Re:Flooding

Hi,

When there is flooding... more memories or increased communication between parts of self... the best thing to do is try to contain it. Try to get the walls back up, as you say.

I'd bet there is conflict internally on doing just that (reerecting walls). Perhaps parts want a chance to finally "speak". If that is the case, your friend can "tell" the parts that they will indeed have a chance to be heard, but that time is not "now". Your freind could promise to check in with the parts later (a promise she'd have to follow up on.) Incidentally, her therapist may already have tried this.

Your friend could try to do safe and calming things (tea, TV, etc). She could try to imagine or invent a safe place for each part that needs one. You can just sit with her -- and she can try to "just sit" with her parts. Again, one presumes a therapist would have discussed these possibilities with your friend, perhaps even prior to administering EMDR. In addition, a "safe place" specific to EMDR should exist for your friend to access.

Lastly, if your friend is in crisis, then the appropriate action, if her therapist is unable to help, is to consult a crisis hotline or emergency room.

(I'm not a clinician, I mean this as general advice, etc.)

Replies:

Re:Flooding, by NancyE, 10/04/03 Re:Flooding, by SandraPaulsen, 10/04/03

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