[Pastel Kitten]

At my last appointment, my therapist suggested using EMDR to help me with my anxiety. She said I was going to hear beeps in my ears, feel pulsations in my hands, and see visuals or something. The last part seemed really anxiety inducing to me so I refused to do it...but what exactly did she mean by this? I have never heard of EMDR before, and I'm not fully understanding it from what I've read online either. I'd be willing to try it if it's not as scary as what I'm thinking..

[Miswimmy1]

From what I was able to briefly research:

EMDR stands for "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing". From what this article says, it appears that the idea behind it is that when one experiences thoughts related to a past traumatic event, the biological mechanisms involved in conjuring up that thought are similar to that when one is in the REM sleep stage (rapid eye movement). The REM sleep stage is associated with the preservation of memory, specifically emotional memory. The idea is that EMDR can help bring the individual into a state similar to that of REM sleep and thus accelerate the brain's natural process of storing new memories and processing old ones. Outside stimulation, such as the pulsations, helps to reduce the brain's focus solely on the traumatic memory by dividing one's attention between the memory and that stimulus. The therapist then guides the patient through techniques such as identifying positive attributes and self-calming activities. The idea is to form new associations with the negative memories.

What is EMDR? | EMDR Institute ? EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING THERAPY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_...t_sleep#Memory

[Pastel Kitten]

Thank you! It makes a bit more sense now. There was just so much info to take in at once that I didn't quite catch the main point haha. I guess what makes me nervous is the fact that I almost instantly enter the REM phase of sleep, upon falling asleep. I have incredibly vivid dreams that I almost always remember. My old psychiatrist told me I never seem to enter the deeper levels of sleep that precede REM sleep. This knowledge makes me fear I'll experience something scary during EMDR :/ I don't know though. I'll let her know about that and see what she says.

[Out There]

I've had EMDR and did well with it. With good preparation it's OK. It is difficult but not as scary as it sounds. I'm still here !

[jeremiahgirl]

Hi! I've used EMDR with great success! I was in regular therapy for years not achieving much accept deeper depressions. At the end of my rope, I went to a trauma expert who worked me through EMDR! It the beginning it was weird, but after my personal pitch sound (there are several ways to use EMDR) I used sounds, which were soft. I didn't do tapping or any form of touching (I was afraid of touch) so, which I was comfortable with that sound I was ready to begin.

The best way I can describe my situation was that I had little to no memory I used the example of "Swiss cheese" with the many holes. The holes were memories but not connected "disjointed" and EMDR brings those memories "together" so I could remember events & experiences.

When the process began it did bring up anxiety but, not always a panicked feeling, when that does happen in away it's good because your beginning to remember and recall a stressful event and EMDR will help you with your therapist to work through the event; that's the "key!" Working through an event healthy & safely.

My past issues were because of abuse as a child which I blocked out. EMDR helps unlock these such events and experiences so you can look at them as an adult and not as a frightened child. EMDR is generally used for trauma, extreme stress and anxiety. It's finally being accepted in the mental health field. Some therapist don't like EMDR because they would prefer giving clients medication.

After sooo many years on meds I was ready to say no more!! After at least 5-6 years on EMDR I no longer use meds. I might still occasionally get nervous but nothing like in the past.

I told my therapist "if you ever need a poster child for EMDR let me know I will gladly do one!"

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[Chuva]

Just make sure your therapist is certified and qualified to practice EMDR. And make sure she's very experienced in it.

I had EMDR before and it was disastrous, contrary to almost all the other experiences I've read online. Everybody says it's extremely helpful. I have a feeling it was disastrous for me because my therapist didn't have much experience practicing it. She was certified by the Italian board of EMDR therapists, but was no good.

I'm going to try it again with another therapist in the next few months and, although I'm scared, I'm also hopeful, since this therapist has already proved to be very good, and she also teaches EMDR workshops, so she must be experienced.

[jeremiahgirl]

You made a good point that they must be experienced; my therapist was trained from the developer of EMDR. He was "stern" on his technique because he didn't want to harm me or anyone else since most people who arrived at his office they were already hurting & damaged.

And yes, I know other people have been hurt by using EMDR.

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[Pastel Kitten]

Thanks for the responses and also the warnings. I hadn't thought of asking her if she had a lot of experience in EMDR (I'd only asked if she had experience in DBT) so I'll be sure to do that. I'm a bit scared because I already have pretty good recollection of events but ones involving weapons is where it gets slightly fuzzy. I'd like to think I remember all there was to it but I don't know. Do they stop right away if you start panicking/breaking down?

[jeremiahgirl]

When I'd panic, my therapist would simply say, breathe and stay with the feeling. If I couldn't handle the moment we might pause, or stop but he kept me on track where certain emotions were getting uneasy. If at total breaking point he often drew a circle in his notes where to pick up again.

My therapist kept this eyes on my eyes, he knew when things were changing. I also found within my brain I could tell when I was getting overwhelmed (I'd go numb) or feel a shifting of sorts. So keeping track of your body are indications of changes in the process of healing. Keep in mind, EMDR will continue throughout your day of use or weeks in therapy. It doesn't stop when the session ends; that's because it's a process in the brain.

When done correctly it's an amazing form of therapy!!

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[Pastel Kitten]

That sounds pretty fascinating. In what way might it continue after the session ends, though? Do you feel weird throughout the rest of the day or?

[Out There]

My EMDR T is a consultant with 10 years experience. I experience " EMDR brain " for a few days after a session as , Yes , the processing continues - but it doesn't run away , the brain seems to know what it can handle. The stories I've read about it being problematic it seems its been run when the person isn't very stable ( my T would never have done this ). We do lots of mindfulness , grounding and safe place , and what to do if processing gets " stuck ".

[jeremiahgirl]

Yep! All the above. I've been there too. ❤️

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[Pastel Kitten]

Thanks I think I have a much better picture now. Perhaps I'll look into trying it after all, but I want to see how DBT goes first since I just recently started.

[pattijane]

Originally Posted by Pastel Kitten

At my last appointment, my therapist suggested using EMDR to help me with my anxiety. She said I was going to hear beeps in my ears, feel pulsations in my hands, and see visuals or something. The last part seemed really anxiety inducing to me so I refused to do it...but what exactly did she mean by this? I have never heard of EMDR before, and I'm not fully understanding it from what I've read online either. I'd be willing to try it if it's not as scary as what I'm thinking..

You can choose which method or methods of Bilateral Stimulation that work(s) for you!! Originally, Dr, Francine Shapiro used a finger or two, which she waved from side to side so that the client would follow with their eyes. Many EMDR therapists use mechanical "hands" now - either a light bar, which also has sounds (the beeps you heard) and tactile pulsars, in addition to the moving lights for eye movements, or other versions. Even with the light bar, you can choose one, two, or all three of the methods. Try them all together, just to see/feel what's it like, then try two, then just one (try all of them alone). EMDR therapy is IN YOUR CONTROL!!!! And make sure your therapist spend lots of time in one of the initial EMDR therapy phases (Phase 2) which involves preparing for memory processing or desensitization (memory processing or desensitization - phases 3-6 - is often what is referred to as "EMDR" which is actually an 8-phase method of psychotherapy). In this phase resources are "front-loaded" so that you have a "floor" or "container" to help with processing the really hard stuff, as well as creating strategies if you're triggered in everyday life. In Phase 2 you learn a lot of great coping strategies and self-soothing techniques which you can use during EMDR processing or anytime you feel the need.

In phase 2 you learn how to access a “Safe or Calm Place” which you can use at ANY TIME during EMDR processing (or on your own) if it feels scary, or too emotional, too intense. One of the key assets of EMDR therapy is that YOU, the client, are in control NOW, even though you weren’t in the past, during traumatic events, or whatever disturbance(s) on which you’re working. You NEVER need re-live an experience or go into great detail, ever! You NEVER need to go through the entire memory. YOU can decide to keep the lights (or the alternating sounds and/or tactile pulsars, or the waving hand, or any method of bilateral stimulation that feels okay to you) going, or stop them, whichever helps titrate – measure and adjust the balance or “dose“ of the processing. During EMDR processing there are regular “breaks” and you can control when and how many but the therapist should be stopping the bilateral stimulation every 25-50 passes of the lights to ask you to take a deep breath and say just a bit of what you’re noticing, anything different, any changes. (The stimulation should not be kept on continuously, because there are specific procedures that need to be followed to process the memory). The breaks help keep a “foot in the present” while you’re processing the past. Again, and I can’t say this enough, YOU ARE IN CHARGE so YOU can make the process tolerable. And your therapist should be experienced in the EMDR therapy techniques that help make it the gentlest and safest way to detoxify bad life experiences and build resources.

[jeremiahgirl]

You are SPOT ON!! That's just what I went through... Although I didn't like the tactile experience so I used sounds.

The tactile "triggers me!"

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