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Can EMDR work if there are no memories?
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (9)Comment receiving replies
Went through a similar background of sustained abuse, which for me started at age 5 - physical and sexual and verbal abuse - and I believed that I hadn’t formed memories of most of it. But when I started seeing a psychiatrist after an aborted suicidal event, I found through extensive therapy that I had formed the memories - but I deeply suppressed them. It has taken over 28 years of therapy with both a psychiatrist and a psychologist to reach those memories. It’s not a lot of fun to go through this recovery process, but it has helped me understand where my anxiety, depression and PTSD stems from. It also has granted me the permission to break all ties with my parents, for my own mental health.
Replies to "Went through a similar background of sustained abuse, which for me started at age 5 -..."
@mbixler It sounds like you’re on a path to wellness at a relatively young age. I’m 66 and just recently realized that most memories of my life have been suppressed — both good and bad. I don’t remember most of my childhood and even good memories (my kids birthdays) are not available.
I started my current therapy journey after being told my worsening tremors and anxiety jerking is due to my abused past. It’s weird, but I recently read that those of us with repressed memories generally don’t realize it. Part of that whole protective thing we have going on.
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@mbixler Thank you for the clarification. Memories do not disappear. They can be so deeply hidden and suppressed, as you've written, that a person can no longer access their long term memories. This is the big confusing part and puzzle about trauma. It lies buried in the mind and yet has an effect on a person's emotions and functioning. It takes a lot of stamina and courage to go through the process of reaching and reprocessing these memories as one does through intensive psychotherapy. EMDR is one of these methods. There are other methods and it's relevant to think about this. Ultimately, it's all about the therapeutic relationship you and your therapist establish together.
How are you feeling currently now that you have gone through this process and broke ties with your parents?