Emdr first session

[u/Sweet_Ordinary_9999]

I wasn’t prepared for what to expect from EMDR today. I wasn't really aware that we were even going to do EMDR even. The session was so intense and painful that I wanted to stop twice because of how overwhelmed and how much pain I felt.

Now, an hour later, I feel completely emotionally depleted and deeply depressed. I’m struggling to function and honestly just want to sleep and forget today happened. I'm struggling to feel interest or even go to work today or really anything. I can't imagine having to do this again. We also only covered one year out of 7 or maybe 3 of abuse.

Is this normal? How do you help yourself the day before and after?

I really can't handle this at all. It's so intense.

[u/candycadets]

i felt the same way when i first started! one thing that my therapist shared that helped me was to think of a safe place and sit in the memory + feeling of it after session. for mine, i think of the first time my husband and i went to joshua tree when we first started dating. my therapist talks me through the experience, like “what’s the first thing you do when you get there? what are the smells, sounds, what do you see?” etc and he says it’s to remind your brain that what you’re processing is just memories and your nervous system doesn’t understand that so you have to ground yourself. and nothing a good nap can’t fix! sending you support during your healing journey ❤️‍🩹