Any ideas.

[popdodle]

hello

As with most people on here i have emetophobia . Its controlled my life for years even though I have not V* since i was 6 then did so When i was 15 at the end of march of 2010. Ever since ive had to quit school. Alienate my friends(which was like half the school ) and for months now Ive lived in fear. I'm almost 17 and have yet to get my permit simply because i can't leave my house. I've started to get better, but just now today my brother isnt feeling good and saying he miht V* . i can't get sick right now at this point as im starting to recover. I know the chances of it or slim since i went years without geting sick until last year. I just need some advice or something . I used to be very social. Have tons of friends . But not everyone understands.

P.s - sorry for the long post =/

[Cupcake x]

I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm 21 years old and you would think I was 80 the way I act! I never leave my house unless I absolutely have to, I've had to withdraw from or fail my classes in school because I'm too scared to go to class, I quit my job because I felt sick everytime I was there and the part that I hate the most is that I've pretty much lost all of my friends. Even the ones who have children I never really talk to or see anymore because I never want to go out and do anything in case I don't feel good while I'm away from home. So while they're all out at the bar or going to the gym and grabbing lunch, I'm sitting at home popping anti-emetics and laying in bed. It's pretty awful..and pathetic.

I find that therapy over the years has been very helpful. I'm starting with a new therapist this week so hopefully I can get back on track and get my life back in order. Whenever I am in therapy, I seem to have a much better handle on my life and situations that scare me. Maybe that's something for you to look into. It's great to have someone really understand you and give you tips on how to cope with situations that are hard to handle.

Go get your permit! Enjoy the freedom of your teenage years and live your life to the fullest. I know it's hard but the more you get out and enjoy yourself, the easier things will get! My teenage years were the best of my life. I was emetophobic but not as bad as I am now. Getting my lisence was the best day of my life and I loved every second of the freedom!

[popdodle]

Thank you for your response. And yah thats pretty much where myl ifes at right now. And therapy i have gone to . Ive gone to pretty much every where i can go in the Hershey - Pennsylvania area, and none have been helpful. And with the permit i would love to get it but the 2 times ive went to go i was missing a paper. then the line was a 4 hour wait. And i just can stay out for more then like 2 hours =/ . But thank you for your input. glad to know theres other people out there.

[orton99]

I think you've made a very good start, as you're doing exactly what you should be doing to overcome any phobia, ie stopping all the avoiding behaviours as they're what keep the phobia in place. It always feels very safe to, say, wash your hands endlessly or never watch a scene in a film where someone's sick, but it's actually just a cruel illusion, as all you're doing is to embed the phobia a bit more each time as you're telling your sub conscious that there is something to be scared of because you're taking special precautions to avoid it.

I posted on a similar thread earlier this week and made an analogy with the myth of the Sirens, luring unwary sailors to their deaths on the rocks. The "Sirens" (avoiding behaviours) may seem tempting but they aren't really there, while the jagged rocks of the phobia are unfortunately all too real and if you're not careful your peace of mind will come to grief on them!

As to what you try next, I'd suggest you think about all the things you do differently that you know people who don't have this phobia don't do and focus your efforts there. After all, in a sense the avoiding behaviours are the phobia, so you're really getting to the crux of it.

[Tasha'93]

I honestly do know how you feel, it's awful. I'm 17 and should be out partying and spending time with friends but I just dont do that. I find myself sitting in on a friday/saturday night watching whatever crap is on TV because I just dont see the appeal in going out. I used to love going out and like yourself used to be really sociable but the phobia has taken it's toll and actually rules my life now.

Like Cupcake said above, try and look into getting some therapy, do some research on which therapists in your area are the best ones & also maybe write a letter or call them or even look on websites to see which ones specialise in Emetophobia, if there are any. There is help out there, I know deep down this can be helped and with the correct help anyone can be on the right path to recovery.

PS - I just got my therapy date through today, so i'm really happy & looking forward now. That could be you

[orton99]

I honestly do know how you feel, it's awful. I'm 17 and should be out partying and spending time with friends but I just dont do that. I find myself sitting in on a friday/saturday night watching whatever crap is on TV because I just dont see the appeal in going out. I used to love going out and like yourself used to be really sociable but the phobia has taken it's toll and actually rules my life now.

Like Cupcake said above, try and look into getting some therapy, do some research on which therapists in your area are the best ones & also maybe write a letter or call them or even look on websites to see which ones specialise in Emetophobia, if there are any. There is help out there, I know deep down this can be helped and with the correct help anyone can be on the right path to recovery.

PS - I just got my therapy date through today, so i'm really happy & looking forward now. That could be you

Glad you've got your therapy date through! (Still don't have mine yet... When is it?

[Tasha'93]

Glad you've got your therapy date through! (Still don't have mine yet... When is it?

May 31st I got the letter though this morning, I'm glad because at least it's a step forward now! & you will do eventually, it does take time & seems like you're waiting forever but it'll come, hopefully soon!