I was doing so well... :(

[bex]

So I haven't been on this website for a good month or so - progress indeed, as far as I'm concerned! A recent split from my long-term partner spurred me on to (try to) conquer this horrid phobia, and the absense of the 'support line' she provided (which in retrospect was not condusive to overcoming my emet, despite thinking so at the time) has really aided my progress. However, I've hit a bit of a brick wall recently - every Facebook remark about v*, every flippant comment I hear on the radio about it, every colleague who calls in with "that illness" makes me relapse more and more.. I'm almost at the stage where I don't want to leave the safety of my home; I'd much sooner curl up and hibernate until the summer. Anyone have any suggestions/thoughts?

Bex..

[LouiseR]

Oh no! sorry to hear you've had a set back, but welcome back anyway! At least it goes to show there will be times when this phobia won't rule your life
I don't really know what to suggest...every time I hear the word vomit on the radio/tv or read it on fb/book I freak out a bit too and have to read on, or listen more carefully. I hate it when people make flippant remarks about vomit, it just makes me think vomiting is everywhere if people bring it up in conversation.

I'd say the best thing to do in terms of conquering the fear is not to curl up and hibernate, as tempting as that may be, but just 'face your fears' so to speak and continue to go out and get on with your life. Easier said than done, and I find when i decide to do something like eat at a restaurant, or go to work when noro is about I always have some sort of anxiety attack that night and wish I hadn't done it. But really...if I didn't do those things I'd hate my life and now I can always look back and be like well I went to uni/ate out when noro was really bad last year and didn't catch anything and it reassures me a bit. So maybe getting on with it is good in the long run. In true British spirit, keep calm and carry on!