EMDR

Has anyone had an experience with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing? My T mentioned that she may want to try this with me. I've read a little on the internet about it but it seems like it's not really a proven treatment (from what I've read...)

Any comments?

YES...................... I have used it in therapy and I still use it at home.... and IMHO - I think it ROCKS!!!

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Rhapsody, forgive my ignorance....I'm fairly new to the forum and I'm almost embarrassed to ask but what does IMHO stand for? I'm sure it is something so obvious and I've seen it used many times here but????

IMHO = in my humble opinion
IMO = in my opinion
IMNSHO = in my not so humble opinion
IMHPO = in my humble professional opinion

etc. you can use lower case letters too, imo.

Yup, pretty simple. Thanks for the lesson! Much easier, imo!

I think you should try it, especially since it's your T's idea. It works wonders for some. I wasn't able to take advantage of it, I guess because of my years of self hypnosis and easy trancing.

When it comes to therapies, it is fairly "new." But there's nothing to fear with it, as long as your T is trained and walks you through it.

It's a legitimate therapy, and like Sky says has worked wonders on some people. The results were documented with brain scans before and after. It is especially designed to process unprocessed trauma.

Give it a try, and let us know what you think. Hopefully, you will have positive results to report.

Thanks for the posts. I guess I've got nothing to lose in trying it out. My T is trained in it so I'm confident in her.

I had very little luck with EMDR, though I believe my therapist wasn't very well trained in it. I can tell you it wasn't for lack of trying on my part -- I really wanted it to work!

I wish you luck with it, though. The people I know that it has worked for have raved about it, and it's definitely a legitimate therapy. I would probably try it again with a more experienced therapist.

Candy

OnEdge,

I think EMDR has been around for about 10 years.

I have had EMDR and found it to be very helpful.
It is very good for traumatic material.

If you have a traumatic memory that keeps coming up, EMDR will help to get that memory to be stored in the right part of the brain, so that it does not trouble you so much and cause you so much distress.

Good luck.

What if you just have generalized anxiety? No one particular incident stands out as traumatic - do you think it would still work?

Anxiety in it's basic form is FEAR.

The FEAR is usually triggered by something. So having EMDR on the "triggers" will help to stop the fear-reaction.

Sounds scary, I know, but it is a fairly quick way to get through what sets off your anxiety.

Your therapist will explain more about the process to you.

Good Luck in using EMDR. I have to say it saved my life.
I was hopsitalized every 2 years or so because of my past severe trauma issues and since EMDR i've had no hospitalizations -- its been almost 9 years since my last inpatient visit.
Good luck!!

OnEdge, thanks for asking . . . . . I was too shy and couldn't figure it out

Sky, thanks for explaining

Anne

OnEdge, I too have had EMDR in therapy . . . . . it also is saving my life . . . . still working at it . . . it can be intense, but better than LIVING with what ailes me now.
Anne

Hi everyone: I just returned from my first EMDR session. Wow, it was intense. Not sure what to say about it but my head felt strangely clear on the issue that was troubling me after we finished and as I was driving home. I hope that will last. Just wanted to share my experience.

OK! From what others say, this not only continues, but builds to more understanding. Thanks for the update

Try a little at home EMDR:
Get comfortable (lying down or sitting up) and then take you fist and gentle clinch them together.... starting with the LEFT fist squeeze it then release - then repeat with the RIGHT fist, squeeze and release... alternate back and forth, from LEFT to RIGHT, slowly until sleep or relaxation comes.... usually in 10 - 15 minutes.



LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Thanks, Rhapsody: I'm going to try it tonight. I've been having such a hard time with sleep since I started my meds. I'm willing to try anything to get a decent nights rest. I feel like a worn out dish rag....

are .......

it is also great for getting back to sleep when you wake up in the middle of the night.



LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Rhapsody: I tried it lastnight and it really helped. I couldn't believe how such a simple thing would work but it did. And, I tried it when I would wake in the night as well and it worked. Thanks again!

Hey everyone,

I am starting EMDR on Wednesday with my psychologist. I hope it works. Will post again after I have been!

Kel

Good Luck!

Anxious to hear how it works out for you! Best of luck.

Thanks guys,
My first session is tomorrow, I am a bit nervous about it! I am confused... I started having anxiety after a traumatic event, but the actual event or having a panic attack does not worry me at all... I am actually having anxiety about anxiety if that makes sense! I have felt so weird since it first happened and that's what scares me the most. So... will EMDR still help me? I am really confused and I am worried my therapist thinks that I am scared of having a panic attack which I'm not....

Spose I will find out tomorrow anyway! But just wanted to know whether EMDR can help the fear of the fear!!

Thanks

Kel