Hey everyone
![Smile](images/smilies/smile.png)
,
I just wanted to say that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and things will improve.
I have suffered with this phobia for as long as I can remember, although I wouldn’t say it has completely gone, I have reached a point where I can lead a relatively normal life and do the things I want to do without the phobia holding me back.
During the period of time where it was at its worst I didn’t want to leave my bedroom, I felt isolated and so alone, with no one who truly understood what I was going through, my anxiety levels would rocket when I had to go to class, I couldn’t bear being in crowded places, I wouldn’t eat during the day because it would make me feel sick but I would feel sick from not eating and the viscous circle began, all the anxiety and stress began effecting my heath and I began getting IBS symptoms which made the whole situation worse. However I’d like to leave that phase of my life in the past.
The turning point came when I realised I couldn’t carry on like this. I am extremely determined and ambitious and knew that my mind state and behaviour was going to prevent me from achieving my ambitions, and I’m the type of person who regrets missed opportunities especially ones from this phobia and I’m not going to let this phobia completely take over, no way!
I had to begin by being very brave by doing the things that I knew would take me out of my safety blanket, and get the panic going; I had to break the cycle. So each day I set myself a challenge. For example I would have a slice of dry bread for lunch at school and sure enough this induced the rapid heartbeat, the sweaty palms the nausea stomach cramping etc at this point I knew I had to build up a set of coping mechanisms. I had to be strong and tell the phobia whose boss! I used deep breaths (this is really effective especially for nauseous feelings) and distraction methods such as talking to school mates and trying to take an interest during class (instead of watching the clock counting down until I could get out of the classroom situation)
Then I would continue setting very small challenges until I was able to eat a whole meal during school, then I began eating round the table with my family, then as my confidence began to build I’d go to a restaurant with friends and eventually done the things I wouldn’t have previously dreamed of doing such as going to a theme park!
I learnt a lot from taking myself out of my “emetophobia lifestyle” The most important thing I realised was that a lot of my anxiety was due to over thinking things and too many what ifs such as what if that meat wasn’t cooked properly or what if that door handle was infected with a stomach bug, I came to understand I have to live for the now and worry about the what ifs IF they actually happen which is often very unlikely due to the irrationalness this phobia causes
Of course If I feel really sick, even now, I’d probably panic but know that in these situations where the nausea has taken over the worst thing to do is panic. I just try to relax, take deep breaths, have a mint sweet or ginger tea distract myself and think what is the worst thing that can happen?
I’ve probably rambled on far too much! But throughout this whole journey I felt forums like this have made me reassured me that I’m not the only one going through this, and It saddens me know to hear of people going through what I have gone through because emetophobia is a horrid phobia but it can be beaten, but you have to stay strong, and say I’m not going to let this get the better of me.
I hope this post of use to someone out there, send me a message if you would like any advice or tips and I will try my best to reply
Remember there is help out there and you’re not alone.
Stay strong. Stay positive, and I wish you all the best of luck in overcoming this hurdle x