[HD7970GHZ]

Hello everyone,


I am about to start EMDR - and I would like to know what fellow sufferers think of it? Any recommendations and or suggestions before I start?

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

[MoxieDoxie]

You know.....I have done it now for 7 years and I have no advice. Sometimes I feel real silly doing it and want to laugh but most the time I just want attention from my T. No has EMDR worked. Who knows what actually has helped me. I just think it is the relationship with my T that has helped and not any of the EMDR.

Keep us posted how it goes and what you think of it.

[nottrustin]

Early on with current T we tried EMDR. It is hard work and was very emotional for me. As with any good theraputic relationship, communication was essential.. We backed off from it until I was more prepared.

[Bugtussel]

I am following this as I have just started EMDR last Friday. So far, not convinced this is going to work. However I don't have flashbacks or nightmares so not a whole lot to change. I'm not even sure I agree with the dx of PTSD, but my pdoc and T agree.

[ElectricManatee]

I like EMDR because for me it has been a) helpful and b) efficient. I don't have flashbacks or nightmares, and I don't think I would qualify for a PTSD diagnosis. I generally work on specific memories or incidents that I find upsetting when I remember them, like things that make me tear up when I talk about them. EMDR can be stressful because the whole point is to bring up the memory as clearly and intensely as possible and then kind of sit with it and notice whatever feelings or sensations come up. I like the buzzy hand things for bilateral stimulation so I can close my eyes. I have found that every time I really get into the memory and stay there, my distress eventually starts to come down. When I clear a memory completely, I find that I don't get the same emotional response (tearing up or feeling shame or whatever) to thinking or talking about the incident afterward. I can still remember it, obviously, but it's just kinda flat, like a normal memory. The most productive EMDR sessions can be completely exhausting, so I would try to not have any plans after your appointment. But for me, it has been pretty helpful.

[sarahsweets]

Hey @HD7970GH
Just wanted to share this basic overview. There is some inconclusive evidence supporting and not supporting this treatment. I am not saying its bad or wont work because I firmly believe in antecdotal evidence but I wanted to share the basics;
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing - Wikipedia

Originally Posted by HD7970GHZ

Hello everyone,


I am about to start EMDR - and I would like to know what fellow sufferers think of it? Any recommendations and or suggestions before I start?

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by ElectricManatee

I like EMDR because for me it has been a) helpful and b) efficient. I don't have flashbacks or nightmares, and I don't think I would qualify for a PTSD diagnosis. I generally work on specific memories or incidents that I find upsetting when I remember them, like things that make me tear up when I talk about them. EMDR can be stressful because the whole point is to bring up the memory as clearly and intensely as possible and then kind of sit with it and notice whatever feelings or sensations come up. I like the buzzy hand things for bilateral stimulation so I can close my eyes. I have found that every time I really get into the memory and stay there, my distress eventually starts to come down. When I clear a memory completely, I find that I don't get the same emotional response (tearing up or feeling shame or whatever) to thinking or talking about the incident afterward. I can still remember it, obviously, but it's just kinda flat, like a normal memory. The most productive EMDR sessions can be completely exhausting, so I would try to not have any plans after your appointment. But for me, it has been pretty helpful.

I agree al of this. Also, I went into EMDR I initially thinking it was a quick fix. Most information on line and even the first T I consulted with made it sound like after a few (or one sessions according to the T), I would be done. Current T said it can be very quick for single event trauma but can be a very slow process for repeated or long term trauma. When T and I used EMDR we used the hand held devices. We bad ti take tiny slivers of information at a time or it would become to emotional and I would disassociate.

At least for me open communication and patience was essential for both T and I.

[Fuzzybear]

I have been wondering about EMDR. Thanks for this thread, I'm following it.

[HD7970GHZ]

Thanks so much to everyone who piped in and shared their thoughts and insights. I have taken a step away from therapy for the time, but someday I may return.

Thanks,
HD