87. I had my first EMDR session - My experience and why I tried EMDR

Summary

In this podcast, the speaker shares their journey with EMDR therapy after experiencing increased anxiety and panic attacks. They describe their first session, which involved focusing on the panic attack memories while following a ball on the screen, as well as the emotional and physical exhaustion they felt post-session. Despite feeling worse initially, the speaker eventually noticed positive changes, feeling calmer and more in control. They encourage others dealing with anxiety to consider EMDR therapy, while acknowledging that results vary for each person. The speaker plans to update listeners on their progress after more sessions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker shares their personal experience of starting therapy again, including both EFT and EMDR sessions.
• 😀 EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) involves tapping on specific points on the body, which the speaker had previously tried and discussed in another podcast episode.
• 😀 The speaker had been struggling with increased anxiety and panic attacks since January, which prompted them to seek therapy.
• 😀 The speaker initially hoped that a trip to Bali would alleviate their anxiety, but instead, the noise and environment worsened their condition.
• 😀 EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was suggested by the therapist to address panic attacks and anxiety, focusing on reprocessing traumatic memories.
• 😀 In the first EMDR session, the speaker focused on recalling their first panic attack, which was a terrifying experience of feeling like they were dying.
• 😀 During the session, the speaker followed a ball moving left to right on a screen, helping to distract the brain while processing emotional memories.
• 😀 After the first session, the speaker felt extremely tired and physically unwell for about a week, experiencing dizziness and a deep sense of fatigue.
• 😀 The therapist reassured the speaker that the tiredness was normal and that it could take a few days to feel better after EMDR sessions.
• 😀 After about 10 days, the speaker began to feel significantly better, experiencing a sense of calm they hadn’t felt since the onset of their anxiety in January.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how different EMDR can be for each person, with some needing many sessions while others only need one, and emphasizes the importance of working with a skilled therapist.

Q & A

What is EMDR therapy, and how is it different from EFT?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy involves recalling traumatic memories while following a moving object on a screen. It aims to process and heal emotional distress linked to those memories. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), on the other hand, involves tapping on certain acupressure points while focusing on negative emotions, which helps to reduce anxiety and stress.

Why did the speaker decide to try EMDR therapy?

The speaker decided to try EMDR therapy due to increasing anxiety and panic attacks that began in January. They were hoping that therapy would help manage these symptoms, which became overwhelming after moving to Bali, where they expected peace but instead experienced worsened anxiety.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to their first EMDR session?

During their first EMDR session, the speaker was unsure of what to expect and felt anxious, especially when their therapist asked if they were home alone. As the session progressed, they had to confront the feelings of their first panic attack, which brought back intense emotions, including physical shaking.

How does the EMDR process work during a session?

In an EMDR session, the person recalls a traumatic memory or panic attack and focuses on the intense emotions tied to it. Simultaneously, they follow a moving object on a screen (such as a ball) and identify its changing colors, which serves as a distraction to help the brain process the memory and reduce emotional distress.

What physical and emotional effects did the speaker experience after the first EMDR session?

After the first EMDR session, the speaker felt extremely tired, both physically and emotionally. They experienced dizziness, nausea, and were unable to do much beyond resting. The speaker also cried a lot and felt overwhelmed by their exhaustion, which lasted for about a week.

How long did it take for the speaker to start feeling better after the first session?

It took about 10 days for the speaker to start feeling better. After this period, they noticed a significant improvement when they were able to go out, feel calm, and enjoy being in social settings for the first time since their panic attacks started.

What advice did the speaker give to others considering EMDR therapy?

The speaker recommended trying EMDR therapy if you are dealing with anxiety, but emphasized that it might be intense. They also suggested finding a therapist who specializes in EMDR and makes you feel safe. Different people may need different numbers of sessions, so it's important to be open to the process.

What are some other techniques used in EMDR therapy besides the visual ball movement?

Besides the visual ball movement, other techniques in EMDR therapy may include tapping on the legs or listening to sounds through headphones. These methods aim to distract the brain while processing emotions tied to traumatic memories.

Why was the speaker concerned after the first session, and how did their therapist reassure them?

The speaker was concerned because they felt much worse after the first session, with their anxiety symptoms intensifying. Their therapist reassured them that feeling exhausted and overwhelmed was normal, as it indicated that the therapy was working to process the traumatic memories.

What other recovery methods did the speaker use alongside EMDR therapy?

In addition to EMDR therapy, the speaker used EFT tapping to calm themselves and help with recovery. They also practiced yoga to relax and ease their anxiety, as part of their overall strategy to manage their symptoms.