EMDR for PTSD, my story

[rene]

The way it was explained to me - our brains need both of its sides functioning during an experience to classify, and categorize, our experiences appropriately.

 

For example, when we have a bad dream, or nightmare, when we wake up we might recall it fully - but our brain has already given it the 'dream' clasification/code... and we can shake it off, eventually.

 

In some PTSD, in the case of a extreme-stress event, one of the brain's sides (hemispheres), doesn't kick in to do it's job during the experience and the experience isn't 'coded' appropriately...i.e., it isn't given (in my case) the 'it happened in the past, it's over now' classification.

 

For 7 months, back in the winter of 2010-2011, I lived in extreme fear. By choice, and because there was no other choice, I kept my husband alive through constant vigil, 24/7. Some things were in my control (right meds at the right time) but the things that I had no control over were the source of my fear: if the power went out he would die within 15 minutes and all I'd be able to do is watch. Remote Canada. Winter. Snowed in. Rescue wouldn't make it in time. Yeah, right.

 

I didn't realize the physical-stress toll this had taken on me until after he died, in the spring. The power never did go out - amazingly - but that constant fear still had me by the throat; couldn't even start to grieve, could barely function; I was so fucked up and didn't know how to fix it and sought help.

 

I got lucky. EMDR was pretty new back then & the counselor I found wanted to try it. The theory is this: Stimulate both sides of the brain while the experience is relived, through recalling everything, so the experience can be classified/coded the way it should have been in the first place.

 

It took six 2-hour sessions, twice a week. The debilitating fear no longer had me by the throat. I still remembered (and remember) everything....but only as a memory, rather than as flashback, and my stress-level (from the fear) dropped to near-zero.

 

Everyone's story is different. EMDR might not be effective on all types of PTSD. By god, though, it's worth a try. Saved my life, that.

 

I'm open to questions, if any.

 

Warm regards

[Aetherous]

Thanks for your very clear explanation of how EMDR works...that was helpful.

What you went through sounds very hard...I'm glad that this was so effective for you.

[rene]

Thanks, Aetherous. Usually EMDR uses eye movements, but my eyes weren't able to handle the process, so alternate tapping on my knees (while sitting with eyes closed) provided the necessary alternating-hemisphere stimulus. (-:

[nohbody]

Yes! Very similar. I'm sure the doc that taught me was familiar with this. 

[redcairo]

That is very interesting, thanks.

 

It reminds me of a meditation that ... well never mind but an identity in my inner world shared with me, related to the heart chakra and to visualizing and 'breathing/pushing' the 'shape of your fear' (however it intuitively presents to you when you ask for it to) out of your body.

 

It's had a couple astounding results with me. In both examples, when it finally reaches my primary 'edge' (skin) and starts pushing through (this is all imaginal, as energy), it shifts me into the NOW with the energy -- like extreme emotion IN the moment of it -- but once it's fully out and passes, it's gone -- and from then on, the event in question is "information not emotion" in me.

 

Sounds like a similar end result.