EMDR has been used as a popular treatment method for trauma for years. Its effectiveness has boosted its notoriety. Not only is it a great way to dive deeper into the trauma you’ve experienced, but an effective and safe way to overcome it by putting you in control.
But, the EMDR experience can be different for everyone. One reason some people are hesitant to try it is that they wonder what will happen if they can’t remember the trauma they’ve gone through.
First, understand that you’re not alone in that concern. If you can’t fully remember your trauma, EMDR can still likely work for you. Let’s dig into exactly how it works, and what you can expect if you can’t remember the details of your trauma but want to find freedom from its effects.
Fragments Are Fine
When you go through a traumatic experience, it’s normal for pieces of it to get “stuck” in your brain. You might remember things in fragments, rather than being able to recall an entire scene. You might even store those bits and pieces in unhealthy ways. That’s why some people who have been through trauma struggle with images, sounds, and even sensations, causing triggers that they aren’t able to fully understand.
EMDR can help you process those fragments, even when they don’t feel connected. Even if those “stuck” pieces of information aren’t fluid and you can’t piece them together, your therapist will work with you, bit by bit, to overcome each thought and replace it with a more positive one.
What If You Can’t Remember?
Fragments are one thing, but what if you can’t remember what happened in its entirety? What if you’re leaving out details or you’ve repressed those memories for so long that it’s nearly impossible to bring them back to the surface?
EMDR can still help. There have been many success stories that come from people who aren’t able to fully process their own memories. You don’t need detailed stories for EMDR to help. Instead, if you have at least a vague sense of the traumatic experience, it’s usually enough for the process to be effective.
Additionally, your therapist can help. They’re prepared for just about every possible situation. If you can’t remember your trauma, they might use things like images, smells, sounds, or even scenery to encourage a “negative” reaction associated with your trauma. It’s not necessarily an easy process to go through, but the more they can agitate your traumatic thoughts, the easier it will be to piece everything together and start the desensitization process.
What to Expect
You can still reap the benefits of EMDR, even if you can’t fully remember your trauma. The only real potential drawback is that it might take a bit longer. However, with time, you’ll be able to find relief from your symptoms. Even if you’ve been dealing with the lingering effects of trauma for years, EMDR can completely eliminate those symptoms or make them far less severe.
You’ll also develop a new mindset over time. As your therapist helps you piece together your trauma and remember more of it, you’ll be able to shift your perspective, feel more in control over your triggers, and learn more about yourself and what caused you to deal with such negative symptoms for years.
Don’t let fragmented memories keep you from getting the help you need. If you can’t fully remember your trauma, you should still consider EMDR. It might help to trigger your memories and create a fuller narrative in your mind. Most importantly, though, it will help you overcome that trauma and reprocess your memories in a positive way. Don’t hesitate to contact me for more information or to set up an appointment for EMDR Therapy.