Starting emdr therapy. Anyone done it?

[sadandanxious]

I've been seeing a therapist for a few weeks and tonight we're going to be starting emdr therapy. I'm feeling very anxious today and I've no idea what to expect. My therapist keeps asking me for one particular strong emotion that I feel about each event that we will work through. But I don't know how I feel, I never know how I feel. It depends who I'm with and I feel like I change myself to suit the person / people I'm around and now I don't know who I even am.

I don't know whether I'm better off starting with the main thing that has been bothering me the most or to start off with something a little easier. Just feeling so off today and struggling to focus in work.

[AnxiousCarer]

I had Eye Movement Integration therapy, which is apparently similar. It was amazing and resolved all my anxiety, panic attecks and flashbacks in one session. The therapist I saw didn't need an exact emotion he worked with my descriptions of tight chest, nausea and even 'a bit of something' and it worked fine. I just worked with what I was feeling as I was stood there in the session. We worked through multiple emotions in the one session and went nack in time from recent events to early childhood events that I had no idea were contributing to my anxiety, random stuff like falling off a pony when I was 10. Hope you find it helpful. I didnt find my EMI distressing or frightening at all and it made a huge impact.

[picklemepopcorn]

The therapist has done it before. They will know how to help you through the process.

I've read a fair bit about it, and my DSis has had it. It has a good reputation. I believe it can help with preverbal trauma, so I wouldn't worry too much about detail.

Good luck, I hope it helps.

[FunkyChunk]

I had it for PTSD. It honestly changed my life. It won't be easy, you do have to work through things in depth and it's quite draining but the effects are outstanding.

Good luck

[sadandanxious]

Thank you all. I think I'll feel a little better after we've done it once and I'll know what to expect.

[FunkyChunk]

There are some videos on Youtube which show you EMDR sessions, maybe it would help to watch one so you know what to expect?

[wfrances]

didnt really work for me , i moved down the trauma /anxiety /depression scale but still stayed in the severe category.
i had about 12 x 1hr sessions.

[sadandanxious]

Thanks Funky

I'm sorry to hear that wfrances Did you find anything else helped?

[wfrances]

olanzapine takes the edge off unless my stress levels are too high, then nothing works.
i have a 12 week mindfulness course from april and have just started more talking therapy.