I had EMDR sessions back in 2019 after a friend recommended it for me for the same issues that she’d experienced during childhood with an alcoholic and abusive father. It worked! I recently recommended it to my daughter in law who had anxiety attacks when her childhood abuse memories were triggered- she’s doing much better now. I truly believe that EMDR works for many people, but one must be completely open to it working and set aside any doubts.
I had panic attacks from the age of 16, tried all sorts to get over it, Hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, western medicine, nothing really worked but learning to live with it, i spent 2 years without leaving my parents house, i got over it by 25 to 30 years old, since then ive got married and have a child. Unfortunately this last month ive fallen back to the original feelings and i nearly couldn't leave the house this morning. Ive just booked an EMDR therapist, i sure hope it works as i don't want to be a dad that misses out watching my daughter grow.
how are you doing now? You can also do self emdr with instructions. You had the feelings before and you build an amazing life like you said. Just like last time, you can handle it. Anxiety tries to creep back into our lives sometimes but we are stronger, we know we dont need to feed it. Anxiety can join you in living your life. Your thoughts are not who you are. You can handle it. Hope you doing well. After 2 years of agoraphobia i finally went to a party (still have it). But everytime i am so scared of the panic but never sometime bad happens. Anxiety tries to scam me every time haha. And ofcourse the party went wel. continue with your life cause its gonna go well :)
@@vincentolivieri4468 Thank you for your thoughtful reply, I really appreciate it! I'm super happy you made it to a party! That's massive! Use that to make yourself even stronger! I'm doing ok, still in the blip but I feel it's slowly getting better.
I've wanted to try EMDR, but it isn't something that is offered by my therapist. I've done some DIY alone at home, and while I didn't have permanent results, I found the short-term results intriguing enough to still be interested. I'm not sure how beneficial it would be for myself, as I've heard results are mixed for individuals with a history of complex trauma.
Stay tuned for next week, as a video is coming out about how to access EMDR (and I share a bit from someone who has complex trauma). I also do have a video on whether Self-Adminstered is a good idea: ua-cam.com/video/eEVXhPKGLf0/v-deo.html
I believe in EMDR as a very effective treatment, I had a few sessions in the past. Now I can't seem to find a,therapist in NY/NJ that offers it and take my insurance. If you have some recommendations please let me know. Thank you.😊
Barbara, do you know if this helps alleviate GAD and Panic? I tend to overthink things and I get stuck in stressful anxiety loops. The only way out is to completely engage my mind into something like work. It breaks the cycle. Otherwise, I feel like I’m going crazy, the longer I’m in the loop. A loop that feels like being stuck in a fight or flight state. To ever be in solitary confinement would be my worst nightmare. I can’t be alone too long with my thoughts
Hi Barbara. So is that "I'm trapped" core belief related to the feeling of being trapped in life circumstances as well or is that strictly about claustrophobia?
oh, many people can have a negative core belief of "I'm trapped" having nothing to do with claustrophobia. It might have been triggered by a feeling of powerlessness during difficult events, and can definitely be about life circumstances.
If you are having suicidal thoughts combined with depression, please reach out to a suicide hotline: 988, confidential services. If it is more of a thought that seems invasive with no intent, and somewhat repetitive, it could be a type of OCD sometimes called "pure O OCD". I don't have videos on this, but there are some videos on the topic. (This could be a looping "terrible" thought that the person would never act upon).
@@BarbaraHeffernan thank you so much for this answer. I had these "terrible" thoughts that don't match how I'm really feeling, more like an sticky song. Now I know what they are and how to address them, it's a huge relief.
I just found out this evening that there are AI "therapists" and AI lead EMDR therapy. I'll be taking this info into my session, but I thought it might make for an interesting and possibly important video for the future. I could see a lot of issues with seeking therapy from a computer, but with there being so many people in need, and not enough resources to meet that need, I think more people will be turning to these programs. I'm interested in what your view is.
As you were mentioning the types of anxiety that EMDR may not be as effective for, it triggered a question I often come back to about my own mental health and EMDR journey. I have SPOV (specific fear of vomiting) that I’ve experienced since young childhood. Many of the behaviors and thoughts I experience from the SPOV feel a lot like OCD. In your professional experience and opinion, is SPOV more aligned with an OCD-like protocol or is it well defined/treated within the realm of other specific phobias and anxiety disorders? Thank you!
So what about health anxiety from having mold exposure and even long haulers…I have been doing brain retraining but I have so many physical symptoms that it is crazy! Even CFS from all of this. Does EMDR help any of this?
This is a complex question. EMDR can help with health anxiety. It is of course normal to have some anxiety when you are struggling with health issues, but if the anxiety is excessive and non-productive, then the EMDR can help - it can be very tricky with health anxiety, because people have to be willing to acknowledge that some of the anxiety is excessive .. there may also be a trauma component to having gotten ill from mold or long covid, in which case EMDR can help... but as I said the answer to this is complex!
@@BarbaraHeffernan thank you SO MUCH! I am certainly aware of trauma from childhood and as an adult and definitely know the anxiety is excessive. It is like i sit back and watch my body do things I know it shouldn’t be. It’s like my body just does it on it’s own even though I keep telling myself I’m okay and I’m safe. I even have fear of standing up due to POTS symptoms but somedays I am able to do it easier than others. The anxiety for me comes from not knowing how my body is going to react from minute to minute but the underlying anxiety issue is causing a lot of the somatic symptoms at the same time (limbic system impairment). This is definitely complex as you said. 😕. I have both depression and anxiety from this.
Be great if everyone could afford it!!! Most therapists don’t even know about it and those are the people insurance covers. The good ones are out of pocket.
neuroplasiticity is the ability of the brain to change and new cells to form (and cells to die!) - and the change has been proven possible throughout out lifetime. That is the good news!
I can't find a therapist in my country that does EMDR (and that's not craaazy expensive). Do you think we can kinda practice EMDR on ourselves? Even if it's not as effective, I guess sth is better than nothing....🙁
Stay tuned for next week, as a video is coming out about how to access EMDR. I also do have a video on whether Self-Adminstered is a good idea: ua-cam.com/video/eEVXhPKGLf0/v-deo.html
Most emotions and most things upsetting us have a physical component. People really vary in how "connected" they are to it, however. Some people feel it overwhelmingly strongly, and others aren't aware of it at all. If you fall into the latter category, it might take a bit of patience and investigation. I talk about it in a few videos... I think this is one: ua-cam.com/video/enkUeaSwhic/v-deo.html or: ua-cam.com/video/dlMWq_K3VqU/v-deo.html
imo EMDR is pseudo-quackery (read up on some of its background). way over marketed. I have experienced EMDR, there was no magic breakthrough, just some vivid recollection of a couple of memories I perhaps didnt even realise I still had, and of course traumatic at that - supposedly now re-processed by EMDR. therapists love to have one-size-fits 'snake oil' goto (like these days cbt has become) that they feel satisfyingly powerful to tell others they can save them, and then they can then charge you at the end. virtual-emdr sounds like having a hug through zoom - what the heck! 21st century is wack! no doubting your body holds the score and traps the trauma, etc but some peoples' lives are being retraumatised everyday and paying for emdr doesn't shift that. maybe it benefits the therapist, as another income stream, another idea 'we could try on this' beside the questionable use of SSRIs. I think there will be a new fad in 5 years time that will be marketed for profit because we live in a capitalist society, but I don't know what it will be called yet. Although 'tapping' is doing the rounds a bit at the moment and we had reiki in fashion a few years ago.
Well I had no idea what it was and tapping was used when I was extremely upset about thoughts that kept coming back, after tapping I have never felt those feelings when thinking of my experience again
I had EMDR sessions back in 2019 after a friend recommended it for me for the same issues that she’d experienced during childhood with an alcoholic and abusive father. It worked! I recently recommended it to my daughter in law who had anxiety attacks when her childhood abuse memories were triggered- she’s doing much better now. I truly believe that EMDR works for many people, but one must be completely open to it working and set aside any doubts.
I had panic attacks from the age of 16, tried all sorts to get over it, Hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, western medicine, nothing really worked but learning to live with it, i spent 2 years without leaving my parents house, i got over it by 25 to 30 years old, since then ive got married and have a child.
Unfortunately this last month ive fallen back to the original feelings and i nearly couldn't leave the house this morning. Ive just booked an EMDR therapist, i sure hope it works as i don't want to be a dad that misses out watching my daughter grow.
how are you doing now? You can also do self emdr with instructions.
You had the feelings before and you build an amazing life like you said. Just like last time, you can handle it. Anxiety tries to creep back into our lives sometimes but we are stronger, we know we dont need to feed it. Anxiety can join you in living your life. Your thoughts are not who you are. You can handle it.
Hope you doing well.
After 2 years of agoraphobia i finally went to a party (still have it). But everytime i am so scared of the panic but never sometime bad happens. Anxiety tries to scam me every time haha. And ofcourse the party went wel.
continue with your life cause its gonna go well :)
@@vincentolivieri4468 Thank you for your thoughtful reply, I really appreciate it! I'm super happy you made it to a party! That's massive! Use that to make yourself even stronger!
I'm doing ok, still in the blip but I feel it's slowly getting better.
@@Flip5ide good to hear you are doing better. Inside of you ,you got the confidence from earlier when anxiety was more active in your life
@@vincentolivieri4468 yeah we know we can beat it but like you say it tricks you and it can have a massive voice.
@@Flip5ide absolutely right. Our confidence needs to be bigger than the scary voice than the subconscious will adapt
I just noticed the links you provide
Thank you so much. Blessings 😊
You are so welcome! Hope it is helpful!
I've wanted to try EMDR, but it isn't something that is offered by my therapist. I've done some DIY alone at home, and while I didn't have permanent results, I found the short-term results intriguing enough to still be interested. I'm not sure how beneficial it would be for myself, as I've heard results are mixed for individuals with a history of complex trauma.
Stay tuned for next week, as a video is coming out about how to access EMDR (and I share a bit from someone who has complex trauma). I also do have a video on whether Self-Adminstered is a good idea: ua-cam.com/video/eEVXhPKGLf0/v-deo.html
I believe in EMDR as a very effective treatment, I had a few sessions in the past. Now I can't seem to find a,therapist in NY/NJ that offers it and take my insurance. If you have some recommendations please let me know. Thank you.😊
Thanks for posting
I've tried this doesn't seem to work for very long.
Did it work short term?
Barbara, do you know if this helps alleviate GAD and Panic? I tend to overthink things and I get stuck in stressful anxiety loops. The only way out is to completely engage my mind into something like work. It breaks the cycle. Otherwise, I feel like I’m going crazy, the longer I’m in the loop. A loop that feels like being stuck in a fight or flight state. To ever be in solitary confinement would be my worst nightmare. I can’t be alone too long with my thoughts
I don't know much about it, but, I've heard several people say it has helped them.
My first anxiety attack was when I was in fourth grade! UGH...
What about if finances cause your anxiety? I am broke
Hi Barbara. So is that "I'm trapped" core belief related to the feeling of being trapped in life circumstances as well or is that strictly about claustrophobia?
oh, many people can have a negative core belief of "I'm trapped" having nothing to do with claustrophobia. It might have been triggered by a feeling of powerlessness during difficult events, and can definitely be about life circumstances.
@@BarbaraHeffernan Do you have videos on this topic? or do you mind making a video specifically about this "I'm trapped" core belief?
Do you have any tips if you I have dark/dangerous thoughts? Such as suicidal thoughts
If you are having suicidal thoughts combined with depression, please reach out to a suicide hotline: 988, confidential services. If it is more of a thought that seems invasive with no intent, and somewhat repetitive, it could be a type of OCD sometimes called "pure O OCD". I don't have videos on this, but there are some videos on the topic. (This could be a looping "terrible" thought that the person would never act upon).
@@BarbaraHeffernan thank you so much for this answer. I had these "terrible" thoughts that don't match how I'm really feeling, more like an sticky song. Now I know what they are and how to address them, it's a huge relief.
I just found out this evening that there are AI "therapists" and AI lead EMDR therapy. I'll be taking this info into my session, but I thought it might make for an interesting and possibly important video for the future. I could see a lot of issues with seeking therapy from a computer, but with there being so many people in need, and not enough resources to meet that need, I think more people will be turning to these programs. I'm interested in what your view is.
Which one?
As you were mentioning the types of anxiety that EMDR may not be as effective for, it triggered a question I often come back to about my own mental health and EMDR journey. I have SPOV (specific fear of vomiting) that I’ve experienced since young childhood. Many of the behaviors and thoughts I experience from the SPOV feel a lot like OCD. In your professional experience and opinion, is SPOV more aligned with an OCD-like protocol or is it well defined/treated within the realm of other specific phobias and anxiety disorders? Thank you!
Ah, emetophobia. It is aligned with other phobias. I do think emdr can help with this.
So what about health anxiety from having mold exposure and even long haulers…I have been doing brain retraining but I have so many physical symptoms that it is crazy! Even CFS from all of this. Does EMDR help any of this?
This is a complex question. EMDR can help with health anxiety. It is of course normal to have some anxiety when you are struggling with health issues, but if the anxiety is excessive and non-productive, then the EMDR can help - it can be very tricky with health anxiety, because people have to be willing to acknowledge that some of the anxiety is excessive .. there may also be a trauma component to having gotten ill from mold or long covid, in which case EMDR can help... but as I said the answer to this is complex!
@@BarbaraHeffernan thank you SO MUCH! I am certainly aware of trauma from childhood and as an adult and definitely know the anxiety is excessive. It is like i sit back and watch my body do things I know it shouldn’t be. It’s like my body just does it on it’s own even though I keep telling myself I’m okay and I’m safe. I even have fear of standing up due to POTS symptoms but somedays I am able to do it easier than others. The anxiety for me comes from not knowing how my body is going to react from minute to minute but the underlying anxiety issue is causing a lot of the somatic symptoms at the same time (limbic system impairment). This is definitely complex as you said. 😕. I have both depression and anxiety from this.
Be great if everyone could afford it!!! Most therapists don’t even know about it and those are the people insurance covers. The good ones are out of pocket.
Does it really cure anxiety?
It sounds good...but..the cause are,braincells missing..and to me it is unsure if braincells can grow * again*,or recover ...
neuroplasiticity is the ability of the brain to change and new cells to form (and cells to die!) - and the change has been proven possible throughout out lifetime. That is the good news!
Read about Emilia Clark. Parts of her brain died, but it adapted and she lives just fine. Our brain is well engineered and resilient.
I can't find a therapist in my country that does EMDR (and that's not craaazy expensive). Do you think we can kinda practice EMDR on ourselves? Even if it's not as effective, I guess sth is better than nothing....🙁
Stay tuned for next week, as a video is coming out about how to access EMDR. I also do have a video on whether Self-Adminstered is a good idea: ua-cam.com/video/eEVXhPKGLf0/v-deo.html
It doesn't. Make mine much worse. Please be careful. My anxiety has never been so bad, and I blame EMDR.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you.
What do you mean by "where do you feel it in your body"
Most emotions and most things upsetting us have a physical component. People really vary in how "connected" they are to it, however. Some people feel it overwhelmingly strongly, and others aren't aware of it at all. If you fall into the latter category, it might take a bit of patience and investigation. I talk about it in a few videos... I think this is one:
ua-cam.com/video/enkUeaSwhic/v-deo.html
or: ua-cam.com/video/dlMWq_K3VqU/v-deo.html
i suffer with chronic fear and i always feel it in my hips! It always comes on when i feel fear. I think she is referring to that.
Do you offer online FTF sessions??
imo EMDR is pseudo-quackery (read up on some of its background). way over marketed. I have experienced EMDR, there was no magic breakthrough, just some vivid recollection of a couple of memories I perhaps didnt even realise I still had, and of course traumatic at that - supposedly now re-processed by EMDR. therapists love to have one-size-fits 'snake oil' goto (like these days cbt has become) that they feel satisfyingly powerful to tell others they can save them, and then they can then charge you at the end. virtual-emdr sounds like having a hug through zoom - what the heck! 21st century is wack! no doubting your body holds the score and traps the trauma, etc but some peoples' lives are being retraumatised everyday and paying for emdr doesn't shift that. maybe it benefits the therapist, as another income stream, another idea 'we could try on this' beside the questionable use of SSRIs. I think there will be a new fad in 5 years time that will be marketed for profit because we live in a capitalist society, but I don't know what it will be called yet. Although 'tapping' is doing the rounds a bit at the moment and we had reiki in fashion a few years ago.
Well I had no idea what it was and tapping was used when I was extremely upset about thoughts that kept coming back, after tapping I have never felt those feelings when thinking of my experience again
fb - I'm about to start this type of therapy. I was already apprehensive. Now, even more. Thinking hawk tuah would help me relax more.
What's the difference between emdr and art?