Quick positive update!!!

[xxrachmarie]

Hi everyone! I’m logging on here for a few minutes to share something exciting. Back in September I left home and moved into college! For many of you this may seem small, but for others you probably understand my intense fear about this. It’s been a few months, but I’m doing pretty well. I’ve gotten my work done and have only had to call my therapist a few times.
I haven’t posted on here in a while because quite honestly it sometimes ignited my fear. It exaggerated the severity of v* for me. I know it’s helpful for many of you, but it hasn’t been for me.
To be honest, I kind of think that I will probably fear v* in some way or another for the rest of my life. I don’t want to, but my body involuntarily reacts. I’m working on changing that pattern and behavior, but I don’t want to waste time waiting for it to work. Thankfully the severity of it has lessened so much over the years though through therapy and medication, along with support from everyone around me. My goal is to manage it and not let it stop me from doing things. So here I am, sitting in college and loving it. It’s hard sometimes and a little scary, but I’m here and I don’t want to leave.
The roommate situation was the scariest part, but my two closest ones (I have 4 in total) have told me they will be by my side if “it” happens. It’s so reassuring to hear this and makes it so much easier to be here. So far, living here has been much better than I thought it was going to be.
Anyways, I thought I would share my newest article published on a college journalism website about emetophobia. I’ve been really proud of my progress and it inspires me to keep working every day at getting better so I decided to talk about it. All of you are so wonderful and can thrive in the world even if this phobia plagues you. And I hope that one day all of us won’t even flinch at the thought of it happening to us.
https://www.freshu.io/rachel-loia/de...bia-in-college

[pogopig]

That's fantastic! I'm glad things are going well for you. Keep on fighting.

[AndreaAndee]

Hi Rachmarie! So glad to read this, and also thrilled that you are doing it all!!! My daughter also just started college this year, about 1 1/2 hours from us. I was sooo worried about everything you were saying for her, as she is somewhat afraid of getting sick (probably thanks to me). Well, if you read my previous post titled 'Phone call at 4 am..."it did happen to her. It was awful for me and I'm sure awful for her, being alone there. She didn't wake any of her roommates. But long story short, she is doing fine now! She recovered better than me!! HAHA. And I am trying to get back to "normal" myself. It's hard, as a mom, not to worry so much, especially when I am so great at worrying in general.
But it can be done, and you are doing it! Please keep us posted and at least come on this site to update how you are doing!!

[horsewoman]

How great, enjoyed it very much! Keep pushing through, you'll beat this phobia!! Enjoy your college years!