It was suggested to me I talk to my psychiatrist about EMDR. I know nothing about it. Anyone care to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences?

[Out There]

I do very well with EMDR - I'm on my second round of it , it's hard work but very worth it. Maybe look on the EMDRIA website for more information and there's good stuff on YouTube.

[*Laurie*]

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy technique that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. It's often used to treat PTSD.

Decades ago I received EMDR from my therapist, who was one of the first people to train with the founder of EMDR (Francine Shapiro). I found it helpful, and still use it today.

[Stava]

I've heard it helps many people, but I did it several months ago and had a bad reaction. I did two sessions and it ended up making me feel almost disconnected from my body, or like I can't connect as a human being. This has been going on for months, it's almost like something was broken in my brain. I'm doing everything I can to get better but I'm still struggling. If I had it to do over again I would have gone for a gentler, less invasive therapy.

At the time I thought it couldn't possibly get any worse so why not do EMDR? I was excited to make progress. Well it's worse, and in a different way than it was before. I'm terrified of the world now and can barely function. I often sob after even going to the grocery store. I used to enjoy going for walks and shopping and now I'm so scared when I'm near any strangers.

I read about others having similar experiences after I had mine, but the forums I read were years old. It may depend on the skill of the practitioner, just be aware that it's a very very powerful technique and may alter a person's brain. Maybe for the better and maybe not.

I also had a complete nervous breakdown about 2 weeks after my last EMDR session. Maybe it was the EMDR or maybe not, there were other traumas happening at the same time so I'm not sure.

Much love and best to you in your healing journey <3

[kkrrhh]

Originally Posted by Stava

I've heard it helps many people, but I did it several months ago and had a bad reaction. I did two sessions and it ended up making me feel almost disconnected from my body, or like I can't connect as a human being. This has been going on for months, it's almost like something was broken in my brain. I'm doing everything I can to get better but I'm still struggling. If I had it to do over again I would have gone for a gentler, less invasive therapy.

At the time I thought it couldn't possibly get any worse so why not do EMDR? I was excited to make progress. Well it's worse, and in a different way than it was before. I'm terrified of the world now and can barely function. I often sob after even going to the grocery store. I used to enjoy going for walks and shopping and now I'm so scared when I'm near any strangers.

I read about others having similar experiences after I had mine, but the forums I read were years old. It may depend on the skill of the practitioner, just be aware that it's a very very powerful technique and may alter a person's brain. Maybe for the better and maybe not.

I also had a complete nervous breakdown about 2 weeks after my last EMDR session. Maybe it was the EMDR or maybe not, there were other traumas happening at the same time so I'm not sure.

Much love and best to you in your healing journey <3

I'm sorry to hear you've had such a bad experience! It sounds like what you've got going on right now could be depersonalization/derealization, basically some type of dissociation... not sure if you know that, but I know just having a name for it can be helpful. I hope things improve soon!



As for the topic, I tried it for a really short time a few years ago. It wasn't as bad as I'd expected and did seem like it could be helpful, I just had to quit after a few sessions because my therapist was moving.

[possum220]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

It was suggested to me I talk to my psychiatrist about EMDR. I know nothing about it. Anyone care to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences?

Whoever suggested you talk to your P'doc first about this was wise. I was advised not to do it due to the fact that some may find it goes well and for others it can fracture people who are not in the right space for it. Hopefully your P'doc knows you well enough to give you the right advice for you.

[lily245]

I tried it for a little more then 6 months. Sometimes it felt like it was helping, but not as much as I thought it would. I never felt really safe or comfortable with my therapist at the time though so I think that had a lot to do with it. I think if you find the right therapist it could be a really good method.