Exposure therapy is often used to treat phobias. It can be used along with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, medications, Hypnotherapy etc. and has been proven to be a successful method of treatment. It’s a little bit more tricky when it comes to emetophobia however, it’s very different to other specific phobias and therefore needs to be treated differently. There are two key elements for exposure therapy to be successful. The patient needs to have an escape route, and also needs a sense of control over the situation.

For someone with a common phobia such as heights, they will need to feel in control of the situation. They will be in control of how high they go, who goes with them, how slowly they progress, and their environment just to name a few. Being in control of the situation will mean they will be more comfortable going outside their comfort zone and go to new heights. They will also need an escape route. They will need to know that they can get back down easily without any trouble if things become too difficult. This will lessen the pressure of the situation and they will be more willing to take risks.

For an emetophobe, part of the fear stems from a lack of control. They can control the initial stages of saying trigger words, and seeing pictures and videos, but beyond that, there is no control. Even if someone else is sick, there is no way of controlling how much comes out, what it consists of, how much pain/build up is experienced, where it happens, who you’re with, how long it lasts for etc. There is also no escape route. Anti nausea medications can help but ultimately, if you feel nauseous, you’re either going to be sick, or you have to wait it out in complete suspense and panic. The patient will generally end up being retraumatised if exposed to too much as it will remind them of a lack of control and escape routes.

Often people say “you just need a good vomit and you’ll realise it’s all okay”. I know that. I know that it’s not that bad, however, it still lead to me being traumatised all over again. There are some fortunate people where a good vomit will literally just cure them straight away, but for most people, it doesn’t help at all. I strongly believe that there is another method out there which would prove effective for emetophobes. It doesn’t get talked about a lot though, people are often embarrassed for not seeing people, or eating out, or travelling and will often make up another excuse. Because of this, people do not realise just how common this phobia is, and therefore how much research needs to be done.

It’s a painful truth however I’ve accepted the treatment methods I do have available, and I’m praying that one of them works one day.

Larne

P.S. I even find my featured photo quite triggering even though it’s just a damn toilet. The joys of exposure..