Podcast : 'Being sick in public would be unbearable,' : Why social anxiety plays a huge part in Emetophobia
This episode highlights a common misconception around social anxiety. It is often thought socially anxious people are shy, reserved and likely to avoid public situations. When in reality social anxiety is often much more subtle.
Examples include: Dreading a phone call, rehearsing what you'll say at the checkout, worrying what others think of how you look, worrying you've said the wrong thing or come across incorrectly, tensing up before a meeting you've attended a hundred times...
Social anxiety is overly worrying what other people think of you. Contrary to common belief you can be confident, bubbly and chatty but still have very high levels of social anxiety.
Today's podcast guest Marta speaks candidly about how her social anxiety very much affected her emetophobia and how overcoming this fear of judgement, embarrassment and losing control in public allowed her to beat her Emetophobia.
Alongside her coach Lisanne, Marta gives three clear pieces of advice for others tackling social anxiety when working to overcome emetophobia:
- Challenge the belief before the situation. Interrogate the negative thought first. If you've told yourself 'People will think I'm weird if I have to leave early,' Does it actually hold up? Where is the evidence? Do this work before stepping into the room.
- Remember we focus on ourselves more than other people. When we're anxious, we can convince ourselves everyone noticed and everyone judged us. Practising the perspective of others (they're mostly thinking about themselves) quietly dismantles a lot of that.
- Reflect on what went well. Actively recall moments from the social situation that went well instead of focusing on what could have gone wrong shifts the evidence your brain is working with over time.
The conversation also covers the link between your self-esteem and social confidence. If you build high self-esteem, you will by default lower your social anxiety. The concepts are inextricably linked and both are key building blocks of Emetophobia that need to be tackled in order to overcome this debilitating fear.
Huge thanks to Marta for taking the time to be with us on the podcast and share her valuable insights into an area of Emetophobia which has yet to be discussed in detail.
This episode is discussion between Marta, Michelle Johnson and Lisanne Prooij
Have you watched our other Emetophobia Podcasts?