First processing session

Had my first processing session a couple days ago.

Initially we wanted to start with a less traumatic memory, as I was running on 2 hours of sleep (my disabled child had me up all night).

We started with that memory and eventually my mind went to a much harder memory. Therapist asked me if I felt comfortable proceeding and I did so we continued.

I asked my therapist if this was normal and she said it totally was but I wanted y’all’s thoughts just out of curiosity.

It was REALLY hard, borderline impossible, to stay focused on one memory. Probably 15 different random memories came up during processing. When she’d ask me to stay with a certain feeling or memory, sometimes I could, but other times a different memory or feeling would come.

It was almost a little frustrating for me. Can you still process hard stuff even if you can’t stay focused on them for a long time?

When I came out of processing I was SUPER spaced out so we did some grounding stuff and I quickly felt better and more grounded. This makes me think something was definitely happening, even if it all felt super random and all over the place.

Also, I’ve heard stories of people feeling like they got hit by a bus after processing and I don’t feel that way… the night of I was tired, sure, but beyond that no flashbacks or emotional problems or physical symptoms.

Just curious what yall have to say! Thanks!