BPDFamily.com

Hi everybody,

Just wondering if anybody has had experience with EMDR therapy? My therapist suggested it for me, but just wanted to see if anybody here had something to say about it.

Thanks!

NaturalTurn

Hi naturalturn,

I have not had experience with EMDR, but pulled a discussion on it from the library if you want to check it out... .

https://bpdfamily.com/message_board/index.php?topic=37825.0

Panda39

Hi Naturalturn.  I did a few sessions with EMDR many years ago but stopped.  it was not a good fit for me.  It was too long ago for me to remember why though.  I amy not have been ready for it.  There are many people here who have used it and have benefitted greatly from it.  Is this something your current T would do or would they refer you elsewhere? 

Hi naturalturn  :hi:

I don’t have any experience with it, but I would be willing to try it if there were any providers within a reasonable distance from me.

How do you feel about trying it? 

  L2T

Hi, naturalturn!

I had just a couple sessions of EMDR with a past therapist. This was through my regular therapist, and it's possible that if I had read about it beforehand I would have been my usual skeptical self. But I'm glad to have had the experience.

I was having some severe anxiety, and my therapist was really good at helping me understand intellectually the what/why/how of an amygdala hijack. But the EMDR sessions seemed to make things "click" for me in a physical way. Honestly, I never really used the tapping techniques outside those couple of sessions, but for me that was enough to create some better mind/body connections: monitoring how much tension I was actually holding in my body, and allowing myself to breathe and release the physical tension (and to enjoy that sensation!), to conjure up thoughts about the wonderful people in my life who love me and places where I feel safe, and to envision "driving" my thoughts along the scenic neural pathways to the logical part my brain.

Thank you for all the responses!

Thank you, Panda, for the link, I'll definitely check out the discussion.

Good to know Harri. Thanks for sharing your experience, my regular therapist wouldn't do it. It would be done by an EMDR specialist recommended by my therapist.

Learning2Thrive, I am interested in trying! It's very intriguing the whole thing... .I guess it's worth a shot!

Sklamath, I'm glad to hear it helped you, it sounds great! Thanks for sharing! 

Hi.  My therapist tried it with me but it did not help.  We are currently working on healing my inner child, mostly talking through it and this helping but everyone is different.

Hi NaturalTurn  :hi:

I was out of the loop for a bit, but I was thinking about you this morning and wondering how you are doing.

Did you try EMDR yet?

Sending you gentle hugs and smiles,

  L2T

I have had EMDR therapy and highly recommend it. EMDR forced me to stay present in the moment, and process very painful feelings I was unable to face alone. It was extremely overwhelming at first, because my therapist was only giving me an hour session. The standard protocol is 90 minute sessions. Be sure your therapist puts you back together before leaving. What I was doing the one hour sessions, I left feeling disassociated, lost, and in terrible emotional pain for several days. Nothing has helped me more than EMDR, though there are people who cannot tolerate it because it so overwhelming to suddenly be present with all the intolerable feelings. Many therapists no longer do EMDR, because of how it overwhelms clients and therapists. Take care and let us know how the EMDR goes.

Hi L2T!

I appreciate your thoughts   I actually just had my first appointment yesterday. It was the soonest I could get in. It seems EMDR is very popular! I really connected well with the lady I saw for EMDR, I spent the first session just telling her about my situation so no treatment has been started yet. I am looking forward to starting the actual EMDR therapy though!

Overall, I'm feeling so much better. I haven't spoken to my mother since the last time I was on here (a little over a month) and I feel alive again. So many people have commented (who don't know about my mom's craziness) that I look so much better lately and look like I have slept. I feel much happier without her in my life and really don't miss her at all. I feel like I have a personality and don't feel so chaotic and crazy anymore. It truly is wonderful. My relationship has gotten better with my fiance and it feels like we just started dating all over again/in a super lovey-dovey stage 

I still have lingering guilt and anxiety which I have done a pretty good job pushing out of my mind, but occasionally it gets the better of me. I dread the day I have to see my mother's face or hear her voice again.

I greatly appreciate all the support you as well as other members of the community have given me. Sometimes I have struggled to get back on here because it is so nice not to think about my mother. But tonight my grandmother (who I think has BPD as well) left a nasty voicemail on my phone. I couldn't listen to the whole thing. I am trying not to focus too much on it though.

How are you L2T? 

Excellent! I am excited to hear how it goes for you.

This is wonderful news too! Getting out of the FOG is a great start. You are doing really well. 

This is understandable, but I think you should feel confident that you’re doing all the right things to become stronger and healthier. When it happens, you will be strong enough to handle it. You might even become surprised at how not-so-powerful she is now that you have a better understanding of her disorder and behaviors. Not that understanding makes it ok. Nothing makes abuse ok. But if you can detach emotionally from her behaviors, you will not have strong reactions (that she is likely seeking) and you can make better decisions for yourself. A healthier cycle.

We are here to support and encourage you in your journey toward healing, whenever that is. I understand how you feel because I used to feel that way too. These days I don’t feel like it’s thinking about her so much as it’s thinking about how to heal myself from her abuse. Please always know, there’s no pressure to come here. We’re like a healthy family that just wants the best for you. I’m always glad to hear from you, no matter how often that is.


I’m doing a lot better after losing my pup last month. Some moments are still really painful and hard, but the peaceful acceptance times seem to be growing. I’m trying to honor the love, acceptance and all the healing gifts he gave me. Thank you for asking. You are very kind. 

Have a wonderful lovey dovey weekend with your fiancé.

  L2T

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup, L2T. I know how painful that is, I still remember the pain I had when I lost my dog a few years ago. Now, I have a one year old pup and he has helped me heal so much. I hope you will continue to grow in peace   Thank you again for your support, it means a lot to me.