Emetophobia (Fear of Vomiting) advice.

[MadMac]

Hi.

This is my first post to the forum and I am looking for some ideas or insight into how to deal with my emetophobia which is a phobia of vomiting.

I've searched these forums and haven't found a thread on it. I hope I did it right and I'm not duplicating anything. I have also searched the web for years trying to figure out a way out of this phobia but all I get are hokey "cure all" websites that want money before you will hear any type of "cure".

Anyway, I have had this practically all my life. I can remember being SO scared of throwing up as a kid. But really only in the past decade has it gripped my life so hard that it has actually turned into a form of agoraphobia. I can't travel more than 4-5 miles away from home without starting to get panic attacks with fear of throwing up or panicking.

It has ruined career possibillities and numerous relationships. It's about to ruin another one.

I recently aquired The Secret in book form and plan to grab the DVD when I can. I have known all my life that the reason I have this phobia is all because of how I think. Obviously thought creates the fear and panic so thought can get rid of the fear and panic right? But how do I do that?

I've seen a few therapists with really no results (except for a slimmer wallet). I have yet to try hypnotherapy, but I hear it can be hard and time consuming to find "the right one".

This forum has the most common sense I have read in any forum. It has the most down to earth members. I feel positive that this will be a good place to ask this and I know I will get some great advice.

Thanks for reading.

Chris.

[Antiventurecapital]

Try tapping the accupuncture pressure points.

Google "EFT" or Emotional Freedom Therapy. I first heard of it somewhere in this thread. The links to a demo you can do should be in there somewhere. I have been using it do rid myself of a fear of heights.

Practitioner Brad Yates is really good.

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by MadMac

Obviously thought creates the fear and panic so thought can get rid of the fear and panic right? But how do I do that?

A thought is just a thought. If you let your thoughts come and go, there is no problem. When you judge or push away your thoughts your emotional body will signal something is amiss (fear/panic). Ignore the emotional body and your physical body will then send you a message.

Chris, when you're having your phobia, do you actually feel like vomiting? The queasy stomach, maybe slight vertigo feeling? Or do you just fear that you will vomit without having any physical symptoms of nausea?

[MadMac]

Thank you for your replies. For Dharma, yes my stomach does get upset with the regular symptoms of a panic attack (disconnected feeling, nausea, sweaty cold hands and feet, etc). I know I bring on the panic because I am afraid of getting another panic attack in the first place. But it all boils down to vomiting. My worse fear is vomiting and since panic attacks make me feel nauseous, thats why I am fearful of them.

I ONLY feel "comfortable" being sick at home. Anywhere else, even a slight stomach upset (sometime gas or even hunger feeling) I start to get panicky. The further away from my safe place (home) the faster the panic sets in. Hence not traveling.

Antiventurecapital: Has the EFT helped? I have done some reading on it but the skeptic in me took over and I stopped reading.

[Holistic Star]

I'm pretty sure on one of the training videos for EFT they discuss a case of successfully treating emetophobia with EFT.

I've not used EFT for that particular phobia with a client myself, however I have used it successfully with clients with other phobias (e.g. spiders, public speaking, clowns, panic attacks) so believe it is a route that is worth investigating in your case.

Yes it seems weird, yes it is way removed from our usual every day experience - yet it can be very successful.

One thing, my advice is to work with a practitioner when dealing with a phobia, just in case it brings something up that you aren't expecting. (It's unlikely, but it's worth erring on the side of caution). If you can't find a practitioner near you then at the very least find one that works over the phone, or a friend that has read the principles of EFT that can be with you.

I really wish you all the best in getting your life back. Please contact me if you have any questions that you need help with

[Dharma]

I've never read about EFT so I don't know if it's hokey or not, but part of what you need to work on IS in the emotional body. Many people on this forum talk highly of EFT, so I would definitely look into it.

There is also work to be done in your mental body too. I assume during a panic attack there is really nothing to panic about in your outside physical environment. You are reacting to a reality in the emotional or mental body.

You are reacting to what could happen or to what could go wrong. And that thought is in the future, a place where there is no power to act or change the moment.

That thought about the future is pushed away, more thoughts are added about the possibility of vomiting in the future, and those thoughts are pushed away as well. Now the emotional body will react with some undesirable feeling in the belly if you let this go on too long. And if you ignore that, it will go physical. Do you actually ever vomit? How do you feel after that? Relieved? Victimized?

The next time you feel like vomiting or the next time you start feeling a panic attack coming on or you feel some rumbling in your belly, say to yourself, "I am having this feeling now to remind me I am not in the present moment with my thoughts and/or feelings. What do I feel emotionally now? What are my thoughts now?" You may want to write this on a piece of paper and keep it in your pocket.

The feeling in the belly is the emotional body raising a big flag so you will notice what is going on inside you in the moment. Its not there to embarrass you or punish you. It is actually supporting you in getting over this phobia. Take a cue from it and stop what you are doing and see where you are at inside.

This is a first step.

If you need support for being in the moment with yourself, I recommend Eckhart Tolle's "Power of Now", either the book or the CDs.

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by MadMac

Thank you for your replies. For Dharma, yes my stomach does get upset with the regular symptoms of a panic attack (disconnected feeling, nausea, sweaty cold hands and feet, etc). I know I bring on the panic because I am afraid of getting another panic attack in the first place. But it all boils down to vomiting. My worse fear is vomiting and since panic attacks make me feel nauseous, thats why I am fearful of them.

I ONLY feel "comfortable" being sick at home. Anywhere else, even a slight stomach upset (sometime gas or even hunger feeling) I start to get panicky. The further away from my safe place (home) the faster the panic sets in. Hence not traveling.

Antiventurecapital: Has the EFT helped? I have done some reading on it but the skeptic in me took over and I stopped reading.

Yes, it has helped. It takes about month of one or two daily 10 minute sessions to rid yourself of a problem. After you learn how to use it properly, you can do it discreetly anywhere when you need to. The author is a medical doctor who appeared on Larry King with The Secret crew last fall.

[Megan]

MadMac, yes, I agree EFT is your best bet. I developed a crippling cougar phobia last October after I heard one nearby one night. It was taking over my thinking there for awhile.

I resisted doing EFT, because I didn't want to be not afraid of something dangerous. But eventually I got rational enough to brave doing the EFT.

EFT is strange. You won't think anything is happening, and if something shifts, you'll just think it happened by itself if you even notice it at all. That's how subtle and gentle it is.

So, I did the EFT and, you know, weeks later it occurred to me that I was walking out the door without fearfully scanning the trees, the roof and under the shed. It just sort of gently dissolves things.

One insight I had was that the cougar phobia was symbolic of other fears which were sort of bundled with it, and it was their "spokesperson," if you see what I mean.

I have also suffered from a vomiting phobia, though not as severe as yours, and mine was a fear of vomiting in my not-very-nurturing therapist's office. I would carry a plastic bag in my purse and want to sit by a waste basket, and obsess about whether I could get to a bathroom in time.

I had childhood abuse issues that felt like they were about to explode out of me, and I didn't feel safe enough with the therapist to talk about them, so I kind of shifted all that to the vomiting phobia, sort of like I shifted several scary things on to the cougar phobia.

To me, the vomiting thing was about having stuffed as many feelings as one mortal could stuff and knowing that they could erupt uncontrollably at any time if I wasn't very watchful and controlling.

Network Chiropractic gave me some good relief back then, while the therapist only made me worse. In addition, I learned from Network Chiropractic how to trust my body to work out these things in the privacy of my home, because our bodies really do know how to heal themselves.

Through Network I got the freedom to let myself make any noises or contortions that my body needed to make in order to shake off this dissonant energy I was stuffed with. I would likely be dead if I hadn't learned that.

So, don't judge your body; it knows what to do, and it's signalling you through the phobia that it wants to talk to you, I would imagine.

Also, if you want some of us to do surrogate EFT for you, we can.

All best wishes,

Megan

[bellbird]

Chris/Madmac, good on you for working on your goal to live without vomit anxiety but to enjoy life regardless. First steps are the hardest. I have no experience with EFT but by the sound of it, boy I wish I did know about it when I had anxiety attacks during my depression when I was 17-19 years old. My issue was being on a bus and not being able to get off when I wanted to. Crowded busses used to drive up me up the wall I found it hard to leave my home sometimes as I dreaded going to college and having to leave halfway through because all the people and the amfi theatre got on my nerves. I didn't feel safe there. Gradually I started taking babysteps outside my comfortzone and going from there. I changed directions in artschool which helped me heaps in finding my way and meeting nice and inspring people who didn't judge me. I was able to relax more and to understand myself better and why I was feeling the way I was.
I think time for me has cured it along with growing up and deciding I didn't want to feel like a victim anymore. (That and soem medication for depression) My psychologist was a silly woman, who had no clue whatsoever. I went to a psychiatrist who was a great help in making me feel normal. I realised as well that depression runs in the family and to see I wasn't the only one coping with things was good.
Long story short: I now notice when a trigger comes a long and I don't let it run with me. It rarely happens anyway and to me it's a sign I need to slow down a bit and put two feet firmly on the ground, returning to centre.

I think my biggest jump was from being afraid to face the world to emigrating and starting jobs in a strange country. Basically facing the music is the best tool but start small first. Because I know I have grown so much it has helped my confidence a lot. I also found books from Susan Jeffers very helpful as I use her book as my emotional 'bible' whenever I feel a bit confused. (Dancing with life) It helps me remember what to focus on and what to be grateful for. I now realise when it's my 'lower self' yabbering and without judgement I can just let it be and it dissolves. Huraaaah life is great (even though sometimes it might not look it) Anyway, I hope it might be of any help to you.

PS: I'm not saying that it is appropriate for you but sometimes it can help to actualy do what you are afraid of... is the vomiting representing something you are afraid off or do you really dislike the whole effect it has? What I found is that the more you resist something and fight it the more struggles you have (wanting to control it). Once I learned to feel wherever I am is ok, I am safe everywhere, my home is anywhere, the anxiety phoby thing loses it's hold. It loses its power untill you find it actually has fizzled out alltogether over time. All the best and let us know how you get on

[MadMac]

Thank you to everyone for your replies! They have given me a few new directions to head in when I thought I was at a stand still.

EFT seems VERY interesting. I've read a couple quick articles and plan to grab a book or two. Any specific books or videos anyone would recommend?

Dharma. One thing that is most common with emetophobics (emetophobes?) is the fact that most have not vomited in many many years. I have read some research that has said emetophobics have a strange knack for controlling the vomiting center of the brain. Where it once was thought vomiting was involuntary, they are finding emetophobics have a very difficult time actually vomiting.

So unfortunately I cannot answer how I feel after I have vomited because I haven't vomited for over 15 years where as I have friends of mine who do it like 3-4 times a year either from illness or drinking too much or just nerves.

The fear is definitely caused by the thoughts of what MAY happen in the future. "What if I start to feel nauseous while driving a certain distance that would take me even longer to get home". Thinking like that starts a chain reaction. It's 100 time worse when there is someone else in the car. I can go further by myself than if I was with someone. Even if it's someone who knows about my phobia.

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by MadMac

EFT seems VERY interesting. I've read a couple quick articles and plan to grab a book or two. Any specific books or videos anyone would recommend?

I highly recommend the EFT course DVDs on Gary Craig's Emofree site - there is a LOT of information on that site, as well. You can download the EFT manual for free, and also sign up for the newsletter. (again, a LOT of info!)

Gassho~

[Megan]

And emofree.com also has a free newletter that you can subscribe to which will keep you inspired.

Click "E-mail" on the blue bar at the top of the page here:

EFT Provides Impressive Health and Emotional Freedom--New Discovery Often Works Where Nothing Else

Also, after you're free as a bird from this phobia, be sure to write to Gary and he'll likely put you in the newsletter so you can be an inspiration to others!

Oops--I see the newletter was already recommended: OK, I second the motion!

[Antiventurecapital]

Nice to hear that others are getting results from EFT too.

[The David]

I also have emetopphobia. It's not severe enough for me to look for treatment; I figure I'll eventually vomit and be done with it all.

I haven't done it in 12 years. I used to think that was an impressive record, until I realized that it's quite common for emetophobes to have long streaks, because they actually forget how to vomit. Also, I am rarely sick enough to do it.

One thing that helped me was watching videos of it on the internet (there is NO SHORTAGE of vomit videos). You've probably built up the experience to something far worse than it actually is, and watching other people do it, and be fine afterwards, may help you put things in perspective.

Catching gastroenteritis may also help, though I wouldn't force anything on yourself. If you're really sick and you end up doing it, you may feel a sense of achievement afterwards that makes you rethink your fear. If you do ipecac, however, or the classic spoon-in-throat, the abruptness of the experience may enhance the phobia.

Good luck.

[arizonagirl1986]

hello my name is Amy i am 21 years old i have had a fear of vomiting for my hole life.i can tell u a little bit about myself like i said i have had this fear of vomiting my hole life and i all so have gp if u want to know more about it u can feel free to ask me what it is i have tryed evey thing to get rid of this fear like acupuncher to hipnonis to countsling being put on meds i have panic attacks deppression i am house bound i dont have a job i live with my very suportive mom and dad because of this fear i am in a sereious relasinship the fear is driving us a part had my dream is to be married and have kids but i cant because i am scared to vomit i have a lot more stuff i cant do if u want to know more u can ask me u can email me at arizonagirl1986@yahoo.com or im me at arizonagirl1986 if any one know what can help me to have a life i never had please contact me or post thanks Amy

[Joely]

I have a friend who had the same problem as yourself, and she went to hypnotherapy. I'd just finished a course of hypnotherapy and found it very effective, so I asked my hypnotherapist for a recommendation in her area. I found my hypnotherapist because I happened to pick up a flyer and decided to give it a try. We're now personal friends.

[arizonagirl1986]

hi joley this is amy i have tryed hipnotharapy i went for a few sestion but it cost us so much for not seeing an results it would give me a day of relife i have tryed to different hipnosis if u have any other sugstions please post back Amy

[Jams]

Hello all! I'm another sufferer of emetaphobia! I'm 23 (24 tomorrow actually ) and i've suffered for as long as i can remember. It was at its worst between the ages of 15-17, i didn't attend school for an entire year because i was so worried about throwing up in front of groups of people. Everywhere i went i obsessively searched for a suitable vomit recepticle, such as a waste bin or bathroom. If there was nothing within short sprinting distance i got totally panicked! It was worst at night time though, most of my past vomiting experiences were of waking up in the night feeling (and being) sick. It got to the point where i was afraid to go to sleep, so i attempted to stay awake forever!! Which was a bit foolish as it wasn't long until the fatigue made me nauseous heheh.

The last time i vomited was when i was 17, and in a weird kind of way i actually have fond memories of it. It was the normal scenario, me having a panic attack pacing up and down the hall way, with my mum sitting on my bed reading questions from a trivia book to me (this was an attempt to distract my mind). Quite unexpectedly it happened, my stomach felt like it was trying to escape out of my throat and a bright orange liquid spewed forth. My clearest memory at this point was my mother, who was in histerics in the other room because i was being such a drama queen and, apparently, making highly comical noises! Apparently i sounded like a mongolian throat singer!! But that fact the she was LAUGHING at my WORST NIGHTMARE trivialised the entire experience in the best possible way, i almost wanted to laugh along with her! Is there any better time for humour, than when your worst fears are coming true?

For a few weeks afterwards i felt pretty free from my phobia, but it has come back to an extent over the years. But one thing i will always remember is that actually vomiting itself, it's not a fraction as bad as the fear and apprehension that precedes it. I still don't take any risks with food - if it's one day past it sell-by-date or isn't quite the colour i'd expect, i won't eat it. And i'm still glad that i'm a man and will probably never experience pregnancy related morning sickness, but i've learned to live with my phobia - accept it's presence and the fact that it's a part of me and probably always will be. I know i'll throw up again in the future and i'm not particularly looking forward to it, but i also know that whatever happens with this phobia, i can cope with it. I've seen the worst of it and it was definately not the big scary beast i thought it was - the world does not end if you throw up!! In fact nothing interesting happens really... I can only hope that the next time it happens i'll be able to look back at it and chuckle to myself as i do now!


At the end of the day, throwing up is just a very basic bodily function designed to get rid of something that doesn't really want to be in there. In that respect it's no different to having a nice big poo

[arizonagirl1986]

hi james i am most likely like u in some ways but i cant cope with my fear how do u cope with it post back Amy

[robertanthony]

National Phobics' Society - NPS Home Page Have a look at this site. It will give you information that may help.

[arizonagirl1986]

robert thanks for the info any thing helps Amy