Overcoming Severe Emetophobia
Overcoming Severe Emetophobia - "I was told by NHS mental health services I'm too severe to ever be cured of my phobias"
This is the very lovely Jen. She had two other other phobias as well as her SEVERE emetophobia. We exchanged a few messages when she was going through The Emetophobia-free Programme in 2017 and was really struggling.
Jen was told by the NHS that she'd never overcome such severe emetophobia - but now she's over it!
She is happy for me to post some of her comments here:
"I was told by NHS mental health services I'm too severe to ever be cured of my phobias"
"...Spent all the money I had on doing this with an NHS consultant and 8 weeks on still struggling with emet more than I ever have before. When I started this course my GP had "diagnosed" me with a breakdown. Had been bed bound for four months. Wasn't eating solid food etc. Can you still be so confident that I can reach a cure? My hope is fading. I blog about this programme and my progress. I shout out about it to anyone and everyone. I believe in this thing, I do. It has taught me so much and I know it will set me up for life but my symptoms are still so present. This programme is my last hope but now my sessions with the consultant are technically over, where am I going wrong that I'm not "cured"?"
"...can imagine my slight concern that I'm no where near where I wanted to be, that elusive "cure"!"
"...I was putting in too much effort before I had the knowledge and beliefs to put effort in the right place so I was having a good few days and then crashing again. I watched your PACE video which helped. My own perfectionism was putting too much pressure on me to be 100% better."
"Sorry for messaging. Just worried as I was told by NHS mental health services I'm too severe to ever be cured of my phobias (diagnosed with three), and this thrive programme is my last hope. My last chance to say to them eff you, you're wrong."
The struggles Jen refers to are very common when attempting to overcome major phobias and anxieties - particularly a phobia as bad/difficult as emetophobia. Emetophobia is a pathological fear of being sick and vomit, or watching others being sick. It's sometimes called 'vomit phobia' and SPOV (specific fear of vomiting). Jen had severe emetophobia but many people experience the phobia differently - we developed an Emetophobia Severity Scale to help probe the different symptoms sufferers may experience - take it to see where you sit.
Jen persevered with The Thrive Programme - with the help of one of our expert Thrive Coaches - and has now overcome emetophobia.
You can read more about Jen's journey with Thrive Programme Coach Cara Mason by clicking the link here.
Jen was told by the NHS that she would never be able to overcome her severe emetophobia - but now she's over it! Would you like to overcome yours?
