Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.

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EMDR

yanabobana5
yanabobana5

I visited my therapist today and she suggested I try EMDR therapy. I have read a few testimonies and research articles that cover this modality of therapy, and it sounds like it has amazing results. I don’t think that this is for everyone, since we are all at different points in our own healing process, but this seems like it would allow me to “tie up the loose ends” of my trauma in a way that verbal therapy cannot. I just wanted to check in and see if any of you have tried it? What was the experience like? Did it help with the trauma? I’m excited to try it, and I’m optimistic that it might help me, so any feedback is appreciated :) 

arfie
arfie
I haven't had the formal therapy, but I have several of the exercises in my therapy toolbox. The exercises are both simple and effective. I would have tried the formal therapy if it had been available earlier in my healing journey.

Hope you give it a go and keep us updated on your progress, Yana.

Gentle support, whichever way you take it.
yanabobana5
yanabobana5
Oh okay, that’s good to know. I will keep you guys updated. Thank you for sharing :)
nancy6464
nancy6464
Sorry , I have no experience with it either but triple hugs to support you during your exploration. I think it's a good sign that you are optimistic. .
yanabobana5
yanabobana5
No worries! Thank you for the support <3
StrengthofMind
StrengthofMind
I tried it and it retraumatized me. Don't let that stop you though. My therapist, a trauma expert, really believes in it and I trust him. I've heard a lot of good about it. Most people are successful with it. If you can afford it go for it.
yanabobana5
yanabobana5
Gosh, I’m so sorry. I heard that it makes your trauma pretty vivid for a moment and then it goes away. Thank you for your honesty though, it gives me more insight :)
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Haven't done it, either, and I'd want to be sure not to have that re-traumatizing mentioned above happen to me. That said, though, I heard an hour long podcast about it done by a therapist, and he sold me on it, at least as an idea. Let us know how the real experience is, then, OK? And make sure that re-traumatizing thing doesn't happen--a good therapist ought to be able to prevent that, right?
yanabobana5
yanabobana5
Yes, you’re so right. I will keep you updated! Yes, I have been with the same therapist for three years and she knows me really well. The stories I’ve heard of patients being retraumatized seems like it’s because they are with a therapist who doesn’t know them as well. Fingers crossed <3
yanabobana5
yanabobana5
Thank you! That’s very encouraging :) and I’m so glad it works for you.
delta2018
delta2018
I’ve just started in the last couple of weeks. Initially I experienced more troubling dreams...not quite nightmares thankfully. I do “see” the events in my minds eye more, which may be a good thing. I have heard of others being severely affected by this therapy if they weren’t prepared well. I went through over a year of DBT therapy before starting so that I had coping skills on board to deal with any adverse effects. I would suggest exploring DBT and talking to your therapist if you have apprehensive thoughts about doing it. Good luck to you. I have to believe things get better overall.
yanabobana5
yanabobana5
Thank you! I start the EMDR today, and I am very excited. I understand that some people experience adverse effects, but my therapist knows me very well :) I’m just ready to start moving on with my life.
drangonflylady
drangonflylady
I have done it and it helped me tremendously. I stopped having nightmare and was able to go off my nightmare meds. It has helped me in so many ways. I hoe you give it a try cause you have nothing to lose and everything to gain potentially. Good luck
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