It's funny that I found this website not even six months ago, and I already want to help out everyone (especially since everyone on here was so helpful to me!).


Everyone with emet wishes it was cured. I bet you anything that there is not one person who 'likes' having a phobia! Getting help through a therapist or a phychologist is one way to really make progress (although it's probably not as fast as we would hope and want! Haha).

One thing that I have found is that many people do not have insurance, or do not have insurance that covers mental health. There are a lot of ways I have learned to get around this!

If you are a student or attend a university check with the school and see if they have a counceling service. I know that at my university they give six sessions for free, and then it is $12 a session after that. That is pretty cheap if you ask me! Even though these may not be professionals (ours here are graduates pursuing a doctorate), they may still be able to help you. Any help is better than none.

Along the same lines, some phychologists-in-training, such as INTERNS need so many hours of community service or 'service in the field' type of things. This means they may be able to see you for FREE. I checked with my shrink's office (I am lucky to have insurance, but they once threatened to cut me off), and they have a few interns who are more than happy to coach you along with your difficulties. One thing that I particularly loved about this was that because there was no insurance involved, we could meet where-ever we wanted (such as doing exposure therapy at the hospital!!). Many insurance companies have liability clauses and such that state doctors can only see IN-OFFICE (meaning you can't go for a walk or go to the park - I would feel so much better outside than in a little room!).

Shrinks (I don't mean this in a bad way either, by the way, my SHRINK actually uses that title himself - it is his AOL Instant Messenger name!!) may not be the only 'profession' to check out. Social workers can help loads too! However, when I checked into social workers in my area, they wanted more than my therapist did per session! I am not sure, but I would hope that people in certain situations (especially if you are considered 'below the poverty line' or if you are getting physically abused or whatnot) would be able to see a social worker.

One more thing! If you absolutely cannot find someone to see or do not wish to see someone, at least try to help yourself with a workbook. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne has helped me numerous times. Because I could not afford the book at the time, I borrowed it from my library, copied down stuff I wanted to always remember, and applied everything I read. It has very interesting stuff. The first part of the book deals with different types of anxiety disorders, such as phobias and OCD. It also talks about agoraphobia, which I know some of us have.
The book also spends a great deal of time explaining how important exercise, breathing, and positive thoughts can help. It teaches you to breathe and explains why that helps calm you. It also covers topics such as EMDR and hypnosis, though it is not very detailed at all.

One last thing I wanted to add, and I know that frequent forum-goers have heard this a billion time from me, if you do choose therapy, I strongly suggest trying CBT, possibly paired with another type of therapy (EMDR or hypnosis). I have tried all three and although CBT took the longest, was scariest, and was something you would probably initially want to resist, it did help me in the long run. But I'm not saying other things don't work. Every person is unique, and you should try every possible thing, if able, to overcome this phobia. I know you all can do it! I know it's so frightening to have emetophobia - anxiety causes nausea, which in turn causes more anxiety! It is a never-ending circle, but once you learn to BREAK that circle, it's amazing how free you can fe