EMDR for PTSD?

[MavisBeacon]

Two years ago I went through two very distressing situations in close succession - near death of my father from an infection when he spent weeks in ICU in a coma. And then a few months later nursing my mum to her death from a horrific cancer that literally ate her flesh (do not Google fungating tumours if you ever want to sleep again).
I now have what my therapist tells me is PTSD. Some things - people mentioning ICU or hospice, and especially seeing it on TV, or just mentions of things that trigger flashbacks of particular episodes that happened - leave me unable to breathe, feeling like someone is squeezing my head in a boiling hot vice, and just overwhelming intense sensation of distress.
It doesnt happen very often, maybe once a month, and sometimes I can stop myself from fully going into a total shutdown by deep breathing, walking out of the room etc . But it's still distressing and it's a bit of a problem, especially as I work in a medical-adjacent field where these kinds of themes come up regularly.

My therapist isn't a specialist in dealing with this, and has suggested I look into EMDR. Does anyone have experience with this for treating PTSD, recommendations or red flags when I'm looking for a therapist, advice, typical costs etc?

 

[Valentina]

Two years ago I went through two very distressing situations in close succession - near death of my father from an infection when he spent weeks in ICU in a coma. And then a few months later nursing my mum to her death from a horrific cancer that literally ate her flesh (do not Google fungating tumours if you ever want to sleep again).
I now have what my therapist tells me is PTSD. Some things - people mentioning ICU or hospice, and especially seeing it on TV, or just mentions of things that trigger flashbacks of particular episodes that happened - leave me unable to breathe, feeling like someone is squeezing my head in a boiling hot vice, and just overwhelming intense sensation of distress.
It doesnt happen very often, maybe once a month, and sometimes I can stop myself from fully going into a total shutdown by deep breathing, walking out of the room etc . But it's still distressing and it's a bit of a problem, especially as I work in a medical-adjacent field where these kinds of themes come up regularly.

My therapist isn't a specialist in dealing with this, and has suggested I look into EMDR. Does anyone have experience with this for treating PTSD, recommendations or red flags when I'm looking for a therapist, advice, typical costs etc?

I'm so sorry you have been through such a devastating series of events.

I know someone who has had therapy with MindBlocks, with very good results. If you google it you can find his page and have a read. It is a different approach to regular therapy and is not open ended so you will know the financial implication from the beginning. It isn't EMDR therapy though.

I hope you manage to find someone who can help.

 

[DaisyChain90]

So sorry for your experience. I looked into EMDR but was told I wasn't a candidate for it. I also was a carer for my Mam as she battled terminal cancer. Since she died I have been stuck in a constant disassociation/ personalization. I have found some success with BWRT. It is a relatively newer therapy that works on rewiring thoughts before your brain has the opportunity to process them. Wishing you all the best on your journey to recovery.

 

[MavisBeacon]

Thanks both.
@DaisyChain90 you have all my sympathy x

 

[Amylaauren]

So sorry you’ve gone through all of this. I am a few months into EMDR after a traumatic birth and I had PTSD symptoms. It has helped massively and I definitely recommend if you are able to access it, it’s been a game changer

 

[porkpiecat]

I am so sorry to read all that you have neem through 🫂
In answer to your question though. I have done EMDR, with 3 different practitioners (over a 20yr timeframe)
For me, it was about trying to process horrific childhood trauma- hence I've gone back more than once.

It is hard work, I won't try to sugarcoat it, it certainly was hard work for me. It can also in the moment feel all sorts of things come up, and for me there was quite a lot of distressing things- i would often leave the session, sit for 20mins in my van before I even thought abojt heading home!!

Each time I have done emdr I have self funded. But a decent practitioner will dicuss things with you, at length and go from there. You and they need to know you are a good 'fit'
They will let you know if they think this is something that may help you. All good ones should also be able to be honest and say thats outside mt area of expertise, then if they know anyone else, perhaps signpost you to them

Prices vary so much in private therapies, ive paid £20 a session up to £110 per session in regular talking therapy! EMDR practitioners can charge more its a very intensive treatment ro study, train in and use effectively

Some will offer a reduced/sliding scale, depending on the clients circumstances
For EMDR I've paid £130 a session (back in 2005)
The next time I was paying £55 a session (2008-2009)
The most recent in 2020 (very back end of year) I was paying £85 per session

Sorry that I've said a lot here.
But yes ot is a really useful way to process any trauma that you feel needs addressing.

Two years ago I went through two very distressing situations in close succession - near death of my father from an infection when he spent weeks in ICU in a coma. And then a few months later nursing my mum to her death from a horrific cancer that literally ate her flesh (do not Google fungating tumours if you ever want to sleep again).
I now have what my therapist tells me is PTSD. Some things - people mentioning ICU or hospice, and especially seeing it on TV, or just mentions of things that trigger flashbacks of particular episodes that happened - leave me unable to breathe, feeling like someone is squeezing my head in a boiling hot vice, and just overwhelming intense sensation of distress.
It doesnt happen very often, maybe once a month, and sometimes I can stop myself from fully going into a total shutdown by deep breathing, walking out of the room etc . But it's still distressing and it's a bit of a problem, especially as I work in a medical-adjacent field where these kinds of themes come up regularly.

My therapist isn't a specialist in dealing with this, and has suggested I look into EMDR. Does anyone have experience with this for treating PTSD, recommendations or red flags when I'm looking for a therapist, advice, typical costs etc?