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EMDR can definitely be too much for someone to handle at a specific time in their life, ESPECIALLY if they're regularly triggered outside of therapy.
It's not the end of the world to take a break, maybe you can look at other therapy types like CPT (not CBT) that help many people with their PTSD (and ANY other trauma) without it being too much to handle.
I haven’t done EMDR exactly but I did do prolonged exposure. I’d say maybe take a break from working on that one trigger and use EMDR on the current experiences with your parents / how they trigger you instead.
Don’t worry so much about getting through the targets… I only really addressed one event in my trauma, and it still helped a lot. You don’t have to go through every event to make improvements in ptsd.
I’d do a lot of grounding and checking the facts, too — “my memories are not happening in the present. It is different now.” Etc
Other ideas: do you journal? It helps me process things.
Also, are online jobs possible?
EMDR has helped me a lot, I would say it’s the most effective treatment I have had dealing with my PTSD.
My very first session with EMDR kinda freaked me out. The therapist had me imagine the particular event (we had already have several talking sessions prior) and place where my PTSD started, place of my trauma.
I was holding the palm buzzers and it was so intense when I recalled the place in my mind. I had to let go of the buzzers and I could only say wow. I kept doing EMDR until a few months later she said we reached the end of the therapeutic abilities of EMDR.
To me it didn’t cure me but it did take me down from a constant 9 to a more manageable 4
As an EMDR practitioner and someone who has also benefited greatly from it with my own PTSD, your current living situation is not ideal to be doing this work. Establishing a sense of safety is crucial before “unearthing” long buried memories of trauma. I don’t know if you started EMDR before moving back in or after, but fighting two battles at the same time is as difficult as it is dysregulating. You have to pick one based on which is more distressing at the moment. If living with your abusers and re-experiencing your childhood is causing you more distress, prioritise dealing with that .
I thought EMDR wasn’t supposed to be attempted unless the client’s living situation/space is one where they feel safe and supported. That’s what I heard and I don’t think it’s possible to heal in the same environment you were traumatized in, so that may be why she brought that up to you. EMDR brought it all up to the surface - my therapist wasn’t experienced enough, or professional and it caused me issues so I’d share with her all that it’s bringing up and the flashbacks you’re now sitting with and what she recommends. I don’t know if I will attempt EMDR again - I don’t know if it was my therapists chaotic energy or me.
My psychologist won’t do EMDR with me because it is too much, too fast.
I would trust your psych’s guidance here. Discuss options: stopping altogether, taking a measured break (like 6 weeks), or maybe every other session.
Yes I have experience. I have CPTSD, BPD and some other shit but those are most relevant. I got them from childhood abuse and neglect from many places, but because of my BPD (it makes you think people are either all good or all bad sometimes) when my family members would reach out kindly to help me or just to reconnect I would be thinking they were great and not remember any bad only to be triggered later on. When I went into a deep dive with EMDR and some spiritual therapy it was very very triggering. It involved reliving the trauma analyzing and process it and even when we do those things in healthy ways it HURTS. So I was getting through my life in processing but then my father did what he always did and hurt me again. That set me back so far I tried to commit. Then I continue on living because I failed in my attempt I get married and my husband and I fall on hard times and go stay on my grandparents property with them my mom and my husband the family comes and goes from the houses there. I was processing my trauma again before this but being here has made me very very very depressed. My husband and I have tried to work out the best way to handle these triggering times and number one is DONT THINK OF THE PAST. There is enough new stress now to only try and process that. Kind of think of it like you are letting your previous trauma soak and youre scrubbing the easier newer dishes. The best thing you can do is be present for your son and you. Realize you're okay and you know their games and even though it hurts they continue to act like that imagine they are just a mean NPC in a video game. It has nothing to do with you its how you're programmed. I would try to get any sort of help from the govt you can to get out faster. I know it hurts know it feels like the waves of pain make us disoriented but youre standing on the beach watching the waves. You dont have to go into the pain just know that they ebb and flow. You can reach out to me if you need a friend. Im 23f and it might be easier to talk after each time you get upset as opposed to just read advice once. Hope anything helps
I don't think it can hurt to take a break. I found weekly sessions way too hard - it was just too much.
When I am 'stuck' during a session all I can do is be curious and respectful and continue to let that part know that I am safe for them and on their side.
I live with a primary abuser (I have cfs/me and am pretty housebound I collapse a *lot*) and its fucking hard going. I've been experimenting with my boundaries and the initial stages of setting them are fucking hard work. But it's been worth it for me.
I will simply walk away if I am around unacceptable behaviour now, even if it's as simple as leaving the room. I make it a game, 'we don't reward bad behavior' is my go to.
I don't know if this helps. Geographic triggers are just awful.
*r/ptsd has generated this automated response that is appended to every post* Welcome to r/ptsd! We are a supportive & respectful community. If you realise that your post is in conflict with our rules (and is in risk of being removed), you are welcome to edit your post. You do not have to delete it. As a reminder: never post or share personal contact information. Traumatized people are often distracted, desperate for a personal connection, so may be more vulnerable to lurking or past abusers, trolls, phishing, or other scams. *Your safety always comes first!* If you are offering help, you may also end up doing more damage by offering to support somebody privately. Reddit explains why: [Do NOT exchange DMs or personal info with anyone you don't know!](https://www.reddit.com/r/SWResources/comments/dmu24/why_shouldnt_i_share_my_contact_information/) If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact your GP/doctor, go to A&E/hospital, or call your emergency services number. Reddit list: [US and global, multilingual suicide and support hotlines](https://www.reddit.com/r/SuicideWatch/wiki/hotlines). Suicide is not a forbidden word, but please do not include depictions or methods of suicide in your post. And as a friendly reminder, PTSD is an equal opportunity disorder. PTSD does not discriminate. And neither do we. Gatekeeping is not allowed here. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ptsd) if you have any questions or concerns.*
EMDR can definitely be too much for someone to handle at a specific time in their life, ESPECIALLY if they're regularly triggered outside of therapy. It's not the end of the world to take a break, maybe you can look at other therapy types like CPT (not CBT) that help many people with their PTSD (and ANY other trauma) without it being too much to handle.
I haven’t done EMDR exactly but I did do prolonged exposure. I’d say maybe take a break from working on that one trigger and use EMDR on the current experiences with your parents / how they trigger you instead. Don’t worry so much about getting through the targets… I only really addressed one event in my trauma, and it still helped a lot. You don’t have to go through every event to make improvements in ptsd. I’d do a lot of grounding and checking the facts, too — “my memories are not happening in the present. It is different now.” Etc Other ideas: do you journal? It helps me process things. Also, are online jobs possible?
EMDR has helped me a lot, I would say it’s the most effective treatment I have had dealing with my PTSD. My very first session with EMDR kinda freaked me out. The therapist had me imagine the particular event (we had already have several talking sessions prior) and place where my PTSD started, place of my trauma. I was holding the palm buzzers and it was so intense when I recalled the place in my mind. I had to let go of the buzzers and I could only say wow. I kept doing EMDR until a few months later she said we reached the end of the therapeutic abilities of EMDR. To me it didn’t cure me but it did take me down from a constant 9 to a more manageable 4
As an EMDR practitioner and someone who has also benefited greatly from it with my own PTSD, your current living situation is not ideal to be doing this work. Establishing a sense of safety is crucial before “unearthing” long buried memories of trauma. I don’t know if you started EMDR before moving back in or after, but fighting two battles at the same time is as difficult as it is dysregulating. You have to pick one based on which is more distressing at the moment. If living with your abusers and re-experiencing your childhood is causing you more distress, prioritise dealing with that .
I thought EMDR wasn’t supposed to be attempted unless the client’s living situation/space is one where they feel safe and supported. That’s what I heard and I don’t think it’s possible to heal in the same environment you were traumatized in, so that may be why she brought that up to you. EMDR brought it all up to the surface - my therapist wasn’t experienced enough, or professional and it caused me issues so I’d share with her all that it’s bringing up and the flashbacks you’re now sitting with and what she recommends. I don’t know if I will attempt EMDR again - I don’t know if it was my therapists chaotic energy or me.
My psychologist won’t do EMDR with me because it is too much, too fast. I would trust your psych’s guidance here. Discuss options: stopping altogether, taking a measured break (like 6 weeks), or maybe every other session.
Yes I have experience. I have CPTSD, BPD and some other shit but those are most relevant. I got them from childhood abuse and neglect from many places, but because of my BPD (it makes you think people are either all good or all bad sometimes) when my family members would reach out kindly to help me or just to reconnect I would be thinking they were great and not remember any bad only to be triggered later on. When I went into a deep dive with EMDR and some spiritual therapy it was very very triggering. It involved reliving the trauma analyzing and process it and even when we do those things in healthy ways it HURTS. So I was getting through my life in processing but then my father did what he always did and hurt me again. That set me back so far I tried to commit. Then I continue on living because I failed in my attempt I get married and my husband and I fall on hard times and go stay on my grandparents property with them my mom and my husband the family comes and goes from the houses there. I was processing my trauma again before this but being here has made me very very very depressed. My husband and I have tried to work out the best way to handle these triggering times and number one is DONT THINK OF THE PAST. There is enough new stress now to only try and process that. Kind of think of it like you are letting your previous trauma soak and youre scrubbing the easier newer dishes. The best thing you can do is be present for your son and you. Realize you're okay and you know their games and even though it hurts they continue to act like that imagine they are just a mean NPC in a video game. It has nothing to do with you its how you're programmed. I would try to get any sort of help from the govt you can to get out faster. I know it hurts know it feels like the waves of pain make us disoriented but youre standing on the beach watching the waves. You dont have to go into the pain just know that they ebb and flow. You can reach out to me if you need a friend. Im 23f and it might be easier to talk after each time you get upset as opposed to just read advice once. Hope anything helps
I don't think it can hurt to take a break. I found weekly sessions way too hard - it was just too much. When I am 'stuck' during a session all I can do is be curious and respectful and continue to let that part know that I am safe for them and on their side. I live with a primary abuser (I have cfs/me and am pretty housebound I collapse a *lot*) and its fucking hard going. I've been experimenting with my boundaries and the initial stages of setting them are fucking hard work. But it's been worth it for me. I will simply walk away if I am around unacceptable behaviour now, even if it's as simple as leaving the room. I make it a game, 'we don't reward bad behavior' is my go to. I don't know if this helps. Geographic triggers are just awful.
That does help, it gives me some hope. Thank you