Admission: Yes, I am indeed in a funk, which is not the psychological term but it fits. When I pass people at the water cooler and they greet me with, “Hi E(ric). How are you?” I respond “Fine, thank you” and smile. Its a gift really. Besides, in my mind fine is a four-letter word so in a sense, I am being very honest.
Many of you have picked up on said funk in some recent posts, not the least of which was the sad poem I Long to Swing Once More.
My counselor is asking me to prayerfully consider EMDR therapy. Here’s the blurb from www.helpguide.org:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro. She made the chance observation that eye movements can reduce the intensity of the disturbing thoughts when she noticed her own stress reactions diminished when her eyes swept back and forth as she walked through a park one day. EMDR involves recalling a stressful past event and “reprogramming” the memory in the light of a positive, self-chosen belief, while using rapid eye movements to facilitate the process.
In my case the light of a positive, self-chosen belief is a given, even if it is actually God-given. Perhaps if I do submit to this therapy I will be able to write a happy poem someday.
Does anyone have experience with EMDR?
Does knowing I am in counseling impact your subscription at all?
(You have my permission to begin your comment with, “Well, I have a friend …”)
Filed under: Life
Knowing you’re in therapy causes me to respect you all the more. I haven’t kept it a secret on my blog, but in case you missed it, I’ve been in counseling, off and on, for years. That makes it sound like it never ends, but that’s not the case. At eighteen I started, realizing I was depressed and finally away from home…more at 25…again at 33…now at 45. Why? I think we heal in cycles. When new things occur in life, new stresses, old stuff surfaces and sometimes needs to be reexamined. Especially for us melancholy, creative types.
I do not know anything about EMDR. Actually, I’ve always sought counselors through New Life Ministries just ’cause I want to be able to discuss my faith in God and not have it disparaged. And I take medication, too. Zoloft. Without it I’m a crying mess and in a deep, dark hole. I’ve learned my brain just doesn’t have enough serotonin to think happy thoughts.
So…yeah, Ric…I have a friend…and it’s me.
If you’re interested: http://www.newlife.com It’s a nationwide network of Christian counselors.
Love you, Ric. Praying still.
Ric–> There’s no shame or weakness in taking anti-depressants or living with depression anymore than there is for someone living with diabetes and taking insulin. There have been far too many stigmas attached to therapy, medications, and mental health and they’ve come at the great suffering of those who were in desperate need of help.
And I think it’s great if you’ve found a good Christian therapist you can relate to. When I went to therapy it was with a Jewish woman and being a conservative Christian at the time, I told her of my misgivings that she might not be able to help me since my faith was so integral to my life. She said, “Do you think there’s a chance that your God might be able to use me and our times together to help you?” In the end that was more true than she ever imagined when she said it. The fact that I’m still here in one piece and living a rather blissful life serves as proof.
EMDR. Okay. This might not be what you want to hear but I gave that a try at one point because I had a friend who was sold on it. I believe I would be considered a EMDR failure because the whole process just made me giggle. But again, for my friend it was a real positive experience.
I adore you and love your writing. I’ll follow your blog when you’re depressed or exuberantly gleeful, though for your sake just a nice calm peace would be what I would desire for you. Keep doing the work Brother and while you’re doing it, keep it real.
Brother everyone needs counseling..strong people actually get it! I have had my share…and if you count long intense walks with God, and sitting in my Pastors office just sorting things out…then I will probably be in counseling until I get home to heaven.
I have never heard of this kind of therapy, but the deal with keeping your eyes moving makes perfect sense. When learning to drive a bus, I was taught if my eyes stay in one place for more than 3 seconds, the chances of me becoming over focused on one thing is highly probable….I have noticed on days with bad weather…the more I keep my eyes moving the less stressed they are at night…and my stress level is lower…so there must be something to it..just never heard of it.
And for the record…I have been going through a “funk ” of my own…and today I thought of David in the Bible and all that he went through with his children, and his own disobedience…God said he was man after HIS own heart..and David said on occasion..”Why so downcast, oh my soul”? praying for you and you will write, and we will leave it up to God what kind you write…just write. Love you brother
Thanks for being so open Michelle. I like your healing in cycles thoughts. That rings true for me as well. My counselor is Christian, sought for much the same reason.
Anita thank you for your encouraging words and yes, even for you candor on EMDR. I think this might be an issue for me as well… however, I am logical / analytical so, if empirical data supports it, I look at it from that perspective.
And thank you Darla for your encouraging words. I agree that we all go through counseling … most of the time we have great listeners and patient friends. I am at that place where a professional is required. And thanks, I will write stuff wherever my heart is…
I am all for therapy and counseling! It’s very healthy and productive! I think it’s great!! Knowing this makes me like you more!!
Ric —- Did knowing I struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts impact your subscription?
Short answer to your question is – no. I’ll still be here, sorry you can’t get rid of me that easily!
G
Hey Selena thanks.
And Gothiquefae, no impact either… like you say, you could not get rid of me that easily!
checking in on my brother…
If you paid me to sit in the cabin, I would then be a professional…
I’ve not heard of EMDR, so I won’t give an opinion.
I believe ‘funk’ in Biblese is “lamenting.” Lamenting, remembering, hurting, crying, weeping..these are not things that we are ordinarily taught are part of the Christian life.
I believe they are absolutely essential elements to our coming closer to God and becoming more Christ-like. The enormity of it all is mind boggling.
“OOOUUUCCCHHH” – ET
Love the ET quote
That could be the subtitle of this post!
“I believe ‘funk’ in Biblese is “lamenting.” Lamenting, remembering, hurting, crying, weeping..these are not things that we are ordinarily taught are part of the Christian life.”
AMEN, Bad!
We’ve got that lamenting part covered, huh, Ric?
Hope your day is a good one.
Michelle, I think I’m a level 3 lamenter… A skill I really do not want to improve at anymore.
bad – right on!
ric – love you more today than yesterday. its a natural progression. i think youre brave. i admire the snot out of you for sharing this with us.
i go through funks. i battled, heavily, with post-partum depression after both the kids were born…and i think since then i seem more vulnerable to it…it can be in the form of feeling “blue”, anxious, withdrawn. i sure have become more understanding and sympathetic of those who battle with it too. i suspect a lot of mine is hormonal. SHUT UP!!!
im sorry, where did THAT come from???
love you, brother.
Thanks Tam.
sooo what you doin t’nite?
Sorry Darla. Thanks for checking in. Tonight I’m chillin at home with Patti, Pecan Pie, and computers. Life is good.
“I know a friend” – I know a brother – I know a boy – I know a man – I know a son – who experienced intense EMDR — it provided an incredible avenue for healing, with an end result of pure grace. Personally, I believe in the ministry of what some term as Theophostic Prayer…… that’s what helped this friend who’s writing……. nothing can surpass God’s miraculous healing through the Holy Spirit.
Hey thanks JB! I am actually off to meet my therapist this morning to begin this process so you comment and encouragement are timed perfectly.