Questions after 2 sessions

I recently began EMDR therapy. I did two sessions of history-taking and preparation with my therapist before doing the actual EMDR. So far we've done two complete EMDR sessions, and for a day or two afterward I've had some "good feelings," a sense of wholeness. But within a couple of days after each one, I find myself feeling worse, with lots of anxiety and hypersensitivity. I started therapy because of anxiety, depression, and marital problems, and I understand that bringing up some of my childhood issues may cause me to feel more sensitive to current things.

Part of my concern is that I'm bringing up alot of memories of feeling "weird," "damaged," and "different." These feelings began in childhood as a result of many different family traumas. After my sessions, I found myself even more prone to notice little oddities or behaviors in myself or my family (husband and two children), and to begin obsessing about them and thinking that we are weird, damaged, or different. I sometimes have hours of anxiety symptoms, including tight chest, numb and tingling arms, racing thoughts, etc.

My questions are these:

1. Is it unusual to feel more anxious or worried during the beginning of EMDR therapy? Is this related to processing my childhood traumas and fears?

2. Should I work on feeling stronger in myself through EMDR and associated therapy before tackling some of my marital difficulties (imbalance of power, some verbal abuse)? Or will I be unable to progress in therapy if I don't work out my present-day problems?

I know that you do not answer case-specific questions, but some general answers on these issues would be very helpful.

Thank you!

Lynda

Replies:

Re:Questions after 2 sessions, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe, PhD, 01/27/03 Re:Questions after 2 sessions, by Lynda, 01/27/03 Re:Questions after 2 sessions, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe, PhD, 01/27/03

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