This may help you with your emetophobia! There is hope! Please Read

[BenBHartnett]

I have been doing a lot of thinking about writing this post. Over these past few months I have felt that my fear is slowly going away. Though I still have it it is getting much better to manage. For example, I am not as afraid of v* than I was 3 months ago. The other day there was v* in the parking lot, and I went to go look at it to really make sure it was v* and I got pretty close to it. Of course it was v* but I didn't go into a panic attack. There was really no reaction. So, I have come up with a list of logical thoughts that I am trying to place in my life that have helped me greatly. They may help you or they may not. I do hope they help! Please read below.

Statements and Logical Thoughts to Help With Your Fear

You don't have to live with this fear. You can make the choice to not worry.

Now, I know this thought sounds harsh but it's not and it's not meant to be harsh. Actually, it's a reaffirmation to help you realize that you are in control of the fear. Don't let it control you. Now, it can be very difficult at times. There are people with the fear so severely that they cannot leave their homes. However, with certain tools and practices those feelings of apprehension can simmer down.

V* is just a harmless body function.

Some people worry that v* may kill them or cause harm. Some people worry that it hurts. I am one of the people that believe it will kill me if I were to v*. However, if we place v* in perspective we can gain a better understanding! Some fears come from the unknown. What is it like? Is it scary? How does it feel? These are thoughts that go through my mind which relates to the next affirmation below.

It's not as scary or as bad as my mind makes it out to be.

The human brain is very powerful and strong. It actually overestimates and makes things worse than they have to be. For example, my mind tells me if I were to v* that the feeling of v* is like a hammer hitting my stomach really hard. This causes me great anxiety! However, I know for a fact that this is not true. I v* almost two years ago. I remember after doing it I thought to myself this was not that bad! Actually, I was over my fear for two days. The v* was gross and icky. However, it was not scary or terrifying at all. It was actually quite relieving and I felt better. Remember, the mind makes things worse because that is our natural response to fear. The flight or fight response.

V* is a good thing.

This is truth. Our body has a reason to v*. For example, if you swallowed some poison and you had to v* it out the bodies natural response is to protect you not to harm you. It's like sneezing. Sneezing serves the purpose of helping you get rid of bacteria/viruses that are in your nose. It's the bodies natural way of protecting you from harmful substances.

Sometimes v* lets you know that there is something wrong

This is very true. Your body sometimes lets you know that there is something wrong by v*. A common symptom of a urinary tract infection of the kidney is v*. While there are many illnesses or problems with the body that cause v* the body still let's you know that there is something wrong so that you can deal with it.

I may not be in control; but there are some things that I can control.

This statement has helped me greatly with my fear. While there are things that are out of my control I can control some things. For example, I can wash my hands which would rid my hands of the Norwalk virus. I can control not placing my hands in my mouth or touching my face. I can control myself not to go around sick people. Also, cook your food properly make sure you use a thermometer to check the temperature to make sure its 165 F. That the is the temperature that most food borne pathogens are killed.

The reason people catch the Norwalk virus is because of improper hygiene.

This is not to sound rude in any way. What it means is the way the virus is spread is by putting your hands in your mouth with the virus on your hands. Lack of washing your hands and placing your hands in your mouth and face is what gets you sick. Also, eating food that is contaminated can get sick as well or FP.

V* is not as common as my mind makes it out to be

This one may sound confusing at first. Let me explain. V* does happen. However, our minds think that any v* is caused by a virus. However, that is not true at all. People v* because of medication reactions, gall bladder issues, food poisoning, too much alcohol, alcohol poisoning, appendicitis, or for some other reason. Not all v* is caused from a virus. For example, I assumed the v* I saw on the ground was from someone who was drunk. This is to consider I live in a huge apartment complex and people often get drunk. Now, my mind wanted to think it was caused from a virus, but I simply redirected the thought and changed it which alleviated my anxiety greatly.

Just because a medication says v* or n* are a side effect does not mean it will happen to you.

I have to take two anti-psychotics to help manage my Schizophrenia. When I first heard that I needed to be on medication I was worried of v*. The pharmacist told me that I could v* from being on Haldol because it works with the central nervous system. However, here is the fact. I never v*. Also, Haldol is an anti-emetic as well. It's widely used to control v* in chemotherapy patients and to control v* from very strong pain reliever substances such as OxyCotton and many other ones. The reason why v* is listed as a side effect is because when they tested the medication on people at least one of the people v*. This does not mean all of them did. Any side effect that happens must be reported. Actually, my pharmacist told me that any medication has the potential to make one v*. However, that does not mean it will happen to you. I have been on SO many anti-depressants and I never got sick once. Also, v* with medications happens because food was not taken with it. This is a big one. There are medications where food is needed. If food is not taken the medication can irritate the stomach. So, remember, just because v* is a side effect of a medicine especially an anti-depressant it does not mean it will happen to you. Don't let that stop you from taking medications to help you.

Tools to help you control your fear

Distract Yourself

This is a big one. Our brains like to run wild and try to confuse us and fill us with anxiety. However, if we redirect our attention elsewhere we control our minds and they don't control us. This has really helped me with my fear.

Medication

Sometimes medications help. There are medicines such as Xanax that are used to help control panic attacks if needed. Also, there are anti-depressants which help control anxiety. They may work or they may not. Please read what I said about v* and anti-depressants and many other medications.

Exercise

Exercise releases feel-good endorphins. This causes you to feel good. Exercise is a great way to alleviate any anxiety. It's also a good method of distraction.

Redirect Your Thoughts

Whenever your mind tries to give you an illogical thought back it up with a true logical thought. For example, if your mind tells you something is v* back it up with So what! or the many reasons why something is not v* or if it is the chances of it being caused by a stomach virus. Remember, logic is better than bad logic.

There is hope!

There is hope with this fear. I know because I am slowly getting over it and feeling better. These affirmations and tools have helped me greatly! I hope they help you. Please respond to this post stating whether this post helped you even if it helped you a tiny bit. Please respond. Also, if it didn't help you please respond as well! Remember, there is hope in the dark tunnel of emetophobia even if it does not feel like it.

[KaydeeJayde]

This is a good list! I'm glad you're doing well with your anxiety! It's so so inspirational to see someone doing so well

[Mumof2]

Good post Ben! Exercise is a good one. I feel best when I'm at the pool, it takes my mind of things and makes me feel fit and healthy in my body and mind.

[Blushes]

Thank you for this helpful information! It really does help to understand the natural balances of the body and how we can cope with that in a logical manner. I always tell myself, "Just because I think it's bad, doesn't mean it really is." I also remind myself of someone who once said, "Why on earth would you hold it in? It feels great to v*."
Just simple small talk, distractions, etc., have helped me along the way. Of course it's different for everyone, but I find this is useful.

[Elski]

Good thread, Ben, I've rated it so hopefully it'll draw plenty of others in as loads of people will find this helpful!

[toyminater]

great post! thanks a lot.
it is so true for me because i am afraid of what it will be like, and that it will hurt or something.

[sage]

Wonderful! Keep thinking this way and your fear will slowly disappear!

The only thing I can think of to add is learning to control your breathing by practice, practice, practice breathing SLOWLY and deeply. This begins the body's process of slowing down the heart, beginning digestion again, relax the muscles, etc.

[Rose22]

This information is great and I'm happy you're on the way to recovery! The only things I would add are to eat healthy (in case you're not already, depending on how bad your emet is), and definitely like Sage said PRACTICE DEEP BREATHING. I'm currently seeing a therapist for help with my emet and she has me doing at least 20 min of deep breathing exercises in the morning and night and I have seen definite improvement because even if my mind is anxious my body is calm and not tense/doesn't react as harshly to the anxiety. The only issue I have is with the "distraction" suggestion. Through a lot of research on panic and anxiety in general and in therapy I've come to understand that distractions are another means of avoidance and avoidance almost always makes things worse. But, hey, if it works for you and you really feel you're making a recovery then all the power to you!

[Paisley]

Thank you for taking the time to post this. These suggestions are fantastic! I'm glad to hear your emetophobia is getting better - this gives me hope.

[BenBHartnett]

Thank you all for taking the time to read this and respond. I am just so excited that there is hope to get over this fear. The more I think about it the more I realize that v* is not that bad at all. Like most of the fears that I have they are all related to fear of losing control e.g. fear of flying. However, there is no point to focus on the things we cannot control. Rather it's best to redirect our attention to the things we can control. I also tell myself so what if I get sick. I know I'll get better. Remember there are things we can control such as washing our hands and properly cooking our food. Someone you know may have a stomach bug, but that does not mean you would get it as long as you wash your hands and don't place them in your mouth. I am sure that there are people who are afraid of flying and v*. I am one of those people. However, if you take a motion sickness pill you are less likely to v*! This is something we can control in respect to v*.

[leylalettin]

hi ive only just joined and i found it comforting to know that there are lots of other people like me and your list was very helpful thankyou

[lisalulu]

what really helped for me was knowing that vomiting brings relief so if i get sick i'm going to feel good right after and vomiting is very short lived so the good comes quickly!

[Valerie13Ann]

This is so inspiring! Thank you for your post! I am the type who gets anxious about going on long car rides because I'm afraid to v* and not being able to get whoever is driving to pull over quick enough for me to do it out of the car. Therefore, lose control and v* all over the car. That would be a nightmare to me. The other day, my boyfriend and I were driving, he was driving and I started having these thoughts. In return made me n*. So what I did was directed my thoughts to thinking about going home and cuddling in our bed and it actually relaxed me and it eventually subsided. Funny thing is, I am fine when i'm driving alone. Because I can control pulling the car over. I think a lot of my fear has to do with losing control.

[lisalulu]

Why don't you just keep a bag in your purse, then you wouldn't be sick all over the car? When I worked on boats we all had to carry bags in our pockets for seasickness and now I have one in my purse- although it gets used instead for things like dirty diapers or wet bathing suits mostly (although one time my mother in law used it to be sick into)

[Valerie13Ann]

I seem to feel like the bag makes me more anxious. Like I have a bag...so I must certainly will throw up. Know what I mean? One time, I was in a car and I said I felt sick....I was handed a plastic bag and it just made the anxiety 10 times worse. Ugh. I hate this phobia!

[lauren37]

thanks glad ur doing so well