Quick Answer: EMDR side effects can include temporary emotional distress, tiredness, vivid dreams, physical sensations, or memories surfacing between sessions. Reactions vary, so anything intense or persistent should be discussed with your therapist.
EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, can bring up strong emotions, memories, or physical sensations as the brain works through experiences that have been difficult to process.
While some people feel little change after a session, others may feel tired, emotional, unsettled, or notice that memories and dreams continue to surface between appointments. These reactions can be part of the processing experience, but they shouldn’t leave you feeling unsupported or unable to function.
If you’re considering EMDR, contact Neurish Wellness to discuss your symptoms, treatment goals, and whether trauma-focused care may be appropriate for you.
What EMDR Therapy Side Effects Can You Experience?
EMDR therapy side effects can vary from person to person, and some people notice very little after a session. Others may feel more emotional, physically tired, or unsettled for a short time as difficult memories and feelings continue to surface.
Some people may notice:
- Feeling more emotional or sensitive than usual
- Tiredness after a session
- Temporary anxiety or distress
- Physical sensations connected with the memory being processed
- New memories or associations coming to mind
- Vivid or unusual dreams
- Thoughts about the experience continuing between sessions
You may feel calmer, more emotional, or notice very little after EMDR. Stronger reactions don’t necessarily mean the therapy is working better, and research suggests reported adverse effects are generally mild and temporary. If symptoms feel intense or disruptive, discuss them with your therapist.
What Should You Expect Before EMDR Processing Begins?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy should start with preparation, not with immediately asking you to revisit your most difficult memories. Your therapist will usually spend time learning about your history, explaining how EMDR works, and making sure you have ways to manage distress before deeper processing begins.
This preparation can be especially important if you have a complex trauma history, strong emotional reactions, dissociation, or other mental health concerns. The pace of treatment may need to change depending on what helps you feel steady enough to continue.
At Neurish Wellness, EMDR can be part of a broader treatment plan that reflects your symptoms, history, and goals rather than being used as a standalone technique.
What Can You Feel During an EMDR Session?
During EMDR, you may notice emotions, thoughts, memories, images, or physical sensations changing as the session moves forward. Your therapist may ask you to focus briefly on a memory while following alternating movement, tapping, or sound, then describe what comes up.
You might feel sadness, fear, anger, tension, relief, or something unexpected. Some sessions feel intense, while others may feel much quieter.
You remain involved throughout the process, and the session should include time to settle before you leave. If something feels too overwhelming, tell your therapist so they can slow down or adjust the session.
What Can Happen After an EMDR Session?
After an EMDR session, you may feel tired, emotional, reflective, or notice memories, thoughts, dreams, or physical sensations continuing to come up. Some people return to their normal day easily, while others prefer more quiet time afterward.
Processing can continue between appointments, which is why you may notice new thoughts, dreams, or emotions after the session has ended. That doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.
If something feels unusually intense, lasts longer than expected, or starts interfering with daily life, bring it up with your therapist. That feedback can help them understand how you’re responding and adjust the pace if needed.
How Long Do EMDR Therapy Side Effects Last?
There is no set timeline for how long EMDR therapy side effects last. Some reactions may pass fairly quickly, while others can linger a little longer, depending on what came up in the session and how your mind and body respond.
Rather than focusing on a specific number of hours or days, pay attention to whether you’re gradually feeling more settled. If the reaction is becoming stronger, lasting longer than expected, or making daily life harder, it’s a good idea to talk with your therapist.
You don’t have to push through discomfort just because it happened after EMDR. Your response gives your therapist useful information about how to pace the work and what kind of support you may need.
Can EMDR Make You Feel Worse Before You Feel Better?
EMDR can sometimes bring up difficult emotions because it involves working with memories and beliefs that may already be painful. You might feel more emotional, unsettled, or tired for a short time after a session.
That doesn’t mean you have to feel worse for treatment to be working. Some discomfort can happen, but feeling increasingly overwhelmed, unable to sleep, unable to function, or unsafe is different and should be discussed with your therapist.
Trauma treatment should feel supported and manageable, even when the work is difficult. Your therapist can slow down, adjust the pace, or spend more time on stabilization if you need it.
When Should You Talk to Your Therapist About EMDR Side Effects?
You should talk to your therapist whenever a reaction feels unusually intense, lasts longer than expected, starts affecting your daily life, or simply worries you.
You don’t need to wait for symptoms to become severe. Changes in sleep, anxiety, emotions, memories, or physical reactions can all help your therapist understand how you’re responding and whether anything in the treatment plan needs to change.
If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, or are experiencing a mental health emergency, seek immediate help.
You can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
How Does Neurish Wellness Approach EMDR and Trauma Treatment?
At Neurish Wellness, Neurish Wellness uses EMDR as part of a broader, individualized approach to trauma treatment. That can be especially helpful when trauma is happening alongside anxiety, mood changes, dissociation, or other concerns that may need more than one type of support.
Depending on your needs, care may include:
- EMDR for trauma-related symptoms and PTSD
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Family systems therapy
- Psychiatric support and medication management when appropriate
- Residential, outpatient, or virtual mental health treatment
The goal is to meet you where you are rather than fit you into one approach. If weekly therapy no longer feels like enough, we can help you look at whether a different level of care could give you more structure, support, and space to work through what you are experiencing.
Talk With Neurish Wellness About Trauma Treatment
You don’t have to decide on your own whether EMDR is the right next step. Our team can assess your symptoms, treatment history, and current needs and help you understand which trauma treatment options may be appropriate.
Contact us to discuss your needs and explore the trauma treatment and level of support that may be right for you.
FAQs About EMDR Side Effects
Is it normal to feel tired after EMDR?
Yes, some people feel tired after an EMDR session, although not everyone experiences fatigue.
Why am I having vivid dreams after EMDR?
Dreams can emerge as processing continues between EMDR sessions. EMDR resources specifically prepare clients for the possibility that dreams, memories, thoughts, emotions, and other material may surface after an appointment.
Can EMDR cause headaches?
People may experience physical sensations during or around trauma processing, but the available research doesn’t establish headaches as a predictable or universal EMDR side effect. If you develop a new, persistent, or severe headache, discuss it with an appropriate health professional rather than assuming EMDR caused it.
Can EMDR make anxiety worse temporarily?
It can temporarily increase distress when you focus on upsetting memories, emotions, or beliefs. If anxiety becomes intense, continues to increase, or interferes with your functioning between sessions, tell your therapist so your treatment plan can be reviewed.
What is an EMDR hangover?
“EMDR hangover” is an informal phrase people sometimes use for feeling tired, emotionally sensitive, mentally preoccupied, or otherwise different after an EMDR session. It isn’t a clinical diagnosis or formal EMDR term, so specific symptoms should still be discussed with your therapist rather than grouped under that label.
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Cole Dyar is the Executive Director & co-founder of Neurish Wellness. He has been working in the behavioral health field in operational, clinical, organizational, and managerial capacities for thirteen years. He holds a degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz in sociology and is a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC) as recognized by CCAPP. Cole holds a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology including: Organizational Leadership and Design, a Post-Masters in General Marriage and Family Therapy, and is currently a doctoral candidate in MFT with an emphasis in Systemic Administration & Entrepreneurship.