the traumas that I endured over approximately 12 years, but I'm looking for whatever treatment I can to relieve some of this. Many thanks in advance for your responses.

[Sophie_M]

Dear EllyJ
 
Welcome to the Beyond Blue forums we are so glad that you have made you way here and had the bravery to post. We want you to know that this is a safe space to discuss your thoughts, feelings and experiences and receive honest responses and suggestions from fellow forum users.
 
While you wait for one of our community members to respond, we thought we would pop in and let you know of some other threads on EMDR that you might like to see or join:

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/ptsd-and-trauma/emdr/td-p/398306
  
https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/emdr-eye-movement-desensitisatio...
  
https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/emdr-what-s-your-views-opinions-...
  
We also wanted to let you know that we are also here 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via our Webchat.  Our team who answer the phones are ready to have a supportive and non-judgmental chat whenever you need it.
 
We’re sure to hear from some of our lovely community members here on your thread soon. They’re a really amazing community, and will have understanding, advice and kind words for you.  Thanks again for sharing. It’s a powerful and brave first step towards feeling better.
 
Regards 
 
Sophie M
 

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi EllyJ,

Thanks for reaching out to us and I'm sorry that you've had to endure that.

Yes I've been doing EMDR; you can ask me anything you like but as you'll see from the posts Sophie shared everyone's experience is so so different.  I have found it extremely helpful and wish that I'd started sooner.

As for advice?  I think the biggest thing is to trust yourself.  It's okay if you're not ready, it's okay if you want to go slow, it's okay if you want to stop.  EMDR has a procedure and a method so I've often felt like I have to 'follow protocol' so permission to just slow down is so important.  

Therapy of any kind can be really tough, so take care of yourself.

rt