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EMDR

Emmy.
Community Member

Hi,

I’m reaching out to try and ask others about their experience with EMDR.

Yesterday my (new) psychologist started some EMDR with me. My previous psychologist made me do a disassociation test and determined I shouldn’t do EMDR and my psychiatrist agreed with her. So never started.

Cut to a couple years later and my psychiatrist recommended I start seeing a new psychologist that offers DBT but rather than start on that he’s been more focused on EMDR. He didn’t get me to do a quiz or anything.

Anyway yesterday when he started he asked me to recall a memory and then follow his hand. Sometimes I wasn’t back in the memory but simply looking at his hand. I didn’t tell him that as I didn’t want to upset or offend him or do the wrong thing. Should I have told him? Is it normal that this happens (just watching his hand not recalling the event)? Sometimes I could recall the event maybe 40% memory 60% just watching his hand.

Is what I’m saying making sense.

Anyway would love to know others experiences and how you’d feel the day after. Today I feel so depressed and can’t stop crying.

Thanks for reading this far and any help / advice / comments welcome.

Emmy.

2 Replies 2

Nurse_Jenn
Community Member

Hi Emmy.

It is great to see you pose questions on the forum about EMDR. I am sorry that you are not feeling well and I wonder if you were able to talk with someone or find a way to move your mood into a different place? Somedays can be a lot harder than others and I encourage you to use to forum to get support when times are difficult. Be kind to yourself and know that you are not alone.

As for your questions on Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), I have done some research as it is not my area of specialty and have found an FAQ that is used but the Australian Association of EMDR. It might be useful to have some more background on the therapy. https://emdraa.org/what-is-emdr/

Being completely honest with your therapist would be important. This would help them determine if the therapy is right for you. If you are not feeling focused on the EMDR therapy during a session, they may try a different approach with you. Having trust with a new therapist takes some time but by being up front, you may get more out of the time you have with your therapist.

Let us know how you go at your next session. According to research, it can benefit some people. I suspect like anything, it comes down to the individual. Two people can have a bad back and one can benefit from a chiropractic appointment and the other may benefit from acupuncture - treatment is a very personal experience. Determining if EMDR is right for you may take some time and persistence.

As for your low mood symptoms, please let us know how you are going today. If you aren't around some people who are able to support you, don't hesitate to reach out on the forum or try the Beyond Blue support line on 1300 22 4636. Sometimes when your having a bad day, you just need to get it out and talk with someone.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

Emmy.
Community Member

Thanks Nurse Jenn for your reply.

I will look at the website you recommended.

Yesterday I caught up with some friends which was really nice but today again I’m feeling exhausted and flat. I’ll get there though. I see my psychiatrist Wednesday so can talk with him about everything (before seeing my psychologist on Friday).

I’ll also be more open with my psychologist... as you said, there’s no point doing EMDR if it doesn’t benefit me. Often I worry though... I don’t want to hurt their feelings but he tells me I shouldn’t worry about his feelings while I’m there, only my own. It’s still hard to say something.

Thank you for offering me the Beyond Blue contact number. I should be fine. I have a very loving husband, and saw my family today also. Just need to go with the emotions I suppose. Emmy