EMDR

[Kiril]

I'm currently on the waiting list to do this. I need to do this since I've done all the talking therapy, doesn't work I just end up feeling drained and miserable. I want more info, maybe personal experiences or opinions of it.

Trauma behind it, I was seriously physically assaulted about 18 months ago from behind and have been experiencing some symptoms of PTSD, I am getting better but... It's a bit too slow for my liking and my doc's.

[high.hopes]

I've made a post about this in the past and debt get many replies. It's something that I'll be doing in the near future too, so will keep an eye here!

Hope you get the information you're looking for!

[startingagain]

My clinical psyhologist is trained. I had it a while ago and struggled with it. I didn't like how I said things and he would say things like 'now go with that feeling'. I felt ignored and rather than focussing on the lights with the memory I sat there thinking about how angry I felt. He stopped it. He is now doing it as 'blind to therapist' and so I don't actually have to say any details about what happened. I have been seeing him for 5 years and some sessions will be just talking about how it makes me feel rather than actually doing the EMDR. I know he rates it highly and that is the only reason I'm trying it again.

[Kiril]

Okay, Starting. I probably won't have the problem you had with it. I'm pretty used to being ignored, rolls off my back. So it's just focusing on lights while you talk about it?

[startingagain]

They should start with helping you creating a safe place in your mind. Then you have to think of a distressing image that you want to work on. You then give a number to how distressing that memory is. Then you think of a negative feeling it creates e.g guilt/shame. You give that a number of how bad it makes you feel. You then turn it into a positive statement that you want to feel about yourself. Then you think about the memory whilst watching the lights. When they stop he asks what you notice and where you feel it. You then go with that. He explains it as being on train and just noticing what is happening. He also says that the reason it works is it processes the memories. When you see a preview of a movie you only see the most vivid bits but once you process the memory it is like seeing the whole film and it is easier to manage. It is quite calming.

[Kiril]

Okay, that's pretty cool sounding and very helpful.

Sound svery complicated almost like magic but yeah it sounds great.