I'd like to hear some success stories

[nonierobyn]

I'm new to this forum. I'm 61 and this is going to be my year of recovery I hope. I've had this rotten phobia since I was 5 or 6, and although I've tried several times to get better, I haven't had any success. I have now purchased the Recovery system, I'm working through the Exposures on Sage's site (thank you so much Sage - your site is AWESOME) and I have also purchased '"Cure Your Emetophobia and Thrive". I'm seeing a therapist fortnightly and I'm really determined to make it work this time. I think it would be helpful to hear some stories of recovery or at least progress to give me (and others) some hope that it can actually be done. Having tried and failed before I'm looking for inspiration from others on this site.
The last time I V** I was 11, so that's a 50 year streak! Must be some kind of record

[Erin80]

Oh my gosh - 50 years, that's incredible! Do you have kids?

[nonierobyn]

I have 2 grown-up kids and 2 young grandchildren. The grand-kids are the main motivation for me to resolve my phobia, as I do a lot of babysitting.

[andee]

Welcome to the forum...so glad to have your "experience" on here. Hoping this site will help you. There are some success stories here, but unfortunately not a lot. But we all come from different backgrounds with all different levels of this fear, and there are some great people here to just post and chat with. Take care!

[AoD]

Wow, have to say, 50 years is impressive indeed and with kids, too. Gives me some hope that I might be able to achieve the same! As for success stories, mine is partial. I'm still not 100% over the fear, but I have made major improvements over the years (I've had this phobia for as long as I can remember and I've had some very difficult times with it). So far, even without any therapy or programs, I now manage to live a pretty normal life (except when someone randomly v* right next to me when I don't expect it at all). I hope the program will work well for you!

[NicManri]

My gosh 50 years! Has your phobia had years where it's gotten better? My phobia hasn't been very bad up until the last two year. I haven't had an SV since I was a child (I'm 26 now) and feel like my time is running out and I'm due to get one. In my teens and early 20s I only freaked out if someone was sick and I've always had some issues with food. I'd love to be at that point again, not worrying every single day.

[nonierobyn]

Well, I've been exposed to viruses over the years (I was a primary school teacher) but I've never had a full-blown sv myself, even when my kids were little. I believe that some of us are less susceptible than others ( I say this with my fingers crossed). I still worry about being exposed to stomach viruses and I feel panic when I feel sick, but I think my body reacts differently to any virus that I encounter, and I fight against v* so hard that I win. I have a major problem when people around me are sick.

[gumdropper1]

Welcome, Nonie. Your streak is impressive; even longer than mine. But the record that I know if is 78 years, held by a man I'm in another emet group with.

I suggest you read my site (I don't think you can see the link until you have made 10 posts): http://emetophobia.byethost15.com/

[nonierobyn]

Wow, 78 years, that's something to aim for. I'm hoping that one day I won't be counting the years because I'll be able to cope if I do happen to v*. I'm looking forward to visiting your site.

[ewilkins]

Wow, 50 years. Very impressive! Welcome to the site. It's great to know that there are others out there who feel the same way. And Doug....78 years??? Holy crap. Gives me the inspiration I need to know that maybe I can live the rest of my life without ever v again.

[KaydeeJayde]

Wow, 50 years. Very impressive! Welcome to the site. It's great to know that there are others out there who feel the same way. And Doug....78 years??? Holy crap. Gives me the inspiration I need to know that maybe I can live the rest of my life without ever v again.

I'd much rather be able to vomit without issue than never vomit again.

I guess I'm a success story, though I don't really like thinking about myself that way.

I'm 23 now, and I first realised I was emet (maybe that there was a name for it) when I was about 13 or 14, and realised that I was okay with vomiting myself, but if someone vomited NEAR me I was really upset. Quick note, this didn't make it any easier to beat, because a lot of people on here think that only being afraid of others vomiting is easier to conquer, but that's just not true, they're equally as difficult. It started out that I would only get anxious when someone was actually vomiting near me, and then it progressed to me being afraid at the possibility of someone vomiting near me… THEN it progressed to freaking out the second someone just didn't look right, it got so bad I couldn't really leave home without a huge panic attack, I was in a really bad way, to be honest.

Things in my personal life weren't great, family wasn't doing so well, my studies were suffering something shocking. I got to 20 years old and I was absolutely a wreck. I was self harming, I just wanted to die, to be honest.

It took me about three years, but I finally worked my way out of the hole that I was in. I did lots of therapy. Counselling, hypnotherapy, psychologists, all kinds of things. And it was HARD, it was really hard, but it's been SO worth the hard work. I don't have daily panic attacks anymore, I don't worry 100% of the time whether someone is going to vomit near me, and if they DID vomit near me, really, so what? It'd be unpleasant for a bit but then I'd be fine.

I've even gotten a job where having to deal with vomit is pretty much guaranteed at some point.

I'm so proud of myself, and I'm so glad I did the hard work to get through it. And if I can do it, ANYONE can do it

[nonierobyn]

Thank you for your inspiring message. I really hope to be where you are soon, but after a lifetime of fear and avoidance I don't expect my recovery to be speedy. I really feel that hearing about other peoples'successes is helpful for me because I have felt that I will most likely have this debilitating fear for the rest of my life, but knowing that others have overcome it makes me feel hopeful. If you can, we all can, with lots of help and determination. I'm so sick of my life being restricted by my internal fears.

[KaydeeJayde]

Don't worry about how long it will take. However long it takes, it'll be so worth it when you've done it. And it is an ongoing process, I still struggle sometimes, but I'm so much better than I used to be, and I feel so happy now, I'd love to see other people here doing the same things for themselves. If you need any help/advice/anything, please feel free to send me a message

[Syrup]

When I was a kid I was TERRIFIED of v*ing. I would lie awake at night and bite my arm to stop myself from gagging praying that I wouldn't v*. I went to doctors a lot as I was often calling my parents to pick me up from school convinced that I was going to be ill. I'm not sure what happened but my parents got really frustrated with me, promised me that I wasn't sick and I forgot about it. I did eventually get a virus, but I never worried about it again. I went for about 20 years without giving it another thought. Then my 2nd son was born. During his first year my youngest caught a sv*. It wasn't his first nor was it the worst he's ever had but it flipped the switch again. I am no longer worried about it affecting me but my kids. I'm not sure why it resurfaced, but HONESTLY for those 20 years I could CARE LESS about v*ing. It never crossed my mind. When other people did I thought nothing about it. In fact, that was why I caught one finally. My coworker was sick at work. Actively v*ing. I thought it was funny. I helped her in the bathroom, didn't wash my hands and continued to work. Then I caught it. I didn't worry at all, in fact I was happy when I woke up to call in sick to work. I hadn't been sick with ANYTHING in at least 15 years. So I know it's possible. SV's AREN'T a big deal. They just aren't. You can do it!!!! Press on!

[nonierobyn]

Thanks for the advice. I tell myself all the time that it's not a big deal, and I believe myself...until I'm actually faced with it! Then I'm right back to my usual shaking self. I'm hoping that with enough positive affirmations and by visualising positive outcomes that my thinking will change... I'm trying to eliminate all negative thoughts but it's really tough!