If you have complaints after an EMDR session, always discuss this with your therapist. He or she can then take this into account in further therapy. EMDR therapy can also be adjusted or possibly temporarily interrupted to ensure that you have sufficient rest between sessions. Especially when you are trying to overcome a serious trauma or a deep depression, this takes time. It is unrealistic to think that after 2 or 3 sessions you will go through life whistling again. Sometimes it takes several months of therapy for you to be able to function again.

Should I stop doing EMDR if it causes me discomfort?

A first EMDR session can be very intense. It would be a shame to stop immediately, especially since several sessions are usually needed to achieve results. If the discomfort is really serious, always discuss it with your therapist. If you do not, he or she will not be able to respond and the therapy may have to be adjusted. This can make your situation worse, and that is of course not the intention of therapy. After all, EMDR is meant to support recovery.

You should always go to a certified therapist for EMDR therapy

To avoid discomfort after EMDR therapy, it is very important to have this therapy done only by a certified therapist. After all, he or she knows what he or she is doing and is trained in the use of EMDR. If you experience physical complaints after the treatment or if the complaints for which you are being treated worsen, your therapist should be able to respond adequately by adjusting the therapy or scheduling an extra session. In any case, always discuss complaints with your therapist so that they can be treated appropriately. If you do not do this, there is a risk that the therapy will fail completely. This is not only frustrating, but can also have unpleasant side effects.

Worsening of symptoms after EMDR

Someone who goes into therapy often has not only psychological, but also physical complaints. These are often related to the problem. Think of sleeplessness leading to concentration problems, problems with the motor system or long-term headaches. After an EMDR session, it may happen that these complaints get worse. If all goes well, this is only temporary. This has to do with the sometimes strong emotions that surface when you go into therapy and with possible problems from the past that you have suppressed but not properly processed.

Fatigue after an EMDR session

Tiredness after an EMDR session is completely normal. This does not only happen after an EMDR session, but can also happen after a deep conversation with your therapist. During these sessions, things are often discussed that are intense or painful, and then it is only natural that when you get home, you collapse and only want to hang out on the couch or sleep. That is not a problem, it is best to just go with it. Sleep gives your body the chance to process what has happened, both physically and mentally.