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Original poster

Anyone tried EMDR?

26 replies

JamDoorNut · 12/12/2022 09:39

Wondering if anyone tried EMDR and can share positives/negatives? I’m struggling with claustrophobia which is stopping me flying and the therapist I spoke to suggest EMDR-

OP posts:
Mabelface · 12/12/2022 09:42

I had it for trauma and it was very effective for me. The therapist helped me reprogramme how I dealt with mine in a safe space, so I actually managed to process what had happened to me.

Original poster
JamDoorNut · 12/12/2022 10:33

Thank you @Mabelface , glad it worked for you- everything I read so far talks about trauma- not sure if that’s the treatment for my phobia..

did you gave any vivid dreams? Apparently a side effect

OP posts:
Facecream · 12/12/2022 10:36

I have, for PTSD. It took a long time to fully recover (if I have) but I’m much better now.
Id suggest looking for an EMDR therapist online and ask them if it’d be suitable for your phobia…
Best of luck OP.

Divebar2021 · 12/12/2022 11:19

I used to work in child protection and when I had DD I had 9 months of bad dreams ( that I had smothered her in the bed). I was pretty stunned to get referred via the GP for 6 sessions of EMDR which they did as a courtesy because of my job. Completely resolved my problem…. No other vivid dreams in its place.

Mabelface · 12/12/2022 11:22

No vivid dreams here.

Original poster
JamDoorNut · 15/12/2022 11:26

Thank you for all your responses

OP posts:
Original poster
JamDoorNut · 15/12/2022 11:28

I had the session- she said it was a mix if EMDR and hypnotherapy
I had my eyes closed and she was guiding me to talk to my scared self

then she read out some of the affirmations if you like out loud - while my eyes were closed

OP posts:
Original poster
JamDoorNut · 15/12/2022 11:29

There is the recording of her reading it out which she has sent for me to listen.

is this how it was for you all?

OP posts:
Original poster
JamDoorNut · 15/12/2022 21:14

Bump!

OP posts:
Rummikub · 15/12/2022 21:27

I had it for ptsd. I had to think of a safe space and have that imprinted in my brain then remember the event by following her hand left to right.
Cab also did it with sound or vibrating things in left and right hands. I preferred following with eyes.

No vivid dreams and it did help a lot.

i guess the therapist might want you to look at the first time you felt claustrophobic?

i highly recommend it.

Kentlassie · 15/12/2022 21:33

I had it too. It helped me. No vivid dreams.

cardboardbox24 · 15/12/2022 21:38

Did you check if your therapist had completed their EMDR training? EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help you process your difficulty (eg following your therapists fingers, tapping opposite sides of your body). Did they explain how EMDR works?

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 15/12/2022 21:38

I’ve had it. Unfortunately I didn’t help for me (PTSD). However it worked for pretty much everyone I know who has had it! So I wouldn’t let my experience put you off🙂 It’s definitely worth a try.
I wonder if it didn’t work for me because it was online (during covid). Might have been different face to face.
Despite it not working I didn’t give up and sought help/made life style changes in lots of different ways, and I am mentally so much better now than I was before. So don’t give up OP👍

Original poster
JamDoorNut · 15/12/2022 23:42

@Rummikub thats what it was- she was talking me into going back to the place where I felt trapped/claustrophobic

OP posts:
Original poster
JamDoorNut · 15/12/2022 23:43

@BunniesBunniesBunnies really pleased that you are making progress. I’m really keen to make this work for me..

OP posts:
londonmummy1966 · 15/12/2022 23:46

I had a preliminary meeting with a therapist who simply described what he was going to do with a very short demonstration. After a discussion we agreed it wasn't quite right for my issues. However I discovered shortly afterwards that a life long phobia of dogs had disappeared - no idea how or why but always wonder if it was the EMDR as it wasn't something I'd discussed with anyone.

Rummikub · 16/12/2022 01:51

JamDoorNut · 15/12/2022 23:42

@Rummikub thats what it was- she was talking me into going back to the place where I felt trapped/claustrophobic

part of mine was my miscarriage and I had to go through that. Before then I couldn’t talk about it without crying but now I can. It’s weird, like something changed from within.

Your therapist should go at your pace and have something nice / calming planed or plan to do nothing afterwards.

crispinglovershighkick · 16/12/2022 02:51

I had it for depression and anxiety, I'd been waking early every morning with a knot in my stomach for no apparent reason, unable to go back to sleep. I can't say it felt transformative at the time but the knot in my stomach went away almost immediately and I stopped waking early.

IloveJudgeJudy · 16/12/2022 06:00

DD had it and it worked for her.

strugglingdaily · 16/12/2022 06:22

I have had it and it helped but no way cleared it. I found it really intense as they continually ask you how you feeling now and 1-2 minutes does not change how you feeling. Well not for me.

Rummikub · 16/12/2022 08:57

crispinglovershighkick · 16/12/2022 02:51

I had it for depression and anxiety, I'd been waking early every morning with a knot in my stomach for no apparent reason, unable to go back to sleep. I can't say it felt transformative at the time but the knot in my stomach went away almost immediately and I stopped waking early.

Yes it doesn't feel different but there’s an impact and change in behaviour/feelings. It’s v subtle.

SolarEcrisp · 16/12/2022 09:49

I read that Prince Harry had this for his unresolved trauma from his mother’s death, just wondering if anyone else has had this for similar trauma and whether it worked? Thanks

cardboardbox24 · 16/12/2022 14:10

@SolarEcrisp I have delivered EMDR to a client with traumatic grief and it was very helpful for her. It doesn't take away feelings of sadness and loss, but helped her to process feelings is stuckness and the very raw and visceral emotions which made her feel like the trauma had only just happened. She was then able to recall all the happy memories they'd had together, without being subsumed by grief.

SolarEcrisp · 16/12/2022 20:50

Thanks @cardboardbox24 , that’s really helpful

Shitfather · 16/12/2022 22:07

For anyone who has experienced trauma, I highly recommend the incredible book The Body keeps the Score. There is a chapter on EMDR.