How has this site helped you

[Grace47]

In the vein of trying to post more positive threads, I thought it would be nice if people shared how the site has helped them.


I'll start...


First of all, I've made some new friends which is great. I have learned a ton about noro. I'm not nearly as scared as I was. I've learned that I am not doomed. SV is not inevitable. And if it does happen, it's not the end of the world. People don't die from it. I may be shaking in my boots, but I can handle it. In a charming side bonus, since I have been concentrating on getting better, I have stopped obsessing so much about weight and have started loosing again like I wanted to.

[Amanda Pomerenke]

I have also made a few great friends. I didn't know so many people shared this phobia with me. It definitely makes me feel less alone. Plus, I had no idea what noro was before I came here. I just thought it was called the stomach bug, and I thought it was something that just came to random people. Now that I learned about it, I do realize it's more severe than I thought it was, but I'm more confident that I won't get it, as long as I keep up with hand washing and I avoid those who are sick.

also, probably the most important thing, is I learned how to think better. After reading so many panic posts, I realize that getting re assurance isn't going to help the phobia. It's going to fuel the obsession, and make it worse. To treat the phobia, you have to stop the obsession, which means you have to stop telling yourself "Oh, I'm not sick, i'll be fine". I've learned instead of saying things like "i wont v, that person wasn't even sick, i didn't come into contact with her v or d particles, she could of been pregnant, etc" I think it's a lot more calming to say "Just breathe. If I v, I can get through it. It will suck, but it's short lived and I am strong. Everything will be okay, just remain calm.". I tried that earlier when I woke up n, and I calmed down faster than I ever did while re assuring myself.

[Valen]

I know I can always come here with any "crazy" little thing and no one will think i am crazy! It feels great to know there are people out there who truly care, because they feel the same way. I thought i was the only one, for a long time..i didnt know what was wrong with me or why i was like this. And i also have found some great friends on this site, who i can say have changed a bit of my life Coming on here to help everyone else also makes me happy! I've learned alot more about SV's and cleaning tips, etc. Im very thankful for whoever created this website!

[chris_alice]

To be honest, this site hasn't helped me with my emetophobia at all but it's nice to know that I'm not the only person in the world who suffers from severe emetophobia.

[Cynna]

This site has given me a place to come to when I have questions about fp or something. Last night, this forum helped me a lot. This forum has helped me realize that I am not the only person who freaked about others v... I used to think I was the only person in the world like that. This forum has given me lots of friends that I still keep in contact with although I am inactive. Responding to posts and fostering friendship has helped me realize I am not the horrible person my mentally sister thought I was. Finally this forum has helped me kick emets a.... I feel so much better about things now and feel ready to face others v... The real test will come one day when a stranger v.. in front of me. I feel so much better than I did before I joined the forum.

Great thread Grace!

Amanda love your reply.

[beezus]

I don't often post. It's just good to be in the company of like-minded people. When my son has had a CVS bout, or my daughter chokes on her food, or even that time I saw a drunken homeless man refunding his liquor on a street corner, I have a lurk on the forums. Just to feel less... crazy. You know, friends and relatives are all "C'mon, it's just p***e. Grow a pair!". And I'm all a-panic heh. It's also great to be around people who believe in simple, common sense, hygeine! Anyway... it helps me when no one else *gets* it. Thanks, y'all.

[Grace47]

Refunded his liquor. Hahahaha! I would never have thought of putting it that way. Too funny!

[Maige]

Well, it isn't really helped me much with my phobia, but it's just helped me learn the experiences of others with the same fear - I'm amazed by how many similarities we all have physically, mentally, other-fear-wise, and I love learning about how others with a similar fear react and adapt to particular situations. That, and it's given me a place to try and help people with what I know, and just meet some nice people.

[jotini]

I don't think I'd be at this stage of understanding without it. Plus some great people to talk too!
It has made me reflect a lot on certain aspects of cognition, especially when I see someone else exhibiting the same thoughts. It's always easier to give someone else advice - but sometimes you're in the same situation and its helpful to re-read what you yourself have said about it when you were more rational.

[Jay417]

It helps me to feel like I am not alone with this phobia. Sometimes just reading how others cope with illness helps as well. Also, since my emet is now around a 5 where it was once a 10, I hope to be able to help others here.

[KimberlyP]

Honestly, I think this site may have made my emetophobia worse. But it also makes me feel safer, if that makes sense.

Before I was using purell in public thinking I was safe but I found out from ppl on here that it won't. I FREAKED when I found out. Then my hypochondria kicked in and every time someone posted that it had happened to them I automatically thought it was going to happen to me. I left the site for a while because of that.

Now I love it. I avoid the posts that will trigger me and I have gained so much info once I came back. I really appreciate the people on this site. It takes a lot to help people when you yourself are terrified.

[Skittles04]

i dont think this site has exactly helped my case of emet, but its made me feel less alone. like alot of you guys said, i used to think i was the only person who suffered from this! you kind of feel a bit like alice in wonderland when you first stumble across this site :P

i've made some good friends, and its so good to come on here and voice your craziness- and then to get heaps of comforting responses

[hairyfairy]

It`s so reassuring knowing that other people feel the way that I do about v.