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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by beatrix34 on June 4, 2004, at 11:17:55
Yesterday I went for an intensive double session of therapy with the main focus being on trying to move the memory of date rape at 16 from my trauma memory to my long term memory. I guess that the idea behind this is that it better enables a person to call up those memories as opposed to having them rush in at inopportune moments (ie when having intimate relations with my husband).
What we did was focus on the worst and most vivid feeling that came out of that episode and use a flashing light that moved from side to side to help evoke memories around that feeling...stopping periodically to discuss what I was feeling. During the course of the treatment I went through feelings of hurt, anger, fear, isolation, shame, etc. I was encouraged to feel these feelings as much or as little as they surfaced.
At the end of the session I told my 16 year old the things I would tell her as the adult that I now am, and then I told my abuser the things I wanted to say as well.
At the end of the session I felt peaceful, a little sad but that's all. I am hoping that this experience will help me heal from this incident that has stayed with me for many years and shaped many of the decisions I made as a young adult.
Has anyone done this sort of therapy before? Did it help? I would love to hear some other people's experiences if they are out there.
Thanks,
Bea
Posted by B2chica on June 4, 2004, at 14:22:57
In reply to moving trauma mem. to long term memory, posted by beatrix34 on June 4, 2004, at 11:17:55
Posted by justjustine on June 4, 2004, at 22:02:52
In reply to moving trauma mem. to long term memory, posted by beatrix34 on June 4, 2004, at 11:17:55
i haven't tried this, but have often read that talking about the trauma and processing it are key. i'm about to change to a new therapist, and i'm definitely going to bring this up - with or with out the light therapy.
i was assaulted and beat up pretty good by a guy about 8 years ago - it wasn't a boyfriend or a sexual assault - and it's been quite difficult to find the right therapy. and yes, it's still hard to talk about. congratulations on doing something for yourself! and for giving others like me hope. :)
Posted by Aphrodite on June 5, 2004, at 7:15:43
In reply to moving trauma mem. to long term memory, posted by beatrix34 on June 4, 2004, at 11:17:55
The technique you described sounds like EMDR. You may want to read Partlycloudy's recent post about it. I posted a rather long article about it on that thread that explains the mechanisms behind it.
Sounds like it worked for you. That must have been very difficult to relive.
Be well.
Posted by beatrix34 on June 5, 2004, at 12:06:05
In reply to sounds like EMDR » beatrix34, posted by Aphrodite on June 5, 2004, at 7:15:43
Read the article, it's a really good one, thanks a lot for that. It definitely was the EMDR technique that I experienced. It was very painful, but SO worth it. I appreciate your knowledge on this...thanks again for the article...it's fascinating.
Bea
> The technique you described sounds like EMDR. You may want to read Partlycloudy's recent post about it. I posted a rather long article about it on that thread that explains the mechanisms behind it.
>
> Sounds like it worked for you. That must have been very difficult to relive.
>
> Be well.
Posted by Aphrodite on June 5, 2004, at 12:54:37
In reply to Re: sounds like EMDR, posted by beatrix34 on June 5, 2004, at 12:06:05
There is A LOT of information on the web about EMDR -- some good, some not. Just put "EMDR" into a Google search if you want to know more. Good luck!
Posted by Beta on June 15, 2004, at 21:09:32
In reply to Re: sounds like EMDR » beatrix34, posted by Aphrodite on June 5, 2004, at 12:54:37
Posted by antigua on June 16, 2004, at 10:33:50
In reply to Any experiences with EMDR for Chronic PTSD? (nm), posted by Beta on June 15, 2004, at 21:09:32
Yes, I've posted about it before. Is there something specific you'd like to know? I'd be happy to answer anything that might help you.
antigua
Posted by Beta on June 17, 2004, at 17:26:29
In reply to Re: Any experiences with EMDR for Chronic PTSD? » Beta, posted by antigua on June 16, 2004, at 10:33:50
Thank you for your response.
I am interested in knowing how successful the procedure was, if it is long lasting and permanent? Are you actually re-experiencing the incident, and were the emotions it brought back extremely intense? Also, how much therapy did you recieve prior to the EMDR?
Any other insight you can provide would be extremely appreciated. I am trying to decide if this would be "good" for me.
Thanks again.
Posted by antigua on June 17, 2004, at 23:35:36
In reply to Re: EMDR for Chronic PTSD? antigua, posted by Beta on June 17, 2004, at 17:26:29
I've been in therapy for 14 years, and have been working on the PTSD in varying degrees for 10 yrs, I guess. I started EMDR last fall when I felt like I was stuck. I was so frustrated because I couldn't remember what happened and my therapist doesn't believe in hypnosis because she said I had to be ready to remember so I asked her if we could try this. She agreed.
My experience with EMDR has been good. I don't relive the events exactly, but I do feel how I felt back then, when I was a little girl, meaning I feel the sadness, lonliness, terror, etc. I actually do feel it, but there's also a detatchment to it as well because the T always brings me back to a safe place by the time we finish. It hasn't helped me remember exactly, but it has helped me to get in touch with the younger me, as much as that sounds like mumbo jumbo. It's true.
Yes, the feelings were intense, but I wouldn't say "extremely intense," at least not for me. I wish they were more intense in some ways because I hoped EMDR would help me get over "it." It doesn't work that way for me, but it has speeded up my therapy considerably.
I see my EMDR T one day and my regular T the next day, which works out really well. I think it's more than double the progress.
antigua
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