𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗖𝗗?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder involving a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that result in anxiety or distress, and compulsions are repetitive behaviours that sufferers feel driven to perform in response to the obsessive thoughts, to prevent or reduce the anxiety. OCD severely impacts the sufferers’ ability to lead a normal life.

There are many associated issues that emetophobes also suffer from, and research indicates there is a huge overlap between OCD and emetophobia. Here are some ways you could be experiencing a cross-over:

* Recurrent checking of sell-by-dates

* Recurrent checking whether food is cooked or refrigerated properly

* Rituals in preparing and cooking food

* Preoccupation with their own body: in particular their stomach and bowels and how they’re feeling

* Constant hand washing

* Constant cleaning

* Ongoing need for reassurance

* Unwanted thoughts, such as imagining being sick, when that’s the last thing they want to think of

𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴

The belief you can influence outcomes with your thoughts/actions, despite there not being a direct correlation

* Repeating certain words and phrases to prevent illness

* Worrying that if they think about being sick it’ll happen

* Superstitions, luck and religiosity, for example: ‘if I am a bad person God will punish me by making me sick’ ‘I walked under a ladder which brings bad luck, what if I’m ill now?’

* Putting particular emphasis on items, times and activities from the last time they were ill, even if they’re totally unrelated e.g. not being able to touch the hat they wore on that day, feeling particularly anxious at 11pm because that was the time they were last ill.

With both emetophobes and OCD sufferers there is a need for certainty and control so compulsive behaviours are acted out as a way to gain a feeling of control, often what we call an ‘illusion of control.’ This means they may reassure the sufferer that they are in control, but they do not actually have any real-world impact (which the sufferer does know deep down), for example checking the sell-by-date once vs multiple times.

This is especially true with magical thinking. Magical thinking is underpinned by a belief that their thoughts can influence/control the world around them, but in reality they do not.

If you can relate to this, The Thrive Programme is exactly what you need to get better, and we’ve helped countless people beat both their OCD and emetophobia, Jayne’s testimonial sums this up pretty well!

“I suffered from OCD and emetophobia for over 5 years with a fear of almost everything. I was unable to go to the supermarket, shopping was a major trauma (so I simply ordered online) and slowly I became more and more reluctant to go outside. If possible I would take the safe option of staying in my house as that meant that I didn’t have to face problems or clean everywhere when I returned. I strategically planned all trips before – mapping out any possible scenarios to fully prepare myself or went only to places I considered ‘safe’. I washed clothes at 60 degrees or higher to ensure I removed any contaminants (of course this meant clothes were discoloured and ruined!) My hands looked like those of a 90 year old due to the constant washing, and my skin was terrible due to excessive showering. ‘What if’ was my favourite phrase and cleaning ‘just in case’ was part of my daily routine. Life was really bad and not just for me but for all of those around me. I was desperate to find myself again (the person who loved life, enjoyed going out, was always busy and had lots of friends; things I had slowly lost as OCD gradually crept over me and took over my life).

After finding The Thrive Programme I started to see results within a couple of weeks and things just got better. Every day my life really is getting better and better. My life has changed dramatically. I now go out to the supermarket. I enjoy going shopping and actually prefer to go to the stores rather than shop online. I enjoy doing new things. My hands are looking 100% better! I don’t shower excessively. I don’t wash clothes on temperatures higher than 40 (so all clothes are now looking good). I am rebuilding my life. I look back at some of the things I was doing and I genuinely can’t believe it………..why was I doing those things? Why was I choosing to waste my life, literally ‘washing’ my life away? I look at them and think “it was crazy to be doing that”, yet at the time it was absolutely necessary and normal to me. Not anymore I am happy to say!”

Emetophobia and OCD – written by The Thrive Programme Team