Warning Signs EMDR Therapy Might Be Re-Traumatizing You
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy can be a highly effective treatment for trauma. However, as with any therapeutic approach, there are potential risks involved, especially if the therapy is not conducted properly or if the client is not adequately prepared. While EMDR can lead to powerful breakthroughs in healing, in some cases, it may unintentionally re-traumatize individuals, leading to emotional or physical distress. In this post, we’ll explore five warning signs of EMDR retraumatization and what you can do if you experience them.
1. Overwhelming Emotions
Sign: During or after an EMDR session, you may feel intense emotions that seem disproportionate to the current experience. These emotions can range from extreme sadness or anger to feelings of shame, guilt, or fear. While processing trauma can bring up strong emotions, uncontrollable emotional flooding can signal that the therapy has triggered unresolved trauma or that the process is too overwhelming.
What to do: If you're experiencing overwhelming emotions, let your therapist know immediately. They may need to slow down the process or provide grounding techniques to help you manage these feelings. It's important that you're in a safe emotional space to process trauma, and your therapist should be aware if things are getting too intense.
2. Dissociation
Sign: Dissociation is a coping mechanism where a person feels detached from their body or reality. If you find yourself feeling “spaced out,” unable to recall what happened during a session, or feeling as though you're watching the session from outside your body, dissociation could indicate that your mind is attempting to protect itself from overwhelming trauma. In EMDR, this can sometimes occur if the trauma processing is too intense or is moving too quickly.
What to do: If dissociation occurs, it's crucial to stop the session and inform your therapist. Dissociation is a sign that your nervous system is overwhelmed, and continuing without addressing it may cause further distress. Your therapist may introduce grounding techniques or adjust the pace of the therapy to help you stay present.
3. Flashbacks
Sign: Flashbacks are vivid, involuntary recollections of a traumatic event that can feel as though you're reliving the experience. While flashbacks are common in trauma work, flashbacks triggered during EMDR therapy that feel more intense or uncontrollable can be a sign that the therapy is not being properly paced or that you may not be ready to process certain aspects of the trauma.
What to do: If flashbacks become intense or feel unsafe, it’s essential to stop the session and communicate with your therapist about what’s happening. It’s possible that your therapist needs to help you build more resilience or coping skills before diving deeper into certain traumatic memories. If flashbacks continue, seeking additional support from a trauma specialist or therapist with more experience in EMDR may be helpful.
4. Panic Attacks
Sign: Panic attacks can be a sign of extreme distress during EMDR therapy. You may feel a sudden rush of intense fear, chest pain, shortness of breath, or a racing heart. This is a clear indication that the therapy is triggering your body’s fight-or-flight response in a way that is not manageable. While some discomfort is expected in trauma work, panic attacks can suggest that the therapeutic approach is too intense or that emotional boundaries haven’t been properly set.
What to do: If you experience a panic attack during an EMDR session, stop immediately and inform your therapist. You may need a break, and the pace of therapy should be reassessed. It's important to work with a therapist who can help you ground yourself and manage your nervous system before proceeding further with trauma processing.
5. A Sudden Increase in Symptoms
Sign: If you notice a sudden worsening of your symptoms—such as increased anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, or feelings of being “stuck”—after starting EMDR therapy, this could indicate re-traumatization. Sometimes the intense processing of trauma memories can temporarily intensify symptoms before they get better. However, an exacerbation of symptoms that lasts beyond a few days or becomes more severe may mean that the therapy needs to be reassessed.
What to do: If your symptoms worsen significantly, it's important to speak with your therapist about what’s going on. It could be a sign that you need to take a break from EMDR or that the focus of the sessions needs to shift to more stabilizing techniques, such as grounding exercises, mindfulness practices, or somatic work. You may also want to consider seeking a second opinion from another mental health professional with expertise in trauma.
What To Do If You Recognize These Signs
If you experience any of the warning signs above, it’s important not to ignore them. EMDR therapy should feel like a safe, supportive process for healing trauma—not one that leaves you feeling more harmed or overwhelmed.
Here are a few steps you can take:
Stop the session and speak openly with your therapist about what you're experiencing.
Work on grounding techniques with your therapist to help you stay present and calm.
Consider pausing therapy to reassess your readiness for EMDR or to explore alternative approaches.
Seek additional support from a trauma specialist, particularly if your symptoms are worsening or if you're feeling unsafe.
Remember, it’s vital to have an open, communicative relationship with your therapist to ensure that you’re not retraumatizing yourself. Healing from trauma is a gradual process, and it’s okay to take a step back if the therapy feels too intense.
Conclusion
While EMDR therapy has the potential to be life-changing for many, it’s not without its risks. Recognizing the signs of re-traumatization in EMDR therapy can help you take the necessary steps to protect your mental health and ensure that your healing journey remains safe and supportive. By remaining aware of how you feel during and after your sessions, you can make informed decisions about your therapeutic process and ensure that you're receiving the care you deserve.