I was diagnosed at the age of six with OCD and a few years ago told that I was also suffering with Emetophobia.
Before this I was told it was just my OCD.
I’m literally petrified of getting vomiting and Diarrhoea.
It literally takes over my life. I can’t eat out without taking my own cutlery, avoid people and certain situations, can’t look or listening at V&D in films etc.
It’s my worst fear getting V&D and I will do anything to stop myself getting it. I have had loads of treatments over the years ranging from CBT, hypnotherapy and most recently Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Which to some of what have helped short term.
I feel such a failure letting this rule my life the way it does! It starting to effect my life and my work.
Written by
Lizzy88
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You are not a failure. You are a brave person who is suffering with something they don't want. No matter how hopeless you might feel right now there is hope and there is a future.
It's awful how something like that can take over your life. In fact, it is rare for anyone to vomit or lose control of their bowels when they are out, unless they are children or drunk.
Don't feel a failure. It's an illness that you have fought hard to overcome, and that in itself deserves credit. Being able to work is in itself an achievement.
Research suggests that the best treatments for OCD are medication and CBT. There is, as far as I know, nothing to suggest that hypnotherapy works for OCD. The problem with CBT is that it can be gruelling and difficult, as I'm sure you already know. I've had a lot of trouble with doing it, though I use the techniques as best I can!
I've found that taking a gentle approach with CBT works best for me. It sounds as though you are already managing to push yourself in being able to work and socialize, however hampered you feel by the emetophobia. Perhaps concentrate on keeping those things in your life and not letting OCD take them from you, and gradually expand what you can do.
Again, don't let OCD bully you into feeling bad about yourself!
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