who has tried EMDR therapy?

minxie

It has been recommended I try EMDR because of my PTSD, panic attacks, and repeated nightmares from my cancer and treatment. If you have tried it, did it help at all?

cathmg

Hi Minxie,

I did EMDR, along with taking Celexa, and it did alleviate the panic and despair I was going through. It is important to have a practitioner who has lots of experience, and is well qualified, as it is something of an art to practice. Through the EMDR sessions, we quickly got to the root experiences and traumas that led to my depression/anxiety-more quickly than just talking about them with a counselor. 

I think I already had low grade anxiety and ptsd from a difficult childhood-being brought up by an alcoholic father and depressed/neglectful mother. The cancer diagnosis, chemo, and Tamoxifen just pushed me over the edge. I had the panic attacks, nightmares, and endless tears.

I hope you try it, and that it gives you some relief. Please let me know if I can answer any specific questions about EMDR.

Best,

CAt

minxie

Thanks Cat - I am also on Cymbalta, which has helped somewhat, but it doesn't take much to get me spiraling out of control again. Can you tell me how many sessions of EMDR it took to feel like it was working?

cathmg

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapy that combines talk therapy with cross -brain stimulation (this is my very unscientific explanation). The stimulation was provided by buzzers placed in my hands that alternated buzzing. Sound odd, but it worked to reduce the power/feelings of the trauma I went through. Some of the scenes/topics I processed: telling my two teens I had cancer, taking the bandages off after my bmx, fear of dying.

I estimate that I went weekly for about three months. Then I started to feel more like "myself", and started to participate and enjoy things like being out in nature, exercising, etc. Then there came a time where I felt like I was done processing horror, and didn't want to talk about it anymore, and it felt like I reentered the regular world. 

Minxie, are you doing any talk therapy right now? Have you been having PTSD symptoms since diagnosis, or when did it start? I have been through it, so know you're not alone.

Hugs,

Cat

minxie

Hadley - it's like Cat explained. They use it a lot on vets who have seen combat, crime victims, people who have been through trauma and can't move on - like me.

Cat - I have always been prone to worry and anxiety, and had a few life experiences that plunged me into depression (bad breakup, infertility) but nothing compares with cancer. The PTSD started this past spring, about 7 months after my BMX and almost a year from my last chemo.  Constant fear and worry about it coming back, to the point where I was convinced I was dying - but it was all panic attack symptoms. Hopefully the EMDR can do something. Thanks for your help!

cathmg

Minxie,

I had a couple books that helped: "Walking Your Blues Away" by Thom Hartmann, and "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook."

Walking is also a cross-brain activity, and Thom Hartmann explains trauma very well. I find that if I don't exercise, I get anxious.

My EMDR therapist said to me at one session, "you deserve to have serenity" and that really clicked with me. 

Sending you thoughts and wishes for peace and healing,

C. 

karen1956

Minxie....I had my 1st session with EMDR yesterday.....and I really felt that some progress was made...atleast some connections were made that were never put together before.....I have done therapy on and off for 3 1/2 years and did not feel as positive after a session as I did yesterday....that being said, I was drained when I left...I am going back again on Thursday....it will be interesting as that will be 5 years since Dx....We are going to do a combination of EMDR and talk therapy....I don't know if my insurance will cover this, but whatever the cost it will be worth it, if I get some resolve....I currently take Wellbutrin...but have also taken effecxor, celexa, lamictal and other meds in the past 3 1/2 years.....

Hadley....EMDR has been around for over 20 years.....it started out with vets and has spread to others with ptsd.....you can google it to for more info

CAT....good description..

Will keep you posted on how things go....

altered_reality

Thanks to all of you for this timely information. I will research EMDR and than print and bring the results to my appointment this coming Tuesday.  It sounds promising.

cathmg.... That is exactly what I'm looking for "serenity".

Blessings to all...... 

marxi

i did EMDR therapy and it was effective for depression and PTSD

micharmedlife

Has anyone got anything else to report on this topic?  I'm very interested in EMDR for help with breast cancer PTSD.  Can anyone tell me how the experience was for them, and if there's anything in particular that helped during the EMDR process - what your therapist might have said, what your reactions were, etc.  

Thanks! 

karen1956

Micharmedlife....I tried EMDR for several sessions...I just read my post from my 1st session and didn't remember feeling so positive about it....we stopped it as it was not working....went back to talk Therapy and anti-depressants.....prozac....it was the worst med I ever tried.....made me so much more depressed....I can't  believe how much better I feel off of it....psychiatrist decided I should stay med free for several months and just do therapy....I'm becoming so skeptical as I don't feel I've made any progress...I haven't seen therapist in a month due to religious holidays and travel...I have appt next week, but need to change the time.....part of me just feels like saying to heck with it all and just accept that this is how life is post BC......