I've beaten this fear : )

[FunLuvinGurl27]

Okay I'm going to be honest with you, I was a very mild emetophobic to begin with. And I was one of those emetophobics that was afraid to vomit myself, I didn't mind seeing it or hearing it or doing it in public. I just didn't want to do it period.

Some of you might remember that I got sick about a 4 weeks ago. From that sickness I v* a total of 3 times. The weirdest thing was, the day before that experience, I told myself, "the only way out of this is to v*" I knew with my whole being that I needed to do it to realize that it was no big deal.

Then I got sick that very next day. At first I thought I was just getting stomach cramps from gas, but the cramps got worse, and then I felt very very bloated. That's when I decided that it was time to leave school, and by then I knew that I was probably getting sick. The funny thing was I didn't get scared, I didn't get anxious, I just got in my car and went home.

I laid down on my coach and for about 3 hours I had the worst bloating ever! It was really uncomfortable and I still had the bad cramps as well. I tried to sip on flat soda and nibble on crackers but that didn't work out so well.

First I got d* and had one movement, and then about 15 minutes later, I had to get up and go again, and I felt very ill when I did so. When I stood up and went to leave the bathroom, it hit me. My throat contracted, I suddenly felt very nauseous and felt like gagging. About 5 seconds after that feeling hit me, I v* all over the kitchen floor.

I didn't cry, I didn't collapse and have a panic attack, I went upstairs brushed my teeth and changed into more comfortable clothes. I was proud of myself, and I realized how good v* actually makes you feel. The bloating and cramps immediately went away. And I felt awesome. I did vomit 2 more times but it had the same effect. That's when I realized. "This was never a big deal to begin with!"

Ever since I was sick I have hardly thought about v* at all, it never pops up in my mind anymore, because I'm truly not afraid of it anymore. It's not a bad thing, and it's such a short experience that makes you feel better. I just can't think of a reason to be afraid of it anymore. Now I know what it will feel like as well when you v*. I'll put it this way, if you can easily get up and walk around, you aren't sick, because when you have to v* you will not want to get up, all you will want to do is lay down.

I have conquered this, and you can too. It takes a different experience for everyone for that rational thinking to click back on and for the fear to suddenly seem silly. You can find it though, there is always going to be opportunities to have that experience.

I still have some other anxiety issues that I'm working on, and unfortunately the "lump in throat" or "tight throat" feeling I developed from Emetophobia has now become an anxiety symptom. So I am having to find ways to deal with that. But I know that I will be there soon. I will be a full peace and conquering this was a huge step.

Good luck to all of you, and feel free to ask me any questions.

[lisalulu]

That's amazing! I remember when I v* last year thinking how it's not that bad and makes you feel better. My emet is much stronger than yours but I'm hoping to beat it this year and accept sickness as part of life. Good for you!!!!

[RachelWalker85]

I have had this fear for pretty much my entire life, and the last time I v* was about a year ago. At the time I did it, I surprisingly didn't panic and it SERIOUSLY was not that bad at all!! I thought that I was cured, and I was for a while. Although, as time went on, I began to fear it again. I don't know why I began to fear it again when I know from experience that it isn't that bad. I find it very weird. I think that it is wonderful that you conquered such a huge part of this phobia, and I hope and pray that it sticks with you and you don't go back to the fear that you had in the first place. I'm not saying that you are going to at all, but I just wanted to share my personal experience.

[olschesky]

congrats.....love hearing this