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Originally Posted by feileacan
My understanding is that EMDR is something that can be applied if you have something specific to hold on to - a memory, an intense emotion, something. I don't have much belief it works with severe avoidance because there is nothing to work with. That not only applies to EMDR but also to any kind of modality. The T must be very patient, alert and attuned to find something that accidentally slips through. I wouldn't blame the avoidant person though. The avoidance is there for a reason and the core of the work is establishing enough trust to lift this avoidance even a tiny bit.
I've once asked if EMDR could be something that could be useful for me. The answer is no - I don't have any specific traumatic memories. My whole childhood was emotionally neglectful but I did not perceive it so as this was my normal. So it would be impossible to find anything for the EMDR to focus on.
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I relate to this alot. First. You are right about avoiding behavior. That's where t really helped. He found a way to connect to me that no one really does. Therapy is tougher now because I don't want that relationship aspect so I'm extra avoiding
That being said, yes for me I thought it was normal too. T helped me see the reality of it all but I don't have much specific memories. The reason t3 suggested it was we talked about my fear of fire. I allegedly fell in a fire as a kid and I've always been nervous around fires since but I don't recall this event at all. I have no scars. He was saying the limbic system in my mind remembers the feeling though so that's why I am that way still with fire and he suggested emdr. However I also don't say this is a bad or intense phobia. It's quite easy to avoid in life etc so I'm unsure how helpful it would be
I have the more intense phobias I was working on with t but he helped somewhat with lessening the intensity of them but now I'm extra avoiding them anyway because it reminds me of him. So idk.