Success story!

[angel13]

Hi all! I'm sure you guys don't remember me - I haven't been active since '05/'06, but if my name DOES ring a bell, then hooray!

I'm just dropping in to let you all know how I've been doing in my absence. The answer...better than ever 2007 and 2008 have possibly been the best years of my life. I got out, had fun, ate whatever the heck I wanted, went to new places, concerts, festivals, movies, etc. The last thing I thought about was my emet. And the weird thing is...? I didn't need to. Not once in my adventures did I feel n*, or contract some horrible strain of gastro, or ANYTHING. This has helped me realise in a big way that the constant day-to-day anxiety I used to feel was completely in vain. I was worrying about something that had such a slim chance of actually happening. When you have emet, you feel as if everything you do is a risk, as if the chance of "it" happening is forever looming. It really isn't [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

I wouldn’t say I’m completely cured. I still haven’t v*d in 12+ years, and no doubt I would suffer one spectacular panic attack if I knew it was going to happen. But when I refer to my “Success Story”, I like to think more of beating the debilitating anxiety. I still have a phobia, but I’m able to forget all about it for weeks on end. I’ll have a panic attack once every few months (think I've had 1-2 so far this year, and I got over them easily enough), but other than that…I’m finally leading a normal life.

Thanks for everything, IES. I confess, being away from this site probably did me a lot of good. However, coming here initially was what allowed me to understand what this phobia was in the first place, and communicating with fellow sufferers gave me so much strength and inspiration to then go away and try to beat it.

As proof of how much progress I've made, I'm booked for 2 flights next year - one interstate, and one overseas to the UK to see family and friends. I have never flown before [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] Naturally I'm starting to have some emetophobe-ish thoughts about the whole deal, but if any flyers out there have any words of wisdom for me, I'm all ears! I know I can do this.

PS. Sorry if I've put this in the wrong section, I've forgotten the rules of this place, LOL.

[xmdslatx]

Congrats.It's good for me to hear such stories.for me, it seems like i will never get over it, but when i see things like this, i just might lead a semi normal life again.

as for advice for the plane, don't let anxiety get the best of you.my last plane trip was complete HELL because my anxiety was so high.Before i had this phobia, i LOVED plane rides.

it might be a good idea to buy Dramamine or something *just in case* you might have motion sickness (your flight is a bit long) but i honestly have never had motion sickness even when i had a full blown panic attack on the plane lol.

i have never v* on it and have never heard anyone v*...ever.

it actually doesn't even feel like anything while flying unless you hit a air pocket (they don't feel bad)

the biggest thing that made me freak out last time was the take off.my advice for that is to just sit back, close your eyes and relax because the weird feeling passes quickly.


it's not such a big deal..my obsessive mind just makes it one lol.


have fun.

[mason14]

Wow! That's such great news. Good for you! I can't offer any support on the airplane deal since I've not flown since I was 5 but I do have a question...How did you get the courage to just start living life and pushing the phobia to the back of your mind. I have so many big dreams and ideas of what I want to do with my life but I just can't get the positive motivation to get up everyday and start doing it. My life revolves around this dumb phobia and I don't know how to take the steps to day by day fight the anxiety. Did you seek therapy?

[angel13]

Thanks for your responses, both of you [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] It's nice to see you guys holding hope for getting through this, because you will!

mason: I had one single session with a therapist one day, more about my anxiety than anything else. She was wonderful, and something she said has stuck with me ever since: she asked me the one thing I was always doing when I was in the middle of a panic attack. I was absolutely clueless, when she answered for me. Thinking. And it's true: your negative thoughts are your very worst enemy. It's amazing, the power your mind has over your body. I wish I could give some more solid advice about how to "stop" thinking and causing yourself so much stress. For me...it was placing life before my phobia, as hard as that sounds. I took a real interest in doing things which distracted me from worrying. And it worked. I never feel uneasy these days, even in situations where I could be at risk. I go out with friends, I stay at people's houses, I drink, I eat whatever I want...it sounds silly, I know, talking about simply "forgetting" the whole thing, but you'll be surprised how easy it can be once you start!

The thing to remember is that you CAN control these horrible thoughts. Don't be disheartened if you can't do it right away. It will get easier, honestly it will [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] Good luck, mason!

[jsloan]

Thank you for that!!! It means alot today. Thanks for everything.

[emeteraser]

Wow, congrats! I don't have any plane specific emet advice either unfortunately.

Jillian

[abbey_16]

wow thats amazing im so glad you are a lot better it gives people like us that are struggling EVERY day hope.. im so bad now and i hate it i have flown about 6/7 times and every time had no probelms at all if you get time next time your on pm me please xxx