My Own Personal Experience with EMDR

Many of you know that I have anxiety, and have worked really hard using therapy, yoga and meditation over the last 20 years to get to a place where I can manage it well, and it is no longer a disruption in my life. However, a few months ago, I started having panic attacks. I knew in those moments that the reaction I was having was not a normal reaction for the current situation. After some soul searching, meditation, and lots of journaling, I realized that there were still some memories and experiences from my past that were impacting me today. Talk therapy is amazing, and has done wonders for me. However, sometimes we have experiences when we’re younger that affect us deeply and are not fully resolved through talk therapy alone. I am trained in EMDR and did undergo some EMDR therapy during my training, but have never had extensive EMDR therapy. So, I decided it was time to give it a try.

Here are my reactions to EMDR so far:

1. Detachment from past uncomfortable memories

   After one session of EMDR I immediately noticed a detachment from uncomfortable memories. One of the most beneficial effects of EMDR is that it reduces your response to triggers of past memories and experiences that caused strong physical and emotional reactions. When I look back on the memories from the past that may have triggered anxiety and panic now, I notice that I don’t have any strong physical or emotional responses. Yeah! It’s working!

2. Increased positive beliefs about myself

   Another benefit of EMDR is that it reduces negative beliefs about self and increases the strength of positive beliefs about yourself. Because of these past experiences in my life, I had internalized negative beliefs about myself that were not true. After doing EMDR, I’ve noticed a reduction of those thoughts surfacing, and increased positive thoughts and feelings about myself.

3. New insights about past experiences

   Another thing I’ve noticed is that throughout the EMDR process I have had new insights about the experiences from my past. It’s allowed me to consider other perspectives, and has allowed me to see the events and those involved in a different light.

I still have a long way to go in my EMDR treatment, but so far it’s been very helpful. Stay well and healthy and reach out anytime!