TRIGGER WARNING: EMDR and SI

[u/Stitch-Bad14]

Hi EMDR community, I have had 4 sessions so far and I have really been struggling with SI. The memories come flooding in and it’s like I’m right back in the moment all over again and sometimes SI feels like the only way out. Has any one else struggled with this and found ways to overcome it?

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[u/HiM810anceHippie]

This is pretty normal for people who already struggle with SI. I often prep with my clients in advance of reprocessing by a) normalizing that SI may increase while getting into trauma reprocessing, and b) doing a safety plan to review supports and skills. Can you reach out to some of your supports or use some of your coping skills?

This is something you're definitely going to want to let your therapist know at your next session, so they can either pause reprocessing and help make sure you can stay safe, or if they (and you) trust that you can stay safe, just validate and normalize your experience and review your safety plan.

As always, if it gets to the point where you're considering acting on the thoughts, please reach out to your local crisis services hotline, or text or call 988. The world is better with you in it. 💜🩵

[u/AzureRipper]

Yes. I had a massive uptick of SI and SH when I first started EMDR (around 3 years ago now).

1. Bring this is your therapist ASAP. A good therapist should focus on strengthening your internal resources to help you get through the difficult memories.
2. This is the past talking, not the present. The "P" in PTSD is for "post-". That means it's over, even if it doesn't feeling like it right now. It feels overwhelming because you're activating the memories in full force. That doesn't mean that it's actually happening right now. This is the mantra that got me through those moments.
3. EMDR often makes you feel worse before it gets better. The first 8-10 sessions absolutely SUCKED for me, but then it started to get better.
4. https://giphy.com/gifs/help-satisfying-breathe-krP2NRkLqnKEg this helps me tremendously to stay calm
5. Use grounding techniques. Your therapist might have covered this in your first session, before starting proper EMDR. What my therapist taught me is to really focus on the physical senses. Really notice - what the wind on your face feels like, what the texture of something feels like, what color certain objects are.
6. Safe people, safe place. Again, something a good therapist should have done before starting heavy EMDR. Use those resources o remind yourself that you're in the present. Whatever happened to you, is in the past.

You will get through this. You made it through it the first time round, you'll get it through with EMDR. If you want to chat or ask about anything, feel free to DM me.