Fear of Being Sick Solved

I first contacted Paul as I suffered from a number of things – which were really affecting my life.

Low self esteem, social anxiety, no confidence, panic attacks but most of all emetophobia.

All of the above effected my life in a big way.

I wouldn’t eat out unless completely unavoidable, I wouldn’t travel if I wasn’t the driver, I wouldn’t go out on my own or with friends except for lunch break.

I wouldn’t eat new food, I would only trust 2 people to cook for me (my mom and my partners mom) I didn’t go on holiday, I wouldn’t speak in front/to people I didn’t know well face to face.

I would panic to the point where we would nearly have to call an ambulance if I felt poorly, I wouldn’t stay in the house on my own, be around anyone with a bug or who had been in contact with someone who had been poorly and as for babies – that was a no go!… The list could go on forever.

Paul suggested a course of CBT.

With Paul and at home, I worked through my course book completing all exercises and talking through my issues at weekly sessions.

Since I have completed the course – now 8 weeks ago I have improved a lot.

I have completed 2 presentations with work one where my boss drove me to Wycombe and one in my office. Both in front of around 15 people. I didn’t get embarrassed or panic when I felt sick with nerves.

I have been to Leeds for a supplier meeting.

I have been with my Nan through her fight with cancer – even through the sickness!

I have sat with my sister during her morning sickness and my friends children when they had the dreaded winter sickness bug!

I went to a charity comedy night in a packed pub been to the cinema with my partner and Christmas shopping to Merry Hill 3 times (once on my own!). Not once panicking that I couldn’t see the door.

I have even been promoted at work and now run a small team.

I let my partner cook tea and have even started to eat a wider variety of food.

I stay on my own at home when my partner does the night shift and I haven’t had a panic attack in over 3 months.

I have dealt with my own sickness – not being sick but feeling sick.

I have come to learn that my emetophobia is an obsession and by learning new ways of thinking I can overcome it.

I am still not keen on the thought of being sick but I no longer go into complete melt down. I get my hot water bottle, put the TV on and distract myself.

We have even been talking about having children in the new year!

I never thought I would of got this far and if it had not been for the help and support I got from both family, friends and Paul I don’t think I would be where I am now.

Paul makes talking through your problems easy.

He does not judge or call you stupid, he listens and helps you manage your thoughts/beliefs/fears better.

The course was definitely a good choice for me.

I still have things to change and develop and I still work from my book at home but I am getting there – my life has definitely improved for the better.

Miss. J.

Find out about how to beat the Fear of Being Sick (Emetophobia) here.