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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    15

    Question Sick from anxiety during exposure therapy?

    I've been an emet since I was very young, am now mid 20's and trying to be active in getting over this phobia. I saw a therapist for a few months last summer, but stopped going once she wanted to start exposure therapy because I was so nervous.

    I want to try doing some exposure therapy on my own terms, but I'm nervous about getting sick from being exposed to the sight/sound/etc. My therapist told me that sometimes people did v* during the exposure, and that prospect terrifies me! My bf, who is non-emet, says its normal for people to feel sick when they see pictures of watch videos with v*, but I don't know if I can handle that. I get so anxious my stomach starts to hurt, and I know sometimes normal people do v* from nervousness. I feel like if I get sick during therapy it will set me back even further as re-traumatization.

    Do you know anyone or yourself that has been sick during exposure therapy or had an anxiety attack cause them to be sick? Is there a good way to avoid or handle this?

    Thanks for any advice.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Hove, UK
    Posts
    1,307

    Default Re: Sick from anxiety during exposure therapy?

    I've not heard of anyone getting sick during exposure therapy. It starts off so gently and moves on when you're ready so at first, it could just be looking at the word v* or saying the word v*. It certainly doesn't mean you'll be thrown straight into looking at disturbing images as it works up really gradually and goes on to the next level when you're ready. I can't really tell from your post whether you have a new therapist or not? If you do, do you have a good relationship with him/her? What does he/she think about starting exposure therapy? Is he/she experienced in working with emets?

    Good luck hun! If it's supported by a good, experienced therapist, it could be the key to your recovery process

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: Sick from anxiety during exposure therapy?

    Thanks. I'm not currently with a new therapist; my old one was considered a specialist in anxiety and eating disorders, with previous emet experience, but I never really felt quite warm or 100% comfortable with her.

    I'm hoping to work on it on my own, with the help of my bf. I feel like we understand the process well, and since we both study neuroscience and have more experience with and knowledge of cognitive/behavioral psychology than the average layman, that this could be feasible, especially since I already trust him. Also, while I haven't worked up the nerve yet for exposure therapy, he helps with gentle reminders when I'm exhibiting avoidance or coping mechanisms.

    I'm pretty sure I could start off at an intermediate level; I don't have problems with the word (I write v* for the sake of others reading) and some of the lower levels. I'm just terrified of being exposed to something eventually that could make even a non-emet feel sick. :\

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts
    4,577

    Default Re: Sick from anxiety during exposure therapy?

    I just put up a "self-help" page on my website. Click the link below, go to "resources" and you'll see the page there. Good luck!
    For more info about emetophobia and treatment:

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    DISCLAIMER ~ Any advice I give on this forum is well-intentioned and given as to a peer or friend or for educational purposes. It does not in any way constitute psychotherapeutic or medical advice. Please discuss anything you may learn from my posts with your doctor and psychotherapist prior to making any decisions or changes or taking any actions.



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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    28

    Default Re: Sick from anxiety during exposure therapy?

    I truly don't think anything would happen.
    Of course pictures like that are gross. Anyone with or without this phobia could see that! But, I've done exposure therapy. It didn't make me sick to my stomach.
    But the downside is, it did nothing for me. I ended up watching probably over 20 videos, and must have seen 100s of pictures, but nothing seemed to fix it.
    IMHO, exposure therapy was a waste of time.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: Sick from anxiety during exposure therapy?

    That's disappointing. Did you find any solutions that did work for you?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts
    4,577

    Default Re: Sick from anxiety during exposure therapy?

    Sparklyx,
    Any therapy is only as good as the therapist administering it. Just watching videos and becoming desensitized to pictures and videos only accomplishes just that. You're desensitized to videos. The "cognitive" part is just as important as the "behavioral" part. The therapist has to guide you through a program that trains your brain to be in control of your anxiety, rather than the other way around.
    Don't give up on therapy, CBT or "exposure!"
    For more info about emetophobia and treatment:

    To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
    DISCLAIMER ~ Any advice I give on this forum is well-intentioned and given as to a peer or friend or for educational purposes. It does not in any way constitute psychotherapeutic or medical advice. Please discuss anything you may learn from my posts with your doctor and psychotherapist prior to making any decisions or changes or taking any actions.



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