Is anyone else out there doing exposure therapy?

[Greta1074]

I'm pretty far in to my CBT treatment and each day I have to go to a website. There are a range of exposures that I have to look at and or listen to. I just listened to a recording now. I've seen some changes in my reaction already. Instead is shaking and freaking out I am just really grossed out. I'm not angry at everyone all the time. I used to fight instead of my usual flight response. Now I'm anxious. That anxiety I work on with breathing, homeopathic remedies and meditation. I still hate the sounds I must listen to. I am still nervous about it happening I expectantly. But the weird thing is that if I'm anxious and I do my exposure I feel better. I can see what I'm scared of and I'm in control.
Any one else out there tried exposure therapy? I curious of your experiences.

X

[Sam_]

I'm afraid to do exposure therapy because of well the obvious I don't want to hear or see it and freak out. I know I should do it but I'm too scared

[punchbuggy]

I am doing gradual exposure right now and I'm only at the reading stage which doesn't give me much anxiety at all actually. I can't wait for the hard work although I'm sure it will make me anxious I know it will help me.

[Greta1074]

Hey Punchbuggy
I give you tons of respect for doing it gradually. It seems so hard it just make up our minds to start. The words are truly powerful but if its easy,can you train your brain to resond differently? I was cruising on cartoons for ages. I had to convince myself they made me anxious. Now I've moved through photos to sounds. I'm nervous about videos. It's too much!!

[Greta1074]

Hi Sam. Exposure is proven to remove our phobia. I mean gradually and photos, sounds etc. not making yourself ill or hanging out with sickos. We have to train our responses a new way. The worst thing is avoidance if your scared. I know because I wastedonths running away and it made things way worse. Check out Emetophobia resource site. The woman is a saint!

[punchbuggy]

Hey Greta!
It really is a big decision when you really think about how much effort and dedication goes into it all. Thank you and I respect your Journey too. Sometimes I feel like this phobia is so entrenched in me that I won't ever get rid of it but then I read Avaths thread an how cbt helped her and I read other ppls threads (like you) and it reminds me that there is hope an there is light. I just really respect emetophobes who want change for themselves because they know there is a better life for them and they are willing to struggle and reach for it. I am just so motivated when I see others striving for change.

The words don't cause me much anxiety but the really detailed paragraphs do sometimes especially when it's very very descriptive. If it is too easy me and my therapist just move on to the next level. I absolutely love working with her. She actually made the emetophobia resource website . I work with her over Skype. You are right she is a saint. She keeps me motivated and I am thankful to have her. Her story is another one that is inspiring .

Edit: pls continue to post about ur progress !

[Greta1074]

Wow!!! You're so lucky. What's it like working with someone who's a recovered emetophobe? My therapist has no signs of having had our phobia and is curious enough to research it to work with me. It's so great that you're facing this stuff head on. I'm about to do my exposure in a minute or so. I hate it. Really really I do. Paragraphs are ok. I can look at the words or cartoons. If I hear anything like some one is feeling ill I get crazy. My fear is in the anticipation. I think everything will be ruined. Like someone getting sick would bring on the apocalypse. It's crazy. Everyone thinks I'm crazy. There's so much shame. It caused me to turn to drugs for years so I would just sleep through life. I was so depressed. I remember the dark times when I start opting for avoidance. My motivation is my family. My life was so sad and empty before them. They are here now and there is no turning back. Forever changed, I can't revert to hiding away from humanity. Now I found this site and Emetophobia resource I can walk through the flames of my fear. Every day I hate it but the anxiety goes down a lot after. Do you have any side effects after exposure? I get angry. And sleepy. Weird.

[Greta1074]

I write using an iPhone so my content might be rough. Please excuse. X

[punchbuggy]

Greta, np I use my iPhone to that's why a lot of my posts have edits on them lol.

Working with a recovered emetophobe is really great. She can really understand and relate to things and that makes me feel so much better because a lot of professionals have looked at me like I'm crazy. I also love that I am ask her questions about how things used to make her feel an how they make her feel now that she doesn't have emet. It's a huge inspiration to know her story and e able to work with her. I feel lucky.

I'm so glad to hear you are in a much better place. Guess what? It only gets better the harder you work! I haven't had any effects after exposure but I do feel accomplished I like that feeling a lot because its one you don't experience a lot with emet as it holds you back from so much. Your family seems to be such a positive focal in your life I am happy you have them . My mom and fiancé are my biggest supporters and I'm forever thankful

[Sam_]

Greta- thank you I didn't really know much about that but maybe soon I can work up the courage to watch videos or something. Thanks