EMDR

[Mondo]

Had anyone found EMDR successful for CPTSD?

 

[lookingtoendit]

i had it to try and remove memories. still struggling.

 

[HadEnough1974]

i had it to try and remove memories. still struggling.

EMDR is not designed to "remove" memories but rather allow the brain to "re-process" those memories as non negative, non traumatic events.

 

[Mondo]

i had it to try and remove memories. still struggling.

How many sessions did you have? Do you think the therapist was good enough?

 

[ClairyFairy]

I've been having it for 18 months. I found it really helped until I changed my therapist and now we haven't clicked properly so it's not so good. I can't say anything though I'll just stick it out till the end

 

[lookingtoendit]

How many sessions did you have? Do you think the therapist was good enough?

I had 5 sessions. which i know is not that many, but I wasnt seeing much progress. she cost 200£ per hour so I would hope so lol

 

[kappa]

I had my consultation right before COVID... still waiting for them to be taking people in person.

You can see a regular doctor in person but still can't do therapy in person...

 

[Myforevercharlie]

I had EMDR 3 years ago, 18 sessions. It helped a bit. Some memories aren't that painful anymore. But it never goes away.

 

[Mondo]

I've been having it for 18 months. I found it really helped until I changed my therapist and now we haven't clicked properly so it's not so good. I can't say anything though I'll just stick it out till the end

Best of luck with that

I had my consultation right before COVID... still waiting for them to be taking people in person.

You can see a regular doctor in person but still can't do therapy in person...

My therapist has just begun seeing people face to face again

I had 5 sessions. which i know is not that many, but I wasnt seeing much progress. she cost 200£ per hour so I would hope so lol

May be you could try again. Some of us are lucky enough to have health care costs covered

 

[kappa]

Best of luck with that

My therapist has just begun seeing people face to face again

May be you could try again. Some of us are lucky enough to have health care costs covered

If you have the sessions will you let us know how it goes?

They finally let the therapists back in the office recently, but they still are only doing Zoom appointments.

 

[Mondo]

Start next week, dreading it tbh

 

[kappa]

Do they even make you talk about the past trauma? I heard they just tell you think about it but IDK.

 

[Mondo]

Do they even make you talk about the past trauma? I heard they just tell you think about it but IDK.

I had to discuss what topics were going to be starting off with, in my case flash back. Nearly 2 years to get to this point. Bracing for hard work.

 

[Mondo]

Do they even make you talk about the past trauma? I heard they just tell you think about it but IDK.

Had 1st session today, was very very upsetting to start with, I've to expect more things to come up as we go along, so few weeks until next appointment. Not reluctant to go to next one.

Do they even make you talk about the past trauma? I heard they just tell you think about it but IDK.

You have to say where your at with the situation your working on a your guided to process that particular part

 

[kappa]

Had 1st session today, was very very upsetting to start with, I've to expect more things to come up as we go along, so few weeks until next appointment. Not reluctant to go to next one.

You have to say where your at with the situation your working on a your guided to process that particular part

That's interesting... I assumed you had to talk through it. They don't ask you questions at all?

Maybe I need more talk therapy before the EDMR.. not sure.

 

[Mondo]

That's interesting... I assumed you had to talk through it. They don't ask you questions at all?

Maybe I need more talk therapy before the EDMR.. not sure.

Sorry I should have said, I've had talking therapy for about a year to get to this stage.

 

[walmart.kafka]

i tried it a few years ago, but i just couldn't pay for it, so i stopped - was still a student lol.
as for effectiveness: it's very hard to find ONE memory to think of during EMDR, because i think what traumatized me was the stuff that was going on for years, not one single event. does anyone have similar problems...? i've been diagnosed with PTSD, but i just really can't identify with it. i'd say most likely CPTSD, but that's self-diagnosed at this point lol.
but i think if you have specific memories that you have to cope with, i'd definitely say go for it!! finding the right therapist is still the key tho.

 

[Mondo]

i tried it a few years ago, but i just couldn't pay for it, so i stopped - was still a student lol.
as for effectiveness: it's very hard to find ONE memory to think of during EMDR, because i think what traumatized me was the stuff that was going on for years, not one single event. does anyone have similar problems...? i've been diagnosed with PTSD, but i just really can't identify with it. i'd say most likely CPTSD, but that's self-diagnosed at this point lol.
but i think if you have specific memories that you have to cope with, i'd definitely say go for it!! finding the right therapist is still the key tho.

I agree, therapist said we might not get through all the traumas, so dealing with finding my so after ctb is first one being worked on. As it's most prominent and gives me flash backs and nightmares. Making me feel the same way.

 

[xkonstantinexx]

i tried it a few years ago, but i just couldn't pay for it, so i stopped - was still a student lol.
as for effectiveness: it's very hard to find ONE memory to think of during EMDR, because i think what traumatized me was the stuff that was going on for years, not one single event. does anyone have similar problems...? i've been diagnosed with PTSD, but i just really can't identify with it. i'd say most likely CPTSD, but that's self-diagnosed at this point lol.
but i think if you have specific memories that you have to cope with, i'd definitely say go for it!! finding the right therapist is still the key tho.

I wasn't diagnosed with PTSD but severe depression, ADHD, BPD and a mild form of bipolar disorder.

After 3 talking sessions, I was told to begin EMDR. I've been told that it's the emotional abuse that I went through during childhood but just like you, I can't pinpoint a single event that stands out among the rest. This therapist is apparently one of the best in my part of the world but I was under the impression that you'd have to go through a long period of talking therapy before going for EMDR so I'm reluctant to go. Especially because it's expensive and I lost my job because of the pandemic.

so few weeks until next appointment. Not reluctant to go to next one.

Did you go for your subsequent session? How did you find it?

 

[Mondo]

2nd session went similar to the 1st, tears didn't stop for the remainder of the day. Was also useful to find out no diazepam allowed prior to or afterward as this interferes with processing... the saga continues. It's difficult and does throw up lots of uncomfortable thoughts inbetween sessions but no worse than I felt before.

 

[xkonstantinexx]

2nd session went similar to the 1st, tears didn't stop for the remainder of the day. Was also useful to find out no diazepam allowed prior to or afterward as this interferes with processing... the saga continues. It's difficult and does throw up lots of uncomfortable thoughts inbetween sessions but no worse than I felt before.

I'm glad to hear that you're responding to the EMDR. I hope the situation gets better for you.

I, on the other hand, have just found out that I will not be going for my EMDR. I just can't afford it. In fact, I might even have to stop therapy altogether.

 

[Mondo]

I'm glad to hear that you're responding to the EMDR. I hope the situation gets better for you.

I, on the other hand, have just found out that I will not be going for my EMDR. I just can't afford it. In fact, I might even have to stop therapy altogether.

If you need to chat or offload happy to listen, there's a way you can do it online but it's just not as effective

 

[xkonstantinexx]

If you need to chat or offload happy to listen, there's a way you can do it online but it's just not as effective

Yeah, I saw a couple of clinics that offer online therapies in my part of the world but the cost is still too high. Oh well just not meant to be, I guess.

 

[western_heart]

I am about to do EMDR online. We couldn't find anyone within reasonable driving distance for me that was covered by my health plan, so it has to be remote. My second appointment is this afternoon, and I don't know if we'll get to EMDR this time or if it will be more introduction and discussion of my trauma or what.

 

[xkonstantinexx]

I am about to do EMDR online. We couldn't find anyone within reasonable driving distance for me that was covered by my health plan, so it has to be remote. My second appointment is this afternoon, and I don't know if we'll get to EMDR this time or if it will be more introduction and discussion of my trauma or what.

Do let us know on how effective you find the online sessions to be, please?

 

[western_heart]

I had my second session yesterday. We still didn't get to actual EMDR. My therapist asked me about how I experience dissociation, what signs I show when it happens, and we came up with ideas on how I can cope with it during session. Hand movements, fidget toys, etc. We talked about her approach (take it slow), and how I'm in control–if I get too stressed/out of it, we can stop EMDR for a session and talk about something else.

We went over the various ways to actually do the eye movements or tapping over a video call. She tried a few different hand movements (diagonal, side by side) along with moving a pen from side to side. We also did various ways of tapping using my hands.

I know there's also a website that can be used for EMDR, with a therapist remotely controlling a dot on the screen, but my therapist didn't mention it.
Maybe I should email/text her about it? this is the first therapist I've had where I can contact that way which is great.

My next session is next week! Another thing I'm happy about: she schedules her own appointments, I don't have to call a secretary to do it, and the next one is on the same day and time. My last therapist didn't do that.

 

[xkonstantinexx]

8m h

I had my second session yesterday. We still didn't get to actual EMDR. My therapist asked me about how I experience dissociation, what signs I show when it happens, and we came up with ideas on how I can cope with it during session. Hand movements, fidget toys, etc. We talked about her approach (take it slow), and how I'm in control–if I get too stressed/out of it, we can stop EMDR for a session and talk about something else.

We went over the various ways to actually do the eye movements or tapping over a video call. She tried a few different hand movements (diagonal, side by side) along with moving a pen from side to side. We also did various ways of tapping using my hands.

I know there's also a website that can be used for EMDR, with a therapist remotely controlling a dot on the screen, but my therapist didn't mention it.
Maybe I should email/text her about it? this is the first therapist I've had where I can contact that way which is great.

My next session is next week! Another thing I'm happy about: she schedules her own appointments, I don't have to call a secretary to do it, and the next one is on the same day and time. My last therapist didn't do that.

I'm glad to hear that the sessions are helping you do keep us posted on the sessions.

 

[Mondo]

I had my second session yesterday. We still didn't get to actual EMDR. My therapist asked me about how I experience dissociation, what signs I show when it happens, and we came up with ideas on how I can cope with it during session. Hand movements, fidget toys, etc. We talked about her approach (take it slow), and how I'm in control–if I get too stressed/out of it, we can stop EMDR for a session and talk about something else.

We went over the various ways to actually do the eye movements or tapping over a video call. She tried a few different hand movements (diagonal, side by side) along with moving a pen from side to side. We also did various ways of tapping using my hands.

I know there's also a website that can be used for EMDR, with a therapist remotely controlling a dot on the screen, but my therapist didn't mention it.
Maybe I should email/text her about it? this is the first therapist I've had where I can contact that way which is great.

My next session is next week! Another thing I'm happy about: she schedules her own appointments, I don't have to call a secretary to do it, and the next one is on the same day and time. My last therapist didn't do that.

Mine uses a machine with coloured dots

 

[dreamlessnight]

Make sure the therapist brings up ways to control and cope with emotions before jumping into the painful memories.
It worked so well for me, finally giving a way to release the pent up anger and unaddressed feelings... that my family dogpiled against it, to the point I'm never coming back there. so yeah, go for it if you have the money.

 

[Gabu1984]

Had anyone found EMDR successful for CPTSD?

I did emdr for the best part of a year. The therapist was a very lovely, empathetic, compassionate and intelligent man. Initially I thought it was amazing and the therapy sessions felt amazing and profound but in the end I didnt feel it changed anything. I still have the same hang ups and insecurities and it didnt stop me from having a relapse with my psychosis. I hope it works for you but I feel I spent a lot of money and put in a lot of effort to get absolutely nowhere at all.