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Francine Shapiro & EMDR therapy

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iwantmylifeback
iwantmylifeback

A close friend of mine has bought me a copy of "Getting Past Your Past" by Francine Shapiro ... It's regarding EMDR therapy - of which I have referred myself and have an assessment next week (18th Aug).

Any one here read this or anything around and have any thoughts, advice or experiences you could share? Good or bad.

Education is the best prevention..

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • keepgoing
    keepgoing iwantmylifeback

    Posted

    OK, I'll try again.  I had panic attacks for 28 years.  I didn't know why but thought I was just a nervous person. I tried CBT, medication and counselling but it wasn't until this year (a couple of months ago) that I saw a therapist for EMDR.  We had an initial consultation and then in the second session we realised what my trigger event had been in my past.  I then had two EMDR sessions and I feel as though my anxiety has totally gone.  I've still got a couple of stress issues but the panic has gone.  I can't quite believe it but I'd definitely tell everyone to have a go with EMDR.  It's the only thing that's worked for me.
    • iwantmylifeback
      iwantmylifeback keepgoing

      Posted

      My friend that got me the book has said along the lines of the same things. 

      I've had depression since childhood but only over the past 5 years has anxiety been a prominent trouble, too. I'm 26 years, but I never leave the house, I never socialise, I never do anything at the moment because I am perpetually in a state of fear and panic, it takes something so small to push me into full fight or flight mode (I run.. I always have)..

      Thank you for sharing your experience, I'm so relieved to hear the same thing from someone else - I'm so hopeful that this is going to be what saves me, what helps me to be the confident young lady I have the potential to be.. Oh, adrenaline rush just from the thought.

      I'm so anxious about the appointment, but I know in my heart that this is what it is going to take!

    • keepgoing
      keepgoing iwantmylifeback

      Posted

      If you click on my 'picture' it will take you to my profile and you will be able to see the address for my blog.  It will give you more detail about what happened for me.  I'm sure everyone is different but it might help.
  • AnonymousWoman
    AnonymousWoman iwantmylifeback

    Posted

    Sorry, never heard of it? What is EMDR therapy anyways? 

    Agirl x

    • keepgoing
      keepgoing AnonymousWoman

      Posted

      This is what the EMDR Association say:

      EMDR is an acronym for ‘Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing’. EMDR is a powerful psychological treatment method that was developed by an American clinical psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro, in the 1980s.Since then research has been conducted demonstrating its benefits in treating psychological trauma arising from experiences as diverse as war related experiences, childhood sexual and/or physical abuse or neglect, natural disaster, assault, surgical trauma, road traffic accidents and workplace accidents. Since its original development, EMDR is also increasingly used to help individuals with other issues and performance anxiety. EMDR has been found to be of benefit to children as well as adults.

      The therapist helps you to talk about things in your past and at the same time you do eye movements.  The therapist can use a range of things including moving their hands backwards and forward while you follow with your eyes, some use a light bar or others actually use vibrating paddles in your hands.

      In the same way that REM sleep helps your brain process your thoughts, the eye moments help process something that has become stuck.  For me it was getting beaten up at a school disco.  I thought I was OK about it until I started talking about it in therapy and then I realised that I wasn't and it was the root of my anxiety.  The EMDR helped me process this memory so that instead of reliving it, it just became another memory.  I haven't had another panic attack since having the therapy and I'd been having them for 28 years.

      It would take me forever to go into all the details and I would highly reocmmend getting the book iwantmylifeback mentions.

    • AnonymousWoman
      AnonymousWoman keepgoing

      Posted

      Wow sounds good. I think CBT has done the trick for me. I got repressed memories back and everything, just from talking. But it sounds like the EMDR is good too! Thanks!! It's always good to know new information to combat potential future anxiety!!!

      Agirl x

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