Has emdr worked for anyone?

[Beware of Junk Psychology...]

I posted earlier. And when I saw a picture someone sent in a group text I shook physically and went numb. I've been numb all day. I relapsed and sent bad emails. I finally had enough amd scheduled an emdr session for monday. I'm really hopeful. I've done more research and it looks like it could be a betrayal trauma bond. When I spoke t the the therapist over the phone about the shaking she was so concerned. Has anyone tried it? Does it work?

[roberto516]

I posted earlier. And when I saw a picture someone sent in a group text I shook physically and went numb. I've been numb all day. I relapsed and sent bad emails. I finally had enough amd scheduled an emdr session for monday. I'm really hopeful. I've done more research and it looks like it could be a betrayal trauma bond. When I spoke t the the therapist over the phone about the shaking she was so concerned. Has anyone tried it? Does it work?

[Sunfl0wer]

I have been doing emdr now ongoing.  It has been very helpful.  Brought down my anxiety level on things I didn't kniw I waas anxious over.

[Jillian1231]

Yes, I have done EMDR a couple of times as well and I think it is amazing.  Be open to the experience and I am sure it will be a great benefit to you as well.

I have also found listening to hypnosis videos on YouTube while I am falling asleep and sleeping to be super helpful.  

I am starting to stop myself when I want to reach out to my exBPD and ask myself why am I not thinking about myself in this moment?  What feelings am I experiencing?  And what can I do to help myself feel better?  Sometimes, journaling the stuff I want to say to him helps get it out of my mind and body.  I keep a running document of all the things I endured as memories start to surface and go back to it when I find myself fantasizing over all the GOOD times.

Keep taking care of you!  You are valuable and lovable just the way you are.

[roberto516]

Thanks everyone. I'm starting to realize how far down this rabbit hole really goes, and it's disturbing to see that I was so self-assured, confident, independent and then just like that I let my boundaries down and here I am.

[Harley Quinn]

Hi roberto,

I'd be really interested to know how you find it and what they recommend regards number of sessions etc.  I know I'm suffering the effects of some pretty hardcore trauma and am due to see a psychiatrist for our first consultation on Monday to see what they think and recommend for me.  Don't know if emdr is something that is available with the mental health team in my area but will be asking this.
 Please do let us know how you get on.  I hope it brings you much relief.  Look after yourself.

Love and light x

[roberto516]

I will. I know the first two sessions will probably be talking to figure out what my trauma list is, and why I experienced the trauma based on my past. Then the actual sessions will start. I'm glad I'm taking this step. I wish I didn't have to do it, but there's just too much pain and I'm always reacting to triggers. I now know what people say when they talk about being constantly on edge. If I see the type of car she drives (which naturally everyone has) my mind reverts to a panic. Apparently it helps you not react to those triggers to the point you just feel indifferent to those situations or thoughts. It's what I've been trying to do for so long, but I can't get my brain out of flight mode when it happens. So I hope it helps. I'm ready, accepting, and willing.

I just can't believe that someone who on the outside is so gentle, kind, and passive can be such a different person behind closed doors. It literally became a stockholm syndrome. I didn't talk to anyone about our relationship because if I did they would have told me to run away. I knew that. So I empathized and wanted to protect my abuser. The people I would have talked to would have been co-workers, and I didn't want to disrespect her by airing our dirty laundry. It's even crazier that I allowed this after knowing the warning signs from my first BPD relationship. It's tough not to get caught up in the idealization and to leave when they are begging you to stay with them. It's stuff I need to work on for sure.

[Skip]

You can search the site with the google bar at the top of he page.

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

[Duped 1]

I did a few sessions about 3 months back. It helped some but not as much as I had hoped for.

[Sunfl0wer]

Imo, wish I did it years ago... .wish I did it in my 20's instead of 40's.  Instead spent lots of time with other therapists not skilled in modalities like this... .I simply didn't know any better.  My current therapist has done EMDR, ACR(affective circuit resetting), and brain spotting.

We accomplished more in the past year than I ever would have expected in other therapies I have had, way more.  (Taking me over a year cause I got some complex trauma and dissociation.  Most folks wouldn't take nearly as long as me to get where it has gotten me.)

It took three sessions of EMDR helped me to overcome a sharp phobia I have due to foster mom throwing a knife at me.  This was a pretty ingrained phobia with a lot of repeat traumas after it. So that is why it took three sessions to undo.  My son is now doing EMDR.  He does not have the childhood trauma complications that I do and I can see, that many things he is going for take only one session for the trauma or he can cover several concepts in a single session.  He reports after just three total sessions now, increased thought process/reaction time and I notice a lot less general anxiety with him that is obviously lowered following each session, he agrees.

When I have had repeat trauma throughout the month or so, and find myself stuck ruminating over it and mentally stuck in the same mental place, just part of a single session gets me out of that and relaxed and shifting focus on other things.  The ruminations completely go away for me.  Seems to me, more folks could be seeking this out. 

Oh, the affects are instantaneous.  And often continue to improve over the next 24 hrs right after a session.  However, I actually notice I may continue reprocessing what we worked on up to 5 days or so afterwards.

Anyway, good luck! Hope it helps!

[joeramabeme]

Roberto

In addition to the link Skip sent I recommend that you do not rush into this with just any therapist, especially if you have not already met then and have a full trusting relationship with them. 

EMDR is intended to bring up old feelings that you can safely revisit.  Having Trust is important.

Best