Recovery is possible
I don't really come on here anymore, but I thought I would post about my progress for some inspiration.
I have been in therapy/doing exposure on and off for just over a year (I had a baby and had to take some time off in between). When I first started I couldn't even look at a picture of vomit without having to run away and have a panic attack. I was anxious when a baby spit up. I would freak out if I saw vomit out in public.
Now...
- I can look at pictures no problem, even the most graphic ones on rate my vomit.
- I watch it in movies without covering my eyes and ears. If the scene is because they are dying or very ill I still feel anxiety but if it's just stupid drunken puking I actually LAUGH at it!
- I can look at a pile of vomit on the ground and feel no anxiety
-Spit up is nothing to me now
- My daughter has had 2 stomach bugs this year. The first time I felt anxious but faced it and cleaned her up and kept her company. The second time it was like no big deal. All I felt was sorry for her.
- If I hear puking noises out in public I don't rush to cover my ears
-Yesterday my husband's best friend said he felt like he was coming down with a stomach bug. Instead of demanding to go home I continued on our day with them and even let my daughter eat food off his plate that he had touched.
The progress I've seen just fuels more progress because every time I face something it's less scary the next time and it's worth it to me to keep trying knowing that I'll face less fear in my every day life. Now we're trying to work on my own fear of being sick which means exposing myself to nausea without trying to make myself feel better (with mint or water or sea bands). Every time you face it you get a little closer to recovery and every time you avoid it you enforce your emet and make the fear stronger.
I see full recovery in the next couple of years. I'm realizing it will be possible to view vomiting as an unpleasant but not terrifying part of life the way dentists and colds and bee stings are. Sure you don't WANT to be sick but you do it, get over it and get on with enjoying life.
Recovery is possible for all of us.
Last edited by sage; 10-03-2010 at 04:03 PM.
"If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace."- Thomas Paine