[Slamjammer]

I just ran across this earlier today, and it looks very interesting. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming....basically uses rapid eye movement to reprogram the brain, in treatment of various types of trauma. Very quick, with success rates above 70%. Anybody here familiar with it ? Used it? What results?

You can copy and paste this link for some info, if you are not familiar with it.

EMDR International Association: What is EMDR?

Very familiar with it. My wonderful therapist, who was a psychologist I saw through the Veteran's Admin, was one of the first therapists to use EMDR. He trained with Francine Shapiro. The technique is extremely successful with PTSD and traumatic memories that are "stuck" and need to be processed. My therapist used EMDR as part of my treatment back in the early '90's. I still use it to this day, on my own. I highly recommend it.

It's Reprocessing, not reprogramming.

Yes, I've been in EMDR from August-January, and we've done some modified EMDR over the past few months, selecting specific distressing objects from nightmares and EMDR'ring them. Next week, I'll be inpatient and I will have four hours of EMDR a day in hopes of breaking through/tackling some of the more difficult issues while minimizing "backlash".

[Slamjammer]

Excellent! Glad to hear it is producing some positive results! I just saw a video about this yesterday, and it piqued my curiosity. It seems that EMDR is much akin to a direct "hack" of the mind, unlike drugs or psychotherapy, and seemingly with little or no side effects. This procedure is being adapted to address some other issues as well, and it will be interesting to see where it leads.

Good luck with your treatments !

[pegasus]

Hello Slamjammer,

Yes I have had EMDR in the past, it is used for dealing with trauma and can be a fast way of dealing with multiple traumas at the same time. I found due to my dissociation that I had to stop because I dissociate easily anyway and it became too traumatic for me. So, bear in mind that if you dissociate, it may not be for you.

Here is Psych Central FAQ on EMDR Frequently Asked Questions about EMDR | Psych Central

[avlady]

That is good to know. i never heard of such thing but am happy to hear it worked for those who tried it.

[Rainbowfairy]

Dear Slamjammer,

I am interested in this to fill in large gaps where I have no memories. What I do know is some of the trauma I was experiencing on either side of the gap. I have asked my therapist about EMDR and he isn't sure how suitable it would be, but is going to ask someone who knows better.

In the literature, it appears to have some success. The main controversy seems to be around whether the eye movements are actually doing anything. So, at worst, it may be a case of false advertising, but at best, it appears to be having results regardless. As always, we need to make sure we are trying new things with someone we know we can trust and who has the ability to care for us if it doesn't work out - so a high quality therapeutic relationship is paramount.

[Slamjammer]

Originally Posted by Rainbowfairy

Dear Slamjammer,

I am interested in this to fill in large gaps where I have no memories. What I do know is some of the trauma I was experiencing on either side of the gap. I have asked my therapist about EMDR and he isn't sure how suitable it would be, but is going to ask someone who knows better.

In the literature, it appears to have some success. The main controversy seems to be around whether the eye movements are actually doing anything. So, at worst, it may be a case of false advertising, but at best, it appears to be having results regardless. As always, we need to make sure we are trying new things with someone we know we can trust and who has the ability to care for us if it doesn't work out - so a high quality therapeutic relationship is paramount.

You may want to search YouTube for "EMDR" and watch several of the videos. From what I have learned, to takes about 40 credit hours of additional study for a therapist to be certified/qualified to offer EDMR therapy. You will definately want to confirm that your therapist has been properly trained.

In some of the videos, the patients used either eye movement or finger tapping. It was explained that we store and process memories using muscle movement as well as our 5 senses. When we dream, our eyes dart rapidly back and forth...hence the name REM sleep. So, in a way, rapidly moving your eyes while focusing on an issue is like jump starting a car to get it running.

Good luck with your treatment !

[Werewoman]

I first did EMDR about 10 years ago, and recently decided to go back to it. I find it most effective to use CBT, EMDR, and meds.

'Eye movement' is not the only effective method. I use earphones and recently added these little hand vibration devices at the same time. I have to synchronize the sound and vibration before we start the session. I also like to keep my eyes closed. I've always been able to control the tempo, which I find very helpful. For lack of a better way to explain it, when you hit the right 'spot' you'll know it immediately. Both therapists that I've done this with have commented that my tempo preference is much faster than their other patients.

What's funny is that after a few minutes, my eyes move back and forth in tempo with the sound/vibration even though they are closed. It's weird, but a good kind of weird. I don't really notice it once I've settled in and started focusing.

Not every treatment helps every person, but living here in Oklahoma, you find a lot of people who were helped immensely by it right after the Federal Building exploded.

Hope this helps!

WW

[Rhapsody]

It works great when used properly and the results can be life saving at times.....

Yes, I am currently doing EMDR. It helps so much! I recommend looking more into it. PM me if you want more information about my own personal experience. Also check out my signature. I created an EMDR forum since I'm a firm believer. Trying to build the community!

[pattijane]

I'm a psychologist who uses EMDR therapy as my primary treatment psychotherapy and I've also personally had EMDR therapy for anxiety, panic, grief, and “small t” trauma. As a client, EMDR therapy worked extremely well and also really fast. As an EMDR therapist, and in my role as a facilitator who trains other therapists in EMDR therapy (certified by the EMDR International Assoc. and trained by the EMDR Institute) I have used EMDR successfully with panic disorders, childhood sexual/physical/emotional abuse and neglect, single incident trauma and complex/chronic PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, body image, eating disorders, phobias, distressing memories, bad dreams and more.

One of the initial phases (Phase 2) in EMDR psychotherapy 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. So if you start feeling overwhelmed or that it's too intense, you can ground yourself (with your therapist's help in session, and on your own between sessions) and feel safe enough to continue the work.

In my practice, after the Phase 2 work lets us know that my patient is safe enough and able to cope with any emotion and/or physical sensation both during and between EMDR processing sessions, I often suggest we try a much less intense memory first if there is one that happened BEFORE the trauma(s). If there isn't one, then I suggest we start developmentally with the least disturbing memory and work our way "up" to the most disturbing event(s).

Grounding exercises are indispensable in everyday life, and really essential in stressful times. Anyone can use some of the techniques in Dr. Shapiro's new book "Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR." Dr. Shapiro is the founder/creator of EMDR therapy but all the proceeds from the book go to two charities: the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program and the EMDR Research Foundation). Anyway, the book is terrific. It's an easy read, helps you understand what's "pushing" your feelings and behavior, helps you connect the dots from past experiences to current life. Also teaches readers lots of helpful techniques that can be used immediately and that are also used during EMDR therapy to calm disturbing thoughts and feelings.

One of the key assets of EMDR is that YOU, the client, are in control NOW, even though you likely were not during past events. 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 hand/knee tapping - all forms of bilateral stimulation that should be decided by the client for the client's comfort) 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 or so passes of the lights to ask you to take a deep breath and to say just a bit of what you’re noticing. 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.

Pacing and dosing are critically important. So if you ever feel that EMDR processing is too intense then it might be time to go back over all the resources that should be used both IN session and BETWEEN sessions. Your therapist can use a variety of techniques to make painful processing less painful, like suggesting you turn the scene in your mind to black and white, lower the volume, or, erect a bullet-proof glass wall between you and the painful scene, and so forth. There are a lot of these kinds of "interventions" that ease the processing. They are called "cognitive interweaves" that your therapist can use, and that also can help bring your adult self's perspective into the work (or even an imaginary Adult Perspective). Such interweaves are based around issues of Safety, Responsibility, and Choice. So therapist questions like "are you safe now?" or "who was responsible? and "do you have more choices now?" are all very helpful in moving the processing along.

In addition to my therapy practice, I roam the web looking for EMDR therapy discussions, try to answer questions about it posted by clients/patients, and respond to the critics out there. It's not a cure-all therapy. However, it really is an extraordinary psychotherapy and its results last. In the hands of a really experienced EMDR therapist, it's the most gentle way of working through disturbing experiences.