NLP has anyone tried this

[vee01]

I am so pleased I came across this site upon researching my emetophobia. I have been suffering from this fear for as long as I remember.

I am 28, a primary school teacher and I live in constant fear of seeing someone v* or v* myself. I get very anxious if I know someone is feeling sick especially at work because the children sometimes feel sick in the classroom or playground...Fortunately it has not happened in the classroom for me.

Over the past few years this phobia has progressed from bad to worse and it is now affecting my social life and being in public. I find myself constantly looking around for signs that someone might be sick, and don’t like going out just in case someone is going to be sick.

With all this, it seems I ‘attract’ it all because every time I go out it seems I have been so unlucky to have someone v* near me!!! I become very anxious and suffer terrible panic attacks. My partner is very supportive; however he does not totally understand the extent of my phobia.

I have been reading a little on NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). I was thinking this might help me overcome this phobia. Has anyone tried this or been successful with this type of treatment?

I really just want to live a normal life and will try anything to be rid of this fear.

Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP) is a sort of hypnosis that started sometime in the 70's. It taps into the subconscious mind and is a type of 'reprogramming’ of the behavior one displays during times of anxiety etc…

I came across this website which is a NLP self help audio/dvd
http://www.phobia-fear-release.com/vomiting-phobia.html

However, there are some NLP practitioners around Sydney that deal with emetophobia. I want to try this, but thought maybe someone on the forum has already heard about this treatment.

[jwavrek]

I'm sorry but why have you made 3 threads concerning same topic? They will all elicit the same response from the same people.

[vee01]

Gee Im sorry! Im new at this site and not able to delete. Apologies to anyone else who is annoyed at me putting too many posts up.

[sage]

this is the first of your posts I've seen so I'll answer here. NLP is not wrong or dangerous and many people find it really helps them with all their "issues" and whatever may lie repressed in them. These repressions can lead to phobias and such so it's always good to get at the root of them.

I've never heard of anyone being completely cured from NLP, and you may have to watch out for those who promise miracles.

Check out the sticky posts in this Treatments section and read up on the various articles I've written - they're also on my website - address below in my signature line.

Good luck with your treatment!

[Lizzie]

Hi,

I have tried this treatment and have to agree with Sage on this. I haven't
heard of anyone yet who has been successful and unfortunately it did not
work for me. Everyone is different and reacts different to all sorts of
treatment, what works for one might not work for another.

I took the advise from Sage's treatment posts, found a therapists that I
feel comfortable in working with and have learn't a lot. We tried different
things including NLP but eventually found a treatment that I can work
with and having good progress with. My treatment is exposure and have
found I have got so much better that I am pursuing that course of
treatment.I work with my therapists with the understanding I have to do
all the work with him coaching me along the away and feel that is the
most important point. He can't do it for me only help me and with this in
mind I have progressed so much. He gives me the tools to help me in
situations where I could not cope and the reason behind this is that when
I panic or have anxiety its my way of saying that I am in danger and my
brain is only trying to protect me so when I run away from the situation I
have enforced the feeling by saying that my brain is right so when in that
situation again its even harder to deal with due to the reenforcement from
previous occasions. It becomes one big circle going round and round
making it harder and harder.Now by using the tools the therapists has
given me staying in the situation every time I come across it which I will
admit is not always easy but eventually I found that without thinking
about it I just got on with it. I had no reaction of anxiety or panic in that
situation as I had done it so many times and learn't there was nothing to
fear or that I was in danger in anyway.

Its all about baby steps progressing when your ready to move to the next
step maybe using other tools mixing different therapy techniques, CBT,
hypnotherapy etc to help you through and achieve what we all want at the
end of it. So I started with simple things and I don't get pushed into
doing anything I am not ready for or even if the therapists feels I need
more work on it before hand.

Sorry for going on and on but what I am trying to get across is that there
are all sorts of treatments available what works for one might not work
for another and always be careful of the bad ones. If it sounds to good to
be true then it probably is not good. Take Sage advise find someone who
you can work with on this and then you both can find the best treatment
that will work for you. A good therapists will want to do this for you and
not what they believe will cure you.

I hope this was of some help. Good luck with your treatment and let us
know how you get on..!!

[vee01]

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[vee01]

Thank you so much for your replies. I was seeing a psychiatrist for my emet, (which took a lot of courage to do) after only 2 visits I felt I was making some progress – Unfortunately the therapist left the clinic to move overseas and even though she encouraged me to continue my sessions with another therapist, I didn’t feel comfortable starting all over again.

I must admit I am absolutely terrified of exposure treatment. Having said this, I know that it is probably my only option. I completely understand the logic of reinforcing the anxiety with my continuous irrational behavior – (Such as running away, blocking my ears, closing my eyes, panic attacks etc). I understand that I need to ‘re-train’ my reactions to the situation. I often try this myself, telling myself that it will be ok, I try to tell myself that it is my body’s way of protecting itself…but when it comes to the crunch…I crumble and panic.

The situation is magnified at work, I am lucky that I have only taught grades 3, 4, 5 and 6, and if they ever feel sick, they are old enough to take themselves to the bathroom. I am terrified of the younger grades (which I might have next year). Due to me being the teacher, it would be my responsibility to look after them and even clean it up should they ever v*. I constantly get panic attacks even thinking about the possibilities! I have even considered getting a doctor’s certificate stating my emets so that I am never put in infant grades. I am also ashamed to say that I have faked a sick day to avoid bus trips when we are taking the children on an excursion (just in case)

I suppose I just want a quick fix for my emets. I would rather be afraid of spiders or snakes…I suppose this is why I am looking for alternative therapies. My partner is so supportive but would like me to seek treatment as I am too afraid to have children due to morning sickness.

I am going to continue my research into alternative therapies here in Australia. It seems that there is not as much on offer compared to the UK or US. I really need to keep doing my research and find a good therapist that can help me. Thank you for your encouragement and support. I am so glad I found this forum, its so comforting to talk with people that truly understands emets.

I will keep you posted as to what I end up doing.

Vee

[Lizzie]

Vee,

Just keep going, you will find someone. As for trying to do exposure
yourself well some people are strong in doing that but some are not and
need coaching through it. It does sound all scary when you say exposure
but most think of the worst fear and then having to face it which is not
the case and don't think it is for any phobia eg. spiders, snakes etc. Of
course your worst fear should not be first thing when dealing with
exposure. It is gradual exposure in easy situation working your way up
hence a therapist taking you through it might be the best option as he
can give you techniques and tools to use to overcome that first hurdle
and moving on to the next and not moving on until you are happy and
comfortable to move on. Although you do have to push yourself
sometimes as I have said before you have to do it the therapist cannot do
it for you and cannot cure you over night... hope you see what I am trying
to say.

Just for info and hope this give you a little courage, I work for the Police
looking after people who have been arrested. I am the first person they
see when they come into custody. 60% of the time the people we deal
with are either drunk, drugged or have mental health issues. You can
imagine having to look after someone who is drunk or withdrawing from
drugs. Not pretty and was very very scary for me to the point I thought I
would leave my job and find something else when it occurred to me I was
running away yet again.. Working through it though with help I have
achieved so much and still working towards that goal which I am
determined to get to. Putting myself in situations where normally I would
hide in a back room and get someone else to deal with them as I am so
scared of them taking ill in front of me I would wait until that person has
been dealt with by someone else and put in a cell.

I have progressed so far with it now that someone came in drunk the
other night having drank 8 pints of beer and who had been ill before
coming in. I actually booked him in as my work colleague turned to me
and said "I don't do sick" and disappeared. My response to her was "Don't
worry I will deal as I don't mind" Afterwards I sat down and thought
yikes.. did I really do that and say that... am I crazy..!!!!.. Anyway my
point is I did without thinking. It has taken many ups and downs to get to
that point and of course hard work but I done it and next time I know I
won't have a problem and just to do it and get on with it. I will though
say through gradual exposure 7 months down the line has got me to that
point although I have pushed myself and worked hard. Some people take
longer and some not so long. Everyone is different.

My fingers are crossed you find someone soon. I know how you feel as I
was at that point once in my life and its not nice. Just keep your head up
and keep going..!!!..

Look forward to hearing how you are getting on with it and when you find
someone.

[vee01]

WOW~ I would love to get to that point where I was not afraid of people being sick. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That really gives me alot of encouragement and hope. Thanks for sharing. (and WOW again)

I will def. keep you posted as to what I decide to do for treatment. [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]

[Lizzie]

Thank you [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] its not easy but its not hard either. Good sessions bad
sessions you just have to work with it and just remember those days will
happen. I am still not completely there yet don't really want to burst the
bubble but I am not far achieving my goal but like I said it all takes time and
baby steps and I prepared to do therapy to get me there for as long as it
takes and its paying off with perseverance.

Good luck...!!.. [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]