Has anyone had any luck or tried EMDR? From what I've researched it seems like a good treatment for PTSD. I've brought the subject up to my fiance (he's 100% service-related disabled because of TBI & PTSD) but he's very reluctant to try it because he thinks it's some new-agey thing. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Shannon

Thanks for starting this topic thread.
We have discussed EMDR before and the topic was pruned. It is worthy of discussion. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)integrates elements of many effective psychotherapies in structured protocols, that are designed to maximize treatment effects. These include psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centered therapies.
How many have tried it? I do not know. I did discuss EMDR with one of our best psycholgists several yers ago. He thought is was an area well worth looking into.

Then I check and find: "Profile not found
16714557 is no longer a member of military.com"
Shame, one post and gone. If no discussion within 48 hours this topic will be deleted.

I am still here but finally updated my profile info & personalized my profile name. New profile name is futureMrsSpinner. Sorry about that, I thought it would just switch profile names.
Thanks,
Shannon

quote:

futureMrsSpinner

OK, try posting again. However welcome aboard!

We're just beginning to see research on EMDR emerging from VA and other institutions. For those who wish to take a look at the information about EMDR, check it out here.

I'm just starting to seek help for what I'm pretty sure is PTSD - EMDR sounds intriguing to me.

Is there any way to find out whether its offered at a particular VA or if the VA will fund private EMDR work locally if they don't offer it themselves?

I have bad reactions to many meds, and with MST in my background, mixed groups with male vets.. um... just not appealing to me right now.

For information about EMDR go here.

Have had my installation session and first two full sessions of EMDR and the results have been startling. For the first time in 20 years, I have slept through the night without a nightmare 8 out of the past 20 nights. I have two more sessions scheduled over the next 4 weeks and I am optimistic.

Startle response is somewhat lessened, but old security habits will likely never go away.

No flashbacks yet, but they have been irregular, so that remains to be seen...we'll see after 6 months.

This is all in conjunction with monthly counseling sessions and weekly support group with fellow combat vets.

Thus far, overall results are positive.

Dave, good to see Shannon got that cleared up, hope she keeps it going. I too checked her out the other night to find dead space......Jim

Don, hope all goes well with your treatment. I think I'll bring it up to my shrink the next visit. VA already turned me down for PTSD before, because "I am perfectly sane and have no residual problems from my accrued combat exposure.

Oh well, Pocahontas, you bring me good set chop sticks and you, me, we go now. We go eat many bowl Mongolian Slum Gullion, and drink many cup Saki. Clock go tic-toc, tic-toc, me go now. ......Hasta La Vista.....Jeeem

SinePariDonster glad to see that EMDR has helped you. I still haven't been able to talk my husband into trying it.

I hope it keeps working for you.

Shannon

The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs strongly recommend EMDR as one of four treatments for post- traumatic stress disorder in military and non-military populations. The treatment is one of several standard therapies being used by counselors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Read this article http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55482&archive=true

I've been being treated with EMDR for just over a month. Last week was my biggest breakthrough. I slept through the night, then to my amazement 5 nights without waking with bad dreams. Not that I haven't had any...just didn't wake up. My wife told me I started talking in my sleep and throwing fits while sleeping.

My Dr. was so thrilled she almost broke down. I guess the fits and talking in your sleep are a sign of EMDR working. I still have 5 scheduled threatments and am in no way fixed, but I feel the difference.

Caution: My Dr. said some offering the treatment are not proficient and it can have negative long term results. Do some research to ensure you don't get a rookie.

My .02

EMDR is a specific technique which has been around for a bit. It's important to not get hung up on trying to find this or that label to place on any any kind of a treatment.

Instead, it's best to keep an open mind, all work together and try to do our best to provide help. If we all do that, then we have done the best that we can do.

Unfortunately, there is NO 'Magic Bullet' in the treatment of the symptoms of PTSD. Anyone who believes that there is a such a thing ought to share it here. PTSD is a complex, devastating disorder and not one which is easily dismissed.

Thanks to all for your comments! Let's try to stay focused here on helping one another. If we do that, then we have done as much as anyone can do.