EMDR session today

[Eyessoblue]

Hi everyone, I had another EMDR session today, again it went really well, I've managed to re process some of the bad feelings I was having and they are filed away somewhere else now. I felt quite shaky and anxious during the session but manage to let it go away. Feeling very tired now as she told me I would but have no bad after affects which is what I was worried about.

[sanmagic7]

yay for you, eyessoblue!  it's natural to be tired after emdr sessions cuz your brain has been working really hard.  take some time for yourself to rest and relax.  did your t suggest that you keep a journal?  sometimes those are helpful for dreams or other issues that might come up between sessions. 

great job and well done!   big hug!

[Dee]

EMDR is so good and so hard at the same time.  I found myself exhausted.  I did keep a journal so I can reflect on what I processed.  I think you are doing great!  It was so tough for me that I wonder if I could ever do it other than in an inpatient environment.  I felt like I went through battle every time!  It takes a lot of work to get better, not for the weak!

[Eyessoblue]

Thank you both! No I wasn't asked to keep a journal but I do actually journal quite often and have found myself doing so today as had a few memories come up which were actually quite positive ones so I've made a note of them, I was so worried about doing EMDR due to the negative press I've read but I can honestly say at the moment it's working really well and my anxiety feels a lot less then it was so would highly recommend to anyone reading this.

[Eyessoblue]

Me again!! Another session of EMDR and another Trauma processed! This is working so well for me, just believe in it and it will work for you too, it's really not as scary as it looks or sounds which was my worry after watching it on YouTube.

[Lingurine]

Hi Eyessoblue, good for you!
Do you mind to enlighten me about EMDR and how it works? I'm very curious.
Thanks.

Lingurine

[Eyessoblue]

Lingurine hi, EMDR is a process which moves the traumas you have experienced into a place in your brain where you can't access it easily, you will always have the memory but no feelings or thoughts connected with it once it has been processed. You start off with your EMDR trained licensed therapist very important they are licensed and work through a trauma line from your earliest memory of a trauma until present day. Before you start the process you get yourself mentally into a safe place, for me the beach om my own sun shining and gentle sound of the waves rippling against the shore, you spend some time there feeling it then you access the picture of your trauma, the therapist sits alongside you and starts by moving her fingers very slowly in front of your eyes, she then asks you to think about the trauma and see what picture comes up, once you can see that picture she moves her fingers really quickly in front of your eyes, during that time other pictures, memories and feelings come up, you describe it very quickly in just a couple of words and she tells you to process it and let it go, which you do, you give the trauma a score from 1- 10 ten being the worst and the idea is you get it back down to 1 by the end of re processing. Quite often pictures and memories come up that you had forgotten about, it can be quite intense but you can re process those intense feelings too, mine always being anxiety and I can feel the anxiety moving away once processed, sometimes this can all be done in one session or you may need a few for each one. Afterwards you feel very tired almost zombie like and I normally feel a bit disassociated from the real world. It's important afterwards that you go home and sleep for as long as you need to could be anything from 20 mins to hours, all this time your brain is still re processing everything, when I wake up I normally feel really clear headed and full of energy and if I tried to access the trauma it seems a long way away, it's as if you've put it in a filing cupboard and closed the door is the only way I can describe it really. I hope that helps, if you want to know anything else please ask me I'm more then happy to help.

[Lingurine]

Thank you Eyessoblue, for explaining. I heard from this therapy, but never knew someone who took it. It sounds very interesting. Do you have the feeling that you feel less anxiety and are you also less vulnerable for new trauma's? Do you feel stronger about yourself? A lot of questions, I know.

Thanks again.

Lingurine

[Eyessoblue]

Hi yes I do, I feel much 'lighter' inside, a lot more positive and loads of energy. My sleep has improved with no nightmares and apart from experiencing some anxiety whilst doing the EMDR I have not had any or panic attacks, you can process the anxiety feelings too which I do during every session and you can feel it leaving inside of you it's very weird but very effective. I'm a little bit worried about doing the next trauma which is next week which is a major one so not sure quite how that's going to go, but generally I do feel a lot stronger in myself now.

[Lingurine]

I wish you a lot of strength for next week and yay for these positive results 

Lingurine

[Dee]

I did EMDR a few times, but never on a specific trauma.  I did one about guilt.  I did one about talking to my kids.  I even used it to process current family relations.  EMDR I have been told can help with being able to say those words.  I think the possibilities are unlimited.

The one about guilt was the best one for me.  My picture in my head changed during the session and when I hear the word guilt I think of my new picture. 

[Eyessoblue]

Thank you all, glad it worked well for you Dee, positive stuff isn't it.