Stress Center Peer Support

Has anyone else tried EMDR Therapy? I have been working with my therapist to address my anxiety that may be due to my past events like an unstable childhood. Sometime I feel great after a session and other times I feel down for days after. I guess it is part of facing problems and resolving issues. I am just worried that the therapy will not help or make things worse. I am using my Attacking Anxiety program and reading a book called Learned Optimism also. I feel I am getting better even though I feel down at times due to thinking about amxiety and other issues all the time. Anyway I just wanted some thoughts on EMDR. Thanks.

I had it done about 11 years ago after my mother died. I had several sessions and it helped so much to desensitize some of the traumatic images. I can't remember though exactly how I felt right after the session. I may have been very emotional but I don't recall being anxious. I haven't run in to anyone else that has had this done before. It was pretty effective for me.

I've done it and plan on doing it again and again. I was not a big believer in this type of therapy. I don't really understand how it works...but I have felt it work for me. And, I have never heard anyone say that they DIDN"T get something out of EMDR. I would advise any to try it. Good luck.

I found this thread very timely (isn't that funny how that happens sometimes) as just today my new therapist was talking about EMDR and feels that I could benefit. I was interested to hear the experience of others. I'll admit it scares me though. I don't have any one major traumatic event that I am trying to come to terms with, just little events, some over 20 years ago, that still haunt me from time to time.

I tried it for awhile- it didn't work too well on me, but it did help. It's really good for PTSD issues. Everyone is different and depending on your issues it could really work. I've heard amazing stories about how great it is so I think you should give it a try!

Well,
I can truely say EMDR has worked wonders for me the effects were almost immediate. My therapist did EMDR with me along with visual imagry and I can tell you that I can go down hills without panic and I am just a much more calmer person. I was just thinking to myself today that I finally feel like the old normal me again and it feels good. I do know that the program and lots of books and dvds have helped also, but I think the EMDR is by far the most effective thing I have had for me. The results may not be immediate for everyone, my therapist said it was highly effective for me, sometimes you might now feel anything for a couple of weeks, but it does work. I have found that now when I am riding in the car and I not even panicky about so many things like I was before. Like I said, I am finally starting to feel good and normal again. I say please give it a try if you have access to it.