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deer
USA
30 Posts |
 Posted - 12/15/2004 : 11:02:39
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| Does anyone know if it is helpful to use hypnosis or EMDR to retrieve repressed memories from childhood.I recall Dr. Sarno saying in his lecture that in thirty years, he has only seen one person able to make their repressed emotions become concious (reffering to Helen). If it so hard to make the repressed emotions become concious,then what is the point in going to a psychanalyst,isn't it just better to undergo hypnotherapy or EMDR ?Why doesn't Sarno mention anything about using hypnosis and EMDR? Thanks |
Edited by - deer on 12/19/2004 23:29:23 |
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polly
127 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 09:58:22
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Deer,
I would be very carefull with EMDR. I did a few sessions of it a number of years ago. It was recommended by a marriage counselor that my husband and I were going to. You need to be very sure that it is someone certified in EMDR. You can get a list of people in your area if you google it, I think.
I will tell you that the first few sessions were amazing. I stopped becuase it caused more pain than it was healing. It can really rip you open. This was pre-Sarno, so I don't know how I would react now. I don't think I would do it again. It's like tapping into your emotional traumas with a bulldozer.
Good luck,
Polly |
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 10:21:16
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It seems like EMDR would be helpful in getting in touch with repressed emotions but, Polly, you've kind of scared me so maybe I won't try it. Someone loaned me the book by the doctor (I think her name is Francine Shapiro???) and they thought it would be helpful for me. I have a history of childhood abuse (verbal, emotional, and sexual) and am a classic TMS patient. I thought that if I tapped into those repressed emotions it might make me get better and might also help with my irrational fears and phobias. There is a doctor who does EMDR here in L.A. and I have thought about calling her. Maybe on second thought I won't!
Laura
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polly
127 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 11:01:43
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Laura,
I totally realte to the trauma you're describing. It might just be me. I got freaked out from it. This was also before Sarno and I knew what hidden rage could do. I'd spent a lifetime surpressing those feelings and they just came out too fast.
I don't want to totally steer you away. Perhaps you should speak to the doctor there and ask about it. I don't know how I would react now, but I've spent a year prying those doors open so I could let those feelings surface and get dealt with. I think were talking about the same thing and they are powerfull emotions.
You are so brave to want to do this. For me, it was better done gently. I have spent and will spend my life trying to feel safe. That's what the fears and phobias are.
Polly
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 11:38:44
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Polly,
I'm just getting plain "tired" of living like this so I think that at some point I have no choice but to address these deep seated issues residing within my subconscious. For example, I'm highly claustrophobic. I avoid the elevator at all cost, have a hard time with MRI machines, and while my family enjoys all the rides at amusement parks I sit alone on the bench waiting for them. It sucks! Ever since I had a severe panic attack 17 years ago while taking cold medication (and drinking too much coffee) I'm afraid to take anything. I feel like I am disabled. Recently I had to go to the eye doctor and I was so worried they were going to dilate my eyes because I get freaked out by that. I think when you have a childhood where you need to be afraid, you grow up thinking everything is scary and the world is unsafe. This is really hard when you are a mother and have to put on a front for your children like you are really brave.
A few years back when I had to undergo a lumpectomy to rule out breast cancer, I was so afraid of being drugged during the proceedure that I asked to be awake and given a local. This was unheard of but the doctor and anestheisiologist (spelling?) finally agreed. They said "take the drugs -- you're missing the best buzz of your life." But, I don't want to be buzzed because to me that means I am not in control. Obviously, none of us have any control (look at 911) but I'm always trying to excercise what little control I do have.
My 15 year old daughter, who until this point has been a straight A student and a "dream" child, just had a situation where she caved to peer pressure (they skipped a whole day of school!) That really threw me for a loop because here I thought I had everything at home under control and I obviously do not. My husband is leaving a job of 20 years for a job where his income could be sporadic. That scares me and also makes me feel helpless! My "best" friend has zero time for me and makes me feel like I am lucky if she gives me a phone call every so often. I feel I have to do all of the work to keep the friendship alive and have therefore decided it is no longer worth it. All these things make me feel so helpless sometimes. Then I wonder why my body hurts in so many places and why I feel so anxious I can't sleep at night.
Sorry for rambling. It's like a can of worms. Once you open it, all the garbage just starts flowing out. I will take your advice as far as the EMDR. I'll approach it with caution and see what happens. Thanks for your advice!
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deer
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 11:50:22
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Laura and Polly, I don't understand why you are so nervous about EMDR.Isn't it supposed to be painful when you uncover repressed emotions? What is the worst thing that can happen to you if you do it too fast ?
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Edited by - deer on 12/16/2004 12:08:01 |
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polly
127 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 13:15:12
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Laura,
I'm glad you wrote it all down. It helps to do that and you should do it whenever you want.
Keep the can of worms open and spilling. Leave the lid where you can't find it. You have to keep telling yourself you don't deserve to feel like this. Control is a big issue for me as well. I'm not big on forums. This and The Survivors Forum are the only 2 I've ever been to. You might want to take a look at it.
It sounds like you're scared now. It's all in our fear and perception. You have a wonderful 15 yr. old. They all do that. She's testing. As far as always being perfect for them, you'll never do that. My son is 20 now. He's my best friend...now. He acted out in high school and I thought I was the perfect Mom. It's not about you, it's about them finding their way. Your husbands job might end up being the best thing that ever happened. With all my nutsiness, I never lost the belief that everything happens for a reason. I'm finishing up one of the worst years of my life. The good news is that I get to keep trying and it's the middle of December.
Keep searching. We own all the answers to everything we'll ever need. You have to know that too on some level. You got here, and that's a big part of dealing with TMS, me thinks.
To Deer,
I'm only talking about my experience with EMDR in relation to something Laura (and Helen in MBP) and I had happen to us as children. I thought EMDR sounded great and I tried it. I have had more success in being gentle with suspressed memories and understanding the impact it still has on me.
Polly
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Fox
USA
496 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 14:34:50
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| A few months ago, I did some extensive research on the net about EMDR. I remember that it was stated somewhere that EMDR was an evidence-based mental health therapeutic practice that produced successful outcomes for folks who had suffered childhood trauma. My cousin says that it has been very helpful for her (she has anxiety, etc., but no pain problems of which I am aware). Personally, the thought of rapid insight into the reasons for my current emotional/pain problems rather than lying on the couch for years with a Freudian psychoanalyst is rather appealing. |
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deer
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 18:43:21
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| Thanks for your replies. I would still like to know how psychotherapy will help me recall experiences from my childhood that I simply cannot remember.In addition, I am wondering about hypnosis. |
Edited by - deer on 12/16/2004 18:46:58 |
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polly
127 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 20:25:15
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Childhood trauma is not the only reason for TMS. I'm not understanding what you're trying to get at. I know I had a bad childhood, yet a lot of times I'll be in terrible pain from something my husband said or did a week ago. I tend to never get upset when something is happening. I'm a rock. Yet a few weeks later, I go to pieces...just as everything is settling down.
For me, I can look back and see patterns beginning when I was very young. However, I spent most of my life without any physical pain. I think it's more about how you process fear and anger.
My note that Sarno gave me says fear=anger=pain. I think I should frame that and put in on my desk. It's so true.
Polly |
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deer
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 21:19:32
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| Polly, When I spoke with Dr. Sarno we were able to conclude that my childhood experiences are contributing to TMS.We were able to identify that my parents way of dealing with me plays a great part.Nevertheless,Dr. Sarno told me that I need to work with a psychotherapist.Due to the fact that I cannot recall enough details from my childhood upringing, I am therefore confused a bit as to what psychotherapy will bring forth from my memory. |
Edited by - deer on 12/16/2004 21:22:04 |
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2004 : 22:58:13
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Deer,
I can understand your confusion. I'm not sure why it helps to recall painful experiences from childhood. But, if I were to guess I would think that by recalling those painful memories, you bring them into the forefront of your psyche. By doing so, it seems like TMS would no longer serve it's purpose. It is there to distract you from things that are too painful to think about. Well, once you find those painful things and think about them, it probably cannot distract you anymore.
For me personally, I believe my histrionic parents did not teach me very good coping skills. Therefore, I get upset over things easily, like traffic, rude comments made by others, things my kids or husband say, etc. I think if they had given me a solid start in life and taught me to be self-reliant and self-confident, I would not react to things the way I do. My mother suffered panic attacks throughout my entire life (this happened every single time her nose got stuffed up!) and I watched this behavior repeatedly throughout my childhood. She always told us scary things and made the world feel like it was a scary place. Now, as an adult, I get scared very easily about everything, be it speaking in public, going to a doctor appointment, having confrontations with other people. I'm not talking just the ordinary kind of scared but I'm talking knees shaking, you can barely speak scared. Luckily, I have not passed this down to my two daughters, who seem to have more confidence than I ever had and who seem almost fearless.
Perhaps Dr. Sarno can recommend a psychotherapist or you could try the EMDR. I know someone who saw the EMDR therapist I was thinking about seeing and she had amazing results. Best of luck in your decision!
Laura
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2004 : 07:21:37
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quote:
...Due to the fact that I cannot recall enough details from my childhood upringing, I am therefore confused a bit as to what psychotherapy will bring forth from my memory.
That's one thing that psychotherapy can do for you. Don't assume that those memories are gone. They may just be repressed. In any event, it is not essential to bring forth detailed memories. But through psychotherapy you should be able to bring forth some feelings that you experienced as a child, because they are the same feelings that are being repressed now and leading to TMS symptoms. |
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Connie
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 11:21:18
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quote:
Originally posted by deer
I would still like to know how psychotherapy will help me recall experiences from my childhood that I simply cannot remember.
Memories that are repressed are guarded because somehow we feel afraid to deal with the situation. When a person has a psychotherapist they feel they can trust, the guardedness naturally lessens. In the safety and support of the therapeutic relationship, memories can begin to surface.
It's not only the "bad" stuff that's remembered. I've often had vivid flashes where I see in memory details of my childhood surroundings and what it felt like to be there--almost as if I was there all over again. I can see the pattern on the floor, the wallpaper, the woodwork, hear the squeak of the screen door, feel the cool ground under my bare feet, etc. And along with whatever might be good or neutral about my memories, I've recognized that I was constantly surrounded by a fear of my father. It's that fear that is important for me to deal with. As Dave said, it's the feelings that matter. |
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pault
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2004 : 15:37:33
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| Laura/deer what do these fears turn into in the end? Can you describe what happens afterwards,or do they just pass away after a while,or is(the only thing you have to fear is:fear itself)apply? |
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2004 : 17:41:27
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PaulT,
For me, when I experience fearfulness in any given situation, I beat myself up for having felt afraid. Then, I compare myself to everyone else out there who I believe is "normal," like my husband, and think to myself that my childhood really sucked! I know my husband grew up in a nurturing, loving home with a mother who was very caring and very sweet. My parents' philosophy was "children should be seen and not heard." My mom was domineering and controlling (still is) and for whatever reason, I think plays a big part in creating fears in us as we become adults. If I were to have a panic attack, I would beat myself up afterward and feel really bad about it, like I'm different from everyone else and I'm crazy.
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pault
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2004 : 04:58:19
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| Laura , I used to ask myself that same question (why can't I be like everyone else)when I had panic attacks. Fortunatelly was able to discover the reasons for most of them (with a therapests help) and they stopped.I found that when they came on,was to tell myself that they were harmless and would pass and nothing would happen anyway.Just another form of tms I guess? Hope they pass for you! |
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2004 : 09:19:51
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Thanks, Paul. I do too. I think it is just another form of TMS because when I was really having them a lot it was all I occupied my mind with 24/7. Thanks for your encouraging words.
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hypnosis , EMDR, and psychotherapy
