I've been on a waiting list for treatment since September 2008 when my phobia became so bad that I couldn't work anymore. Last spring I had a few sessions so they could assess me/start my treatment and I was put back on another waiting list for further treatment.
I want to get better NOW, but I have to wait until I can get this treatment. We do not have a cent to spare after we've paid our bills for me to spend on a therapist that isn't covered by OHIP. I also don't have any childcare at the moment (or money to pay for it) for my 7 month old daughter.
I am currently working on some 'self treatment' at home. Which is basically do it yourself exposure therapy. I've also started using that link for the PSTEC that someone posted here recently, I do it 2-3 times a day. Although it didn't cure me in just a couple tries like it claims, I do find it is helping me progress through exposure therapy a lot faster than before. I have recently made it through all of the pictures on the bravehost site with little to no anxiety and have moved on to videos.
Is there anything else I can do to work on this on my own until therapy becomes available to me? I am willing to do anything to get better because I now have a daughter that I want to care for when she gets sick. I also don't want to live in fear of catching a stomach virus any time someone close to me (or even near me) comes down with one. My goal is to accept that vomiting is a part of life the way I have accepted colds, the dentist and other things I find unpleasant and not be in fear of it or thinking about it unless it's actually happening. I am 32 years old and have had this phobia since before I have memory so I know there is a lot to work on.
If anyone else has suggestions of ways I can work on this now and on my own please let me know. I do go through 'good' periods when I rarely worrry about being sick except on a rare occasion when it's very likely I will be but I always come back to periods of constant worry, nausea, agoraphobia and everything else that goes along with this phobia. I am trying to recognize my thought patterns and work on changing them but it's easier said than done when my body takes over and decides to panic for me.
Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Lisa