Emetophobia is something like the third most common phobia, yet there is very little "out there" about it and it's never included in any self-help program or book. In fact, you'd have a better chance at winning the lottery than finding a therapist who specializes (or is even familiar with) this particular problem, yet it can be as debilitating as any of the more talked about phobias and sometimes moreso because it can't be treated like other phobias. How does one do desensitization/exposure therapy for emetophobia? How does one vomit in steps and gradually? And speaking from experience, vomiting does nothing to "cure" this. In fact, it often makes it worse.

I have been struggling with panic disorder for over 20 years and it took me YEARS to figure out that emetophobia is the cause of my agoraphobia and all my other anxiety problems. I strongly believe that if I could eliminate this phobia, everything else would go with it and I could have a (reasonably) normal life.

So what about adding an emetophobia forum?

WOW a Emetophobia forum. That sounds scarey to sombody that has it. Just the mere thought of it is making my tummy jump. Could this forum help ppl like me or make me worse?

I guess I should have introduced myself before posting this thread, since I'm new here.

I'm a 43 year old single mother (separated 5 years). I have struggled with panic attacks, emetophobia and agoraphobia for over 20 years.

I have been on a roller-coaster of getting better, getting worse, getting better again, and so on. I'm sure some of you can relate.

Life circumstances have made it almost impossible to make or sustain any real progress for very long - I'm working on that.

What else? I'm Canadian, eh?

I have this phobia. I tried desensitization, which included watching movies or tv where people vomited. My whole family had the flu last month and I tried to look at the positive that this was going to help me recover but it just made me want to run. I never got comfortable with it. Now I have a stomach disorder which causes constant nausea, even on antiemetics. Its made my fear more intense and more real. This is no fun. My fear of vomiting caused me to be agoraphobic as well. I think about it 100 times a day.
I'm going to start prozac this weekend to see if it helps with my obsessive thoughts.
Best of luck to you.

PLEASE someone provide some guidance with this, this is one of my number one fears....causing me to leave work 'sick' more than once for fear of vomitting & embarrassing myself in front of my co-workers. Now I also worry what my boss thinks because I take more thime off than pretty much anyone else. Is there any way to conquer this?

DS,

I do the same thing - take time off work because I'm afraid I "might" vomit.

I haven't yet found a way to conquer this. I "cope" by not eating much, if anything, at work. My reasoning is that if there's nothing in my stomach, I can't throw up - not true, I know, because the dry heaves can be worse (so I've heard).

As I said in my original post in this thread, there is virtually ZERO help for those of us who are debilitated by this phobia.

Hey Guys! Yes I'm in the emetophobia club. I've had it for 5 years but didn't figure out that that was what it was for 2 years. Anyways I have done alot of research and I may be able to provide some information to help you guys. I'm going to get a little package together and those who want it just email me and I will send it to you. Emetophobia isn't fun but it isn't the worst fear because it can be overcome. I am speaking from experience this phobia has at time disabled me from doing much of anything little by little with the program and with other techniques I have been overcoming it to the point that now when I'm nauseous I'm like ok it's not big deal lets do this. Of course I have my brain trained not to vomit and I wont but I can relate with every single one of you. I have gotten soo much better in the last few years. Email me if you'd like dniceangel7@yahoo.com

SEE what happens. I am on the major verge of a full blown panic attack explosion. My son just started throwing up last night. It is coming to get me. he woke us up at 1am My tummy started to turn and I didnt sleep anymore. just panic panic. I wish that there was a cure. Isla please send it to mee too tmking7@sbcglobal.net.

quote:

but it isn't the worst fear

*gasp!* Bite your tongue! It IS the worst fear in the world! lol

Seriously though, everyone's phobia is THE worst fear to them, isn't it? Otherwise they wouldn't be debilitated by it... whatever "it" is.

You seriously overcame this phobia?? WOW. I'm interested in your package (that didn't sound right). My email is mybr0kensmile@yahoo.com.

No I have not 100% overcome this phobia yet. However I am about 75% better than I used to be about it. I've really just helped my self by doing research on the body and the process of vomit and what makes people vomit etc... Also this program has helped me so that when trigger situations that normally would of caused me to panic happen I can take them in stride and be relaxed. Accomplishments in the last year: Started driving ALONE again. Stayed home alone a few times. I am eating no no foods like PIZZA and Sauces and things I normally would't of eaten bc I thought I would of thrown up. I can see vomit on the floor and it make me a bit queasy but I get over it. Things like that. You are right it is a terrible fear. But lets not give it too much power by admitting it.

Holy bejeezus I thought I was the only adult who had this fear! You mean it's a real legitimate phobia? Taht makes me feel a little less weird.

Does anybody know what to do about it and how do you pronounce emetophobia?

Frequently asked questions about Emetophobia:
http://faq.emetophobia.net/emetophobia.html

International Emetophobia Society
www.emetophobia.org
over 6,000 members