Some of you might be interested in this. This week I went for a 2nd appt with a therapist. At the first we decided we would be trying something called EMDR to help me with fear memories from my friend's bad riding accident. EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. She utilized a machine with a panel of horizontal lights. The lights would go on to the right and simultaneously I would hear a beep in my right ear through headphones. Then the lights would go left, etc. While this was happening I would think about the accident. She would periodically stop the lights and beeps and ask what came up in my thoughts. Sometimes she would ask pointed questions. At the start we rated my discomfort level when thinking of the accident from 1 -10. It was an 8 or 9. By the end it was a 2. I could still remember everything and think about it but felt MUCH less stress when doing so. Various helpful thoughts came to mind that I FELT, not just intellectualized, like I DID handle my horse in this difficult situation. I DID do what was necessary. etc.... I felt it very worthwhile and am thinking about whether to do a second session or not. The day after I went for a 9 mile trail ride with a friend! I was anxious at the start but then enjoyed it-the first time in quite some time. I'm sure you can look EMDR up on the web if interested. Something about alternating the hemispheres of the brain with the eye movement makes this thing work for some people. It is endorsed by the VA and Dept of Defense as well as Int'l organizations.
I have used this technique but when I was practising as a therapist we didn't have a machine just used a finger back and forth in front of the patient's eyes. It is a very good technique for traumatic memories. I tried it on myself following the accident but I think you really need a therapist. Like every other therapy it doesn't work for everyone but personally I have seen it have good results. ---------- Bitless - not witless!
