Scared about trip

[callmejessicag]

Hello everyone

So im writing this with feelings of sadness and happiness I had emet from age of around 7 up untill 18 when I went to Uni strangely it went and for 3 years I had no fear wasn't concerned about handwasshing ate foods and drank till I was drunk and you know what I never once got sick at all. Since I returned home I've gone downhill I've become scared taking domperidone hurting myself freaking out watching what invest you know the score and well I've had 2 sv one this year one last year it's hard not to make the connection about happier times.

so I'm trying to battle it and stepping out going to do some work in Africa in a mental hospital and with orphans. It's an amazing opportunity but I'm still very very scared so much to think about -the travel/food/hygiene etc.
Any words of support would be so greatly appreciated as would any sponsorship money towards the trip
It's going to be documented by a crew and I, hoping to raise awareness once and for all for emetophobia
(even as I'm writing this I feel like I'm having an anxiety attack) nausea sickness feeling HELP what have I let myself in for!!

[mess_of_a_dreamer]

Think about whether you'd regret it if you didn't go on the trip. Truly. If the answer is yes, then do it. Go. But don't just all of the sudden go from being absolutely terrified to basically do anything to going to Africa and completely exposing yourself to so many new stimuli.

Going to an impoverished nation is going to be difficult even for someone who has no anxiety or emet, and since you don't seem to be in a good place with yours, if you are going to do it then you need to take baby steps prior to going.

First of all, you need to figure out ways to control your anxiety (and I don't mean like meds). You can't get rid of it completely but you need to have coping mechanisms. For instance, I'm a very, very anxious person - always have been. As I've gotten older I've started to realize what triggers my anxiety - noticing in what kinds of situations I'm more or less anxious. For me, I've realized I need to be around people (non-anxious people) and my anxiety levels drop substantially. Saying no to doing things or finding excuses not to go out magnifies anxiety a hundred fold, since you then just sit around and let your thoughts overwhelm you. You need distraction, and being around other people who are just living life and having fun is a huge part of it.

So basically, you need to start combating your problem of not being able to go out and have fun. That doesn't mean getting smashed or anything, but just go and do things with people that are really fun and funny, and you'll realize that a lot of the things you fear doing you actually love and have no problem doing!

If you feel dread thinking about the trip, and have an overwhelming feeling of not wanting to go because of anxiety...honestly, don't go. It'll probably just make your problems worse. You need to start with something you feel like you can handle - even if you feel scared - it has to be something that is more powerful than your anxiety. If you can think about all of the not so pleasant things that MIGHT happen and still want to go, then go for it - if you can't, reach towards a closer goal.