New and Need Help

[anewday]

Emtophobia has absolutely taken over me. I have had it my entire life but it has never been so bad, so glad I have found a place where other people understand. My rituals are absolutely out of control, I spend my entire life worrying about this and worrying about the people around me. Sometimes I am scared to leave my house and I have to wash my hands ten times...always. I sanitize everything and everyone looks at me like I am crazy. Any time I hear or see anything that has to do with a stomach it’s like an antenna goes up inside of me. I have worked on this a little bit with my counselor but nothing helps, it only gets me thinking about it even more. I don’t know how to go on like this; anyone who feels like me knows this is no way to live. HELP?!

[bebzorg]

when i started therapy for this phobia it did get worse because i had to focus on it and document all these thoughts but if you stick with it you will eventually desensitize yourself to those thoughts and emotions. i think you should countinue with councelling and coming here for support. everyone here has been very helpful to me. even if i just read the posts it makes me feel better.

[JellyBn83]

Keep going with therapy!!!!! I am starting with my CBT and I didn't think it was working, but today I did things without even thinking and I haven't done that in a LONG time!! It will be hard at the beginning talking about with them, but keep your eye on your goal, to not be a prison in your own mind! It takes talking about it to get through it. I know that this board helped me a lot and I still make my panic posts, but you are not alone!