What Are the Negative Side Effects of EMDR Therapy?

While EMDR is highly effective for trauma, it can temporarily heighten emotional distress, cause vivid dreams, and leave you feeling physically exhausted. Learn exactly what "side effects" to expect and how your EMDR Therapist keeps you safe.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is widely considered one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for PTSD and complex trauma. But a common and highly valid question people ask before starting is: *What are the negative side effects of EMDR?*

It makes sense to ask. Processing deep-rooted trauma requires the brain to revisit painful memories, and this work isn't always comfortable. However, unlike medication side effects which are unintended physiological reactions, the 'side effects' of EMDR are actually signs that the nervous system is actively digesting and reorganizing traumatic memory.

Here, we'll break down the most common emotional and physical after-effects of an EMDR session, why they happen, and how a certified EMDR Therapist helps you manage them.

1. The "Therapy Hangover": Physical Exhaustion

The most frequently reported side effect after a deep EMDR processing session is profound physical fatigue. Clients often describe it as a "therapy hangover."

Why it happens: EMDR engages the limbic system (the emotional center of the brain) and requires significant cognitive energy to re-file fragmented memories into cohesive narratives. Your brain is literally doing heavy lifting. When the adrenaline and cortisol of a trauma response finally begin to metabolize and resolve, your body naturally wants to rest.

How to manage it: Plan for downtime after your session. Don't schedule a major presentation or a demanding social event immediately following EMDR. Hydrate clearly, and permit your body to sleep.

2. Vivid Dreams and processing During Sleep

Many people report experiencing intensely vivid, sometimes disturbing dreams for a night or two following an EMDR session.

Why it happens: EMDR essentially mimicking the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep, which is how the brain naturally processes daily events. By kickstarting this mechanism while you are awake in the therapist's office, the brain often continues the processing cycle once you fall asleep. These dreams are rarely exact replays of the trauma, but rather thematic representations of the brain "cleaning house."

How to manage it: Use the grounding techniques (like the “Safe Place” visualization or the “Container” exercise) that you learned in the preparation phase of EMDR before going to sleep. Keep a journal by your bed to jot down themes, but try not to obsess over analyzing the dreams.

3. Vulnerability to New Triggers (Temporary Sensitivity)

Between sessions, you might feel like your emotional "skin" is thinner. You could be quicker to cry, easier to startle, or more irritable than usual.

Why it happens: In EMDR, we refer to this as the memory network being "lit up" or "open." Because you have intentionally accessed a traumatic memory network, related memories and feelings might float closer to the surface of your conscious awareness during the week.

How to manage it: This vulnerability is usually temporary. We strongly encourage clients to use the emotion regulation tools they learned in Phase 2 (Preparation). If it becomes overwhelming, your EMDR Therapist will focus the next session entirely on re-stabilizing you.

4. Unearthing Suppressed Memories

During EMDR, the brain moves through associative networks. While focusing on one specific target memory, you may suddenly remember other related events that you hadn't thought about in years.

Why it happens: Memories are stored in interconnected webs. When you heal the "root" of a traumatic web, other memories attached to that root will naturally surface. This is a normal part of the brain connecting adaptive information to maladaptive storage.

How to manage it: Trust the process. You do not have to process every single memory that pops up. Your EMDR Therapist will help you decide if the new memory needs to be its own target, or if it will resolve as part of the current work.

Does EMDR Cause False Memories?

No. EMDR does not implant memories, nor does research suggest it creates false ones. It simply allows the brain to connect the dots between what you already know and what you felt at the time. Sometimes, you may realize a detail you thought was true was actually a coping mechanism (e.g., "I realized the car wasn't speeding, I was just terrified"), which is a sign of adaptive processing, not memory fabrication.

Safety First: How Do Psychotherapists Prevent Re-Traumatization?

The potential “negative side effects” of EMDR are exactly why proper training and pacing are critical. EMDR is not a party trick; it is deep neurological work.

A Certified EMDR Therapist will never push you into the processing phase (Phase 4) on day one. We spend significant time in Phase 2 (Preparation) to ensure you have the "brakes" needed to handle the discomfort. If you have a history of complex dissociation or severe complex PTSD, this preparation phase might take weeks or months. The goal is always *controlled* discomfort, never overwhelming flooding.

The Bottom Line

The side effects of EMDR are generally temporary and indicate that profound healing is underway. The short-term discomfort of facing a memory in a safe, controlled therapy room is an investment in long-term freedom from the chronic, uninvited intrusion of PTSD symptoms. If you are ready to begin, our Las Vegas team is here to guide you safely through the process.

About the Author

Derek Wise, MA, LCPC is a mental health clinician at Meridian Behavioral Health specializing in trauma-informed psychotherapy, PTSD treatment, and evidence-based trauma therapy. He is a Certified EMDR Therapist.

References & Clinical Sources

• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
• American Psychological Association (APA)
• National Center for PTSD (US Department of Veterans Affairs)

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for professional psychiatric or clinical care. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.