EMDR

I know this is not exactly the right thread for this topic but I didn't know where else to put it.

For over 20 years I have CHS (chronic hyperventilation syndrome). I have tried almost everything to get 'cured' from this, including meditation, yoga, aura cleansing... you name it and I probably tried it.

So last week I had a meeting with a psychologist, my house md refered me to this guy.
He works with a technique called "EMDR" (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). He says it can help me and lessen the attacks with 90-95%.... and get this: "in ONLY 15 sessions" (is he for real???)
There aren't much psychologists that work with this in my country and it seems to have been originated in the US.

But from what I read about it on the Internet, EMDR is still considered a pseudo-science and it's not proven to be effective. So for all I know this could give as much result as other kinds of mumbo jumbo out there..... none!

On the other hand, the technique seems similar , on some levels, to NLP or mindfulness
(have these proven to be effective? And if it's comparable, then isn't this some kind of mind-reprogramming aka brainwashing?? Not sure If I'm up for something like that)

So I was hoping that some people here have experience with it or know someone who tried it?
15 sessions would cost me about 610 euro....
I agreed to start the first session on thursday next week, but I'm not sure yet if I'm going to continue after that.

thanks

Do NOT do it! Its about as effective as magnet therapy(look it up) It is a pseudo-science you called it right. Go to a local community college and ask to speak to a psychology professor. They may be able to give you much needed experienced information. Good luck
breathingwise.blogspot.com...

The aim of treatment is to restore chronically low levels of carbon dioxide and to prevent them getting low during times of stress. This may mean a complete overhaul of your breathing pattern. I have mentioned in earlier postings that many people who hyperventilate breathe using their upper chest muscles instead of their diaphragm. This is very inefficient and ultimately becomes tiring and painful as the rib cage is a heavy thing for small muscles of the chest to be hauling up and down several thousand times a day. You owe it to yourself to learn not to do it! So that's one thing - learn how to breathe with the diaphragm. And for all of you A-type personalities, this includes during those times when you're screaming at your stock broker or traffic has made you late for the meeting. We are not talking about Zen meditation sessions where you lie back and practice diaphragmatic breathing for 20 minutes, we mean learning how to do this 24/7.

I know the location of the eyes does indeed cause a reaction within our brains - everything from accessing memory to making up a story.

I find it hightly plausable that eye location & movements could effect body function and instabilities; especially when it might be mental.

If it can possibly help you from 90-95%, I say why haven't you tried already? If it works that good then keep with it. Even anxiety medication can't do so well of a job against panic attacks or anxiety attacks.


I know I'd be willing to try anything to rid my anxiety 90% of the time - I'd even settle for 40%.

God Bless & Merry Christmas.

reply to post by AllUrChips


You can not say this for certain. This is a newer study - and can't be completly dismissed yet.

reply to post by GypsK


HI!Just wanted to tell you that my wife is doing the EMDR depression and it really seems to be helping her.It is really interesting exactly how it works and we would be interested in following your progress..Thanks

Originally posted by MentorsRiddle
reply to post by AllUrChips

 

You can not say this for certain. This is a newer study - and can't be completly dismissed yet.

Do you know this is a breathing disorder? Judging by your post I would say you do not.

what it is, what causes it, how to find a breathing disorders specialist and so on.

At least know what your talking about before you try discrediting somebodies advice, just sayin

Yes it can work, but you will need to practice it at home too.

I am well aware of that.

If you will read my post I said that the location of the eyes can effect body function. That covers breathing disorders. And since all things are controlled from the brain.... I think my post speaks for it's self.

reply to post by MentorsRiddle


Oh I think you misread my OP, I haven't started the emdr sessions yet, I'm scheduled to start next week... but I'm having doubts about it's effectivness (especially because it's so expensive).

In the first session we just talked about how there is always a reason for why the first hyperventilation attack/ panic attack happens. After a while you forget the reason and the attacks continue to go on for years.
Emdr should help find the original reason and turn the effects of it around (something like that)

I read as much positive as negative comments about it on the net.... somehow that's not convincing enough

reply to post by MentorsRiddle


O K what ever ya say
Second line.

reply to post by AllUrChips


CHV is not exactly a breathing disorder.

it's the body that continuesly goes in 'fight or flight' mode (like while having a panic attack) and causes a lot of harmless but scary side effects in the body because of the overbreathing (change in O2 and CO2 levels in the blood)
it's a psychological condition with physical symptoms, not a physical illness...

reply to post by earthship35


May I ask how many sessions your wife had ?
And how much progress she made so far? I've read about people who said to felt change after just one or two sessions.... personally I don't understand how that is possible at all

either way, I'm glad for you wife that she is doing better

I did mis-read your post. But I went back and corrected myself after I wrote my origional post. I was hoping that you wouldn't see the misworded post before I corrected it, haha.

I hope things get better for you.

I've found that with me most of my anxiety - panic atacks are caused from me trying to controll everything in my life - even down to the small things.

I've had to let things go, and mentally try to be care free. It's a daunting task. lol

I wish you well in your endevours.

I'd give it a try though. If it doesn't work then it doesn't. But at least you won't have the have the question of "What if" lingering in your head.

What works for some will not work with others - maybe it will work with you.

reply to post by GypsK


I will check with her but i think she has had 5 or 6 so far.I am actually thinking of trying it when she is done.The lady who is doing it says that 10 to 12 sessions is usually all it takes..

reply to post by MentorsRiddle


hehe yeah I saw you corrected it ;p

yes, control is a keyword here I guess, it's the same with me. I'm a control freak and when I can't keep in control for a sec I have an attack. After more then 20 years I'm done with it.
Last week I made the desicion to change things for real now: stop the attacks and start to live without fear.

I'll see how the first session goes though

Originally posted by earthship35
reply to post by GypsK

 

I will check with her but i think she has had 5 or 6 so far.I am actually thinking of trying it when she is done.The lady who is doing it says that 10 to 12 sessions is usually all it takes..

thanks

well, if the guy is making wild claims, he should back it up. pay half up front, and the rest if you're satisfied with the results.

someone who is serious and professional would have no problem with that arrangement.

reply to post by GypsK


It appears it IS a respiratory disorder. Maybe you were misdiagnosed. Or improperly informed as to your own affliction.

is a respiratory disorder, psychologically or physiologically based, involving breathing too deeply or too rapidly (hyperventilation). HVS may present with chest pain and a tingling sensation in the fingertips and around the mouth (paresthesia) and may accompany a panic attack.

Update:

I had my first EMDR session today (combined with HAT) and so far it's been a positive experience.

before the session I suddenly had a rather bad HV attack, which I think the doc triggered on purpose (he was asking a lot of questions and fishing for emotional responses). The attack was worse then what I usualy get.
We imediately started with a HAT session (heart assisted therapy) and the strenght of the attack became lesser almost right away and was completely gone within two minutes. I never got over a panic attack in two min!
Then we went on with the emdr, which is basically a series of positive comfirmations while the attention shifts from left to right and back
(still not sure what the purpose of that is but as I understand it, it has got something to do with making new connections in the brain and the left-right attention speeds it up)

Anyway, the doc proved to me today that my attacks are indeed pure psychological and the physical discomforts are merely symptoms. Just realizing that and actually believing it is a big step.
The therapy is a bit agressive but so far I have a good feeling about it and no negative emotions or depression afterwards, as so many people repport on the Internet.

If the mind can break it, the mind can fix it!
fingers crossed for next weeks session