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sunrise · Mar 25, 2011, 02:00 AM

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Originally Posted by sunrise

My T describes it, at least as related to memories and experiences that are "stuck" for us (keep coming up again and again, we can't get past them),

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Originally Posted by Suratji

(meaning we react in the present as if we're experiencing what was trauma in the past???)

What I meant could include that. There are many manifestations of trauma, including re-experiencing.

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Originally Posted by sunrise

as there being two containers in the brain. Memories go into one container and then get processed

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Originally Posted by Suratji

(processed?- meaning that they no longer have a negative influence on our current behaviour??)

What I mean by processed is that the memories become unstuck and pass from one container to the next. Think of it as a different way that traumatic (or stuck) memories are stored compared to non-traumatic memories. Once processed, the events the memories are of are no longer traumatic. Yes, that could include saying that they no longer have the same hold on us to influence our behavior

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Originally Posted by Suratji

So, we can look at the memories and analyze them? Is that processing them?

No. EMDR does not work like that. One does not analyze the memories in EMDR. EMDR is more feelings-based, and has a somatic component too. The processing occurs with the help of EMDR's left-right alternate stimulation that frees up the memories and allows them to pass from one "container" to the other. (Or so the theory of how EMDR works goes.)

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Originally Posted by Suratji

But analyzing is using the rational part of the brain - which has little influence over the emotional part of the brain.

What you describe is not part of EMDR or some of these other faster therapies that can help with processing. To me, it doesn't seem like analysis and using the rational part of the brain would help with trauma, but YMMV. Suratji, are you doing trauma work in therapy?

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Originally Posted by Suratji

How do we not allow old emotional patterns to influence the present? Just by being aware of them?

For me, awareness is often not enough, but perhaps for some, it is? It is a start, at least! My T has said that sometimes we will keep repeating dysfunctional patterns in an unconscious, continuing search to break the pattern and do things differently--to change history and have things come out "right." The repetition is a manifestation of the self's will to heal. Keep doing it, keep doing it, keep doing it, until things turn out differently. Unfortunately, sometimes we can't learn to do things differently without professional help. I try not to berate myself for continuing to repeat old patterns, but smile on my self for its will to heal and break out of the pattern, because that's what the repetition is. All that repetition means we haven't given up yet! A way to break the chain is to do things differently. This can be a very powerful experience. You do things differently, new tracks are laid down in the brain, and things can change in an instant. (They may need reinforcing to stick.) Sometimes the T can help you do things differently right there in the therapy room. (One example is of the T providing a "corrective experience" in therapy.) Other times, you do things differently out in the world, either with your T's support or on your own.