Needing help/advice to overcome Emetophobia...
Discussion
Happy New Year to you all!
I've set up a new username to allow me to keep some dignity.
I'm quite a logical person, yet I suffer from emetophobia, or for those that aren't familiar with the term, I have a fear of vomiting.
I don't want to bore you all with the details.
In short, it has ruled and ruined my life. 4 years ago, I was a happy twenty something, 5 years into an apprenticeship in a well paid job with a few decent cars on the driveway. I'm now basically a recluse, with no future.
There is no escape from the phobia (not even sleeping) and it's quite frankly wearing me out.
I've tried CBT twice (both privately and on the NHS) - both made me feel worse. I've also tried Hypnotherapy, again to no avail.
My GP has pretty much given up on me, and to be honest I'm starting to feel the same way.
However, I know PH is filled with some clever people throughout the country, so I guess I'm looking for someone with experience with this type of phobia to give me some advice on what I should do next...?
Apologies for the grim post.
I've set up a new username to allow me to keep some dignity.
I'm quite a logical person, yet I suffer from emetophobia, or for those that aren't familiar with the term, I have a fear of vomiting.
I don't want to bore you all with the details.
In short, it has ruled and ruined my life. 4 years ago, I was a happy twenty something, 5 years into an apprenticeship in a well paid job with a few decent cars on the driveway. I'm now basically a recluse, with no future.
There is no escape from the phobia (not even sleeping) and it's quite frankly wearing me out.
I've tried CBT twice (both privately and on the NHS) - both made me feel worse. I've also tried Hypnotherapy, again to no avail.
My GP has pretty much given up on me, and to be honest I'm starting to feel the same way.
However, I know PH is filled with some clever people throughout the country, so I guess I'm looking for someone with experience with this type of phobia to give me some advice on what I should do next...?
Apologies for the grim post.
Hi, Wantmylifeback,
Happy New Year to you.
I'm not a doctor but as an ex-agoraphobic (of 26 years) with an MSc in psychology, I've some thoughts for you. I've quoted bits of your post in my reply...
The key word to do with phobias is 'irrational'. Someone may say they have a phobia of spiders, when they actually have a fear of them. Nothing irrational about that; some spiders can give nasty bite. The fear can range from mild distaste to a full blown horror of spiders. By contrast, the arachnophobic is not just terrified of spiders, he sees spiders everywhere - mistaking the green part of a tomato for one is the classic example. Anything that moves remotely like a spider will be feared. The phobic will even attribute potential behaviours to spiders. i.e. they have the wit to pursue him or sneak up on him and the motivation to do so for no valid reason. Now think 'irrational' and you'll see what I mean.
In short, it has ruled and ruined my life.
A phobia can do this, or at least it can feel that way. But can you see what you're saying? Just put, 'I believe that' at the start of this quote and you'll see what's doing the ruling and ruining.
I'm now basically a recluse, with no future.
Once again it may seem that way but putting 'I feel that' at the start has a similar effect.
There is no escape from the phobia (not even sleeping) and it's quite frankly wearing me out.
Yes, a phobia can be really tiring.But your GP won't give up on you, nor should you give up on yourself.
You can't argue your way out of a phobia with pure logic, nobody can. What you can do is build up a 'tool kit' or 'armoury' with which to fight the phobia. Here's where a psychologist will be able to help you.
One thing that springs to mind is the possibility of a little help from medication. I don't know if you've tried asking for an anti-emetic but if you haven't, run the idea by your GP.
The point here is that the medication is part of your armoury. You may not even take it, simply knowing you are carrying it and if you use it, you will not be sick (in fact, you probably can't be sick) may be enough.
This kind of thing represents a building block. You were outside, you were not sick, result...there's a foundation stone. Emetophobia is classed as a simple, or specific phobia and there are a number of treatments that work well with cases like yours.
Above all, you have this problem and you can fix it, with a little help.
If you need a touch of reinforcement, here's a list of people who were/are emetophobic.
I challenge you to find a single recluse with a ruined life among them...
Charlie Brooker
Joan Baez
Jessica Craig
James Dean
Cameron Diaz
Regina Hall
Matt Lauer
Howie Mandel
Denise Richards[21]
Frankie Sandford
Roger Goodell
Mary Jo White
Usual disclaimer - I'm not a doctor, whether you take my advice is your choice, etc.
HTH, David
Happy New Year to you.
I'm not a doctor but as an ex-agoraphobic (of 26 years) with an MSc in psychology, I've some thoughts for you. I've quoted bits of your post in my reply...
The key word to do with phobias is 'irrational'. Someone may say they have a phobia of spiders, when they actually have a fear of them. Nothing irrational about that; some spiders can give nasty bite. The fear can range from mild distaste to a full blown horror of spiders. By contrast, the arachnophobic is not just terrified of spiders, he sees spiders everywhere - mistaking the green part of a tomato for one is the classic example. Anything that moves remotely like a spider will be feared. The phobic will even attribute potential behaviours to spiders. i.e. they have the wit to pursue him or sneak up on him and the motivation to do so for no valid reason. Now think 'irrational' and you'll see what I mean.
In short, it has ruled and ruined my life.
A phobia can do this, or at least it can feel that way. But can you see what you're saying? Just put, 'I believe that' at the start of this quote and you'll see what's doing the ruling and ruining.
I'm now basically a recluse, with no future.
Once again it may seem that way but putting 'I feel that' at the start has a similar effect.
There is no escape from the phobia (not even sleeping) and it's quite frankly wearing me out.
Yes, a phobia can be really tiring.But your GP won't give up on you, nor should you give up on yourself.
You can't argue your way out of a phobia with pure logic, nobody can. What you can do is build up a 'tool kit' or 'armoury' with which to fight the phobia. Here's where a psychologist will be able to help you.
One thing that springs to mind is the possibility of a little help from medication. I don't know if you've tried asking for an anti-emetic but if you haven't, run the idea by your GP.
The point here is that the medication is part of your armoury. You may not even take it, simply knowing you are carrying it and if you use it, you will not be sick (in fact, you probably can't be sick) may be enough.
This kind of thing represents a building block. You were outside, you were not sick, result...there's a foundation stone. Emetophobia is classed as a simple, or specific phobia and there are a number of treatments that work well with cases like yours.
Above all, you have this problem and you can fix it, with a little help.
If you need a touch of reinforcement, here's a list of people who were/are emetophobic.
I challenge you to find a single recluse with a ruined life among them...
Charlie Brooker
Joan Baez
Jessica Craig
James Dean
Cameron Diaz
Regina Hall
Matt Lauer
Howie Mandel
Denise Richards[21]
Frankie Sandford
Roger Goodell
Mary Jo White
Usual disclaimer - I'm not a doctor, whether you take my advice is your choice, etc.
HTH, David
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