[idontknowwhattodo]

Can anyone tell me your experiences with this? I know it probably brings up bad memories, so can it cause anxiety and anger? Would it be best to do this after I have learned to better control my anxiety?

[splitimage]

I've had EMDR off and on for years, and find it very helpful. But it can be very intense, and so needs to be done carefully with a trained therapist. Ideally you should agree with the therapist on what memory you want to work on processing, and then towards the end of the session the therpaists helps ground you, so you kind of park the memory in a safe space until the next session. EMDR never increased my anxiety.

splitimage

[WePow]

I am doing EMDR with my T right now. I have C-PTSDl with DID and was very bad off due to the amount of past issues. EMDR has transformed my life. My T was only recently certified in it, so we have only been doing it this year. I have made more progress in 5 months than I did the past 2 yrs of talk therapy with the same T. In my experience, it has been worth it. My T instilled a safe place and helped guide me to make sure I stayed safe. I record what my triggers are outside session in a TICES log. My T also does EMDR for his own past trauma issues and says it works for him as well.

[PurpleFlyingMonkeys]

I think my t wants to begin this in my next session with him on Thursday. He didn't say that's what he wanted to do but how he was describing it, it sounds like this and honestly I'm worried about recalling some memories but...

My t also, when just anxiety from the past couple of weeks was getting to me, he helped ground me before leaving the session, spent 30 extra minutes with me past my alloted time to make sure I was ok to leave. This gives me some good hope for the upcoming session, if your t can help you come back down from the memories, I've heard wonderful things about its effectiveness in recovery.

[Alex3]

Originally Posted by idontknowwhattodo

Can anyone tell me your experiences with this? I know it probably brings up bad memories, so can it cause anxiety and anger? Would it be best to do this after I have learned to better control my anxiety?

You can get a good feel for the therapy in the book Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy.

There is a review of the book on this website by Bobbi Emel. The book includes many self-help techniques for anxiety and stress management and ways to change negative thoughts and emotions. Your therapist will also teach you ways to manage your emotions during memory processing and between sessions. The book is a good companion to the therapy and after.