comments about being cured

[sally stone wo]

Hi guys,


Just noticed that some folks including newbies are starting discussion on the "stories of being cured" thread - since I want that thread to be ONLY stories of people being cured, or brief responses, I'm just moving the comments over to here.


SAGE


I just discovered this site and I am amazed..I thought I was the only one with
this phobia. Thank you Edited by: sage

[domino2006]

Hi Sage and all,

I found this site about two weeks ago and I am amazed and relieved. I realize now I've been emet since I can remember! I don't remember the first time I was s* but I'm pretty sure my parents didn't respond well to it, particularly my father who is also probably emet (he hasn't v* in probably twenty-five years). I have so many of the indicators that all of you have! My parents are constantly worried about me, the fact that I constantly worry I'm getting a sv* and go on fasts that actually make me feel worse! They are sure I have an eating disorder. I've been to doctors for constant n* and what I call "stomach pain" for lack of a better word and no one can find out what's wrong with me. I have been terrified of v* my whole life!
I am a very strong-willed person and am proud to be included in the ranks of you all because you all seem to be strong-willed, determined people and it is good to know I'm not just a "hypochondriac", I'm not in the least scared of any other types of germs.
The good news is that I have been cured through exposure at least of the fear of watching other people v* or hearing it. And believe me, anyone can. I was absolutely terrified and shaking in the past when I heard or saw someone. Kids at school used to even tease me when I was in the bathroom alone and come in and make sounds to freak me out. But then in college I spent a lot of time on sailboats (probably in an attempt to face my fear head-on) and one evening another crew member was terribly ill and I was on watch while she v* over the side for six hours, less than a foot away from me. I can tell you, I was about to jump over the rail at first, but I was more afraid of drowning (I know we all say "I'd rather die than. . ." but I don't think we really will when it comes right down to it.) Currently I am a teacher and face v* in others on a regular basis. I know I've been cured of that side of it, because seeing or hearing it doesn't bother me anymore, but I still freak out anytime someone has a sv* that I might catch it, I do the whole thing: obsess, go through the fasting, the handwashing, have lists of "safe" foods, constantly worry about real or imagined symptoms. Sage, one thing you said really rings true for me. As a child, I was (or at least thought I was)chastized if ever I v* myself, was treated like a second-class citizen, banished, kept from playing, eating, etc. My fear, I think, stems from the fear that somehow if someone knows I have v*ed then I will be condemned. Only once in my life do I remember NOT fearing v*, and that was one time I woke up early in the morning, went to the bathroom by myself and did my thing and no one ever knew, and I never told anyone. I want to desensitize myself, I want some help, I want to beat this. It is so wonderful to know I'm not so strange after all! Thank you! Thank you!

Stephanie
v*-free for seven years/determined to beat this thing.
Sage, does beating emetophobia mean v* more regularly or what? What exactly? I mean, sometimes I am genuinely s* and I just can't make myself v* even though I know I will feel better afterward. It is like giving in. I hate that feeling of fear, that loss of control. But to be cured, what would that be like? I actually found this site because I was feeling so bad I was looking up ways to make myself v* and then I just couldn't do it. Then I was frustrated, wondering "What is wrong with me? Why can't I be like everyone else!"
It is good to know we are not alone, and it's okay not to v* like everyone else.
Steph
Thanks.

[jaimeanne]

Just found this site tonight because DP is feeling unwell and I was starting to panic
</span></font>

I found this site for the same reason! I figured I needed to find some ways to cope b/c I'm afriad my husband seeing my anxiety about his condition will cause him to V*. Which obviously I don't want to happen...

Unfortunatly, I am not ready to seek treatment, the thought of having to be exposed to it in anyway causes me to panic.

I haven't had any children yet, but my husband wants to try, I'm terrified to...b/c of the obvious-morning sickness &amp; then sick kids. I wonder if I can handle it.

It is good to see there is help available, for when I'm ready, because I thought this was a phobia that wasn't recocgnized as a ligitimate one.

[sage]

Hi guys,


Just noticed that some folks including newbies are starting discussion on the "stories of being cured" thread - since I want that thread to be ONLY stories of people being cured, I'm just moving the comments over to here.