Help for fear of being sick - Marc's story

Help for fear of being sick - Ex-emetophobe Marc's feedback on The Thrive Programme

Marc is a 14 year old boy who suffered badly from a fear of being sick (emetophobia). After 6/7 sessions of The Thrive Programme, he now has conquered the fear!

He has kindly agreed to answer my questions about his experience of Thrive, and offer any advice that might help you to get better as quickly and fully as possible.

How bad was your emetophobia before you started The Thrive Programme?

My emetophobia was terrible before thrive. I hardly ate anything i didn't like eating any meats at restaurants, i didn't like going to parties or any social events. I would completely avoid them.

What's been your most challenging experience(s) since doing thrive and how did you deal with it/them?

My most challenging experience since doing thrive is when i was at a party and an older girl was sick in the toilet. I found it challenging because i hadn't been in a situation like that since doing thrive. I dealt with it by focusing on something else and soon forgot about it.

What are the main differences now in how you feel?

I feel free. I feel as if i can do what i want, eat what i want and accomplish anything i want to do!

Has it positively affected any other areas in your life?

Yes. It has affected other areas in my life. Before i had low confidence and i was nervous around people that i had never met before. Now i am more confident and it has lowered my social anxiety!

Did you have to put in effort to get better? In what way?

Yes i had to put effort in to get better. I had to read the thrive book and do all of the exercises in it. And also mentally i had to put effort in. I tried to have more positive thoughts than negative thoughts.

How do you think you would now handle any vomit related situation, compared to the past?

Before the thrive programme i would of had anxiety attacks and run away from it. Now i would tolerate it even if it feels uncomfortable. I would also forget about it and focus on something else.

What advice would you give to other people with emetophobia who have just started the Thrive Programme?

My advice is to think more positively and to put effort in.

Update email from Marc approx 3 months after completing the Thrive Programme...

"Me and my family recently went to Tenerife. I was a bit wobbly as I took my seat on the plane. But as the journey progressed I found my self quite relaxed and in control.

The holiday went absolutely brilliant until my Dad got the norovirus. I was fine when my my mum explained to me that he had been sick. 2 days later my mum got it but I still felt fine. I didn't worry (but I kept my distance). On the final day of the holiday (early morning) I felt sick and i would admit to losing control but when I was being sick it wasn't as bad as my mind made it out to be. I have made some improvements because if this was before the thrive programme, I would of been having severe panic attacks.

On the plane journey back, I was sick but I wasn't bothered. But this time I wasn't panicking. And I wasn't embarrassed when people looked at me. So I think I have a lot more confidence! We got back and my brother came down with it. I went into his room and asked him if he needed anything. In 2010 when he was sick, even though I had been sick before, I was still scared to go into his room so I have made lots of progress."