[tree7car]

I've been diagnosed with MDD, GAD, panic, BPD, and EDNOS. I have no specific trauma or set of traumas that have caused these issues in my life. I was just blessed with great genes. I've been in treatment or seeing a therapist for around 8 years. Most of that time, I was seeing a therapist at an eating disorder clinic. I worked really well with her. She was very into behavioral therapy (CBT & DBT). Those seemed to work well for me and I made a lot of progress. However, I started with a new therapist a few months ago who specializes in EMDR. I don't have any experience with EMDR and am kinda afraid of trying it.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried EMDR. More specifically has anyone tried EMDR who didn't experience trauma? My therapist is strongly encouraging me to try it, but I don't think it help at all.

[ThisWayOut]

I've not looked into the efficacy of EMDR for non-trauma issues, though I know it does work for phobias. It can be a scary process, but effective for that kind of stuff anyway.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge will have better insight.

[dancinglady]

I had it several years back. If u therapist thinks it will work I would try it.

[boredporcupine]

I know of T's who use EMDR for many things outside of trauma. The model for EMDR isn't based on trauma specifically but emotional processing generally. Unless you just really don't like the idea of it, I don't see any reason you shouldn't try it.

As far as ive heard, EMDR is an intensive trauma therapy. I don't know about it being used for anything else.

[pattijane]

Originally Posted by tree7car

I've been diagnosed with MDD, GAD, panic, BPD, and EDNOS. I have no specific trauma or set of traumas that have caused these issues in my life. I was just blessed with great genes. I've been in treatment or seeing a therapist for around 8 years. Most of that time, I was seeing a therapist at an eating disorder clinic. I worked really well with her. She was very into behavioral therapy (CBT & DBT). Those seemed to work well for me and I made a lot of progress. However, I started with a new therapist a few months ago who specializes in EMDR. I don't have any experience with EMDR and am kinda afraid of trying it.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried EMDR. More specifically has anyone tried EMDR who didn't experience trauma? My therapist is strongly encouraging me to try it, but I don't think it help at all.

I use EMDR therapy as my primary psychotherapy treatment and I've also personally had EMDR therapy for anxiety, panic, grief, and “small t” trauma. As a client, EMDR 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 Association and trained by the EMDR Institute, both of which I strongly recommend in an EMDR therapist) I have used EMDR therapy successfully with panic disorders, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, body image, phobias, distressing memories, bad dreams, and many other problems. It's a very gentle method with no significant "down-side" so that in the hands of a professional EMDR therapist, there should be no freak-outs or worsening of day-to-day functioning.

The research on EMDR therapy, in addition to trauma and PTSD, includes its efficacy with generalized anxiety disorder, treatment of distressful experiences that fail to meet the criteria for PTSD, dental phobia, depression, body dysmorphic disorder, chronic phantom limb pain, panic disorder with agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and peer verbal abuse.

One of the initial phases (Phase 2) in EMDR therapy 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 and/or panic/anxiety, 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.

Grounding exercises are essential. You 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 but all the proceeds from the book go to two charities: the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program and the EMDR Research Foundation). The book is 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 gives lots of really helpful ways that are used during EMDR therapy to calm disturbing thoughts and feelings.

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.

Many organizations, professional associations, departments of health of many countries, the US Dept. of Defense, and the VA, all have given their "stamp of approval" to EMDR therapy. There are 35 randomized controlled (and 20 nonrandomized) studies that have been conducted on EMDR therapy in the treatment of trauma, and many more on other psychological and physical conditions.

The World Health Organization has published Guidelines for the management of conditions that are specifically related to stress: Trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are the only psychotherapies recommended for children, adolescents and adults with PTSD. “Like CBT with a trauma focus, EMDR aims to reduce subjective distress and strengthen adaptive cognitions related to the traumatic event. Unlike CBT with a trauma focus, EMDR does not involve (a) detailed descriptions of the event, (b) direct challenging of beliefs, (c) extended exposure, or (d) homework." (Geneva, WHO, 2013, p.1)

[Chummy]

I have had one EMDR session, I can't really say much about it yet. I don't had trauma's in my life. I did had some memories that still bother me and that played a part in how I am. So we started with those. But as I said, I only had one session so far. We just started.

[tree7car]

Wow. Thanks for the insight everyone. PattiJane, your detailed post was really helpful. Thanks.

I guess I'm just worried that it's too much for me. Like I don't need something like that because I'm not "that" bad. Like it should be saved for people who really need it. I'm also worried because I couldn't find research that proved that it worked for things other than trauma.

Based on what you all said, I think it might be worth giving it a chance. The thought of it brings be a lot of anxiety, but new things typically do. Again, thanks for all the input.