MCT, EMDR and DBR for emetophobia and health anxiety

I suffered from emetophobia and health anxiety from the age of 13 following a traumatic experience. This affected my social life and my IBS. My preoccupation with this controlled a lot of my thoughts and my behaviours.  Throughout the sessions with Sarah I have learned how to control my worry about this using metacognitive therapy (MCT). 

EMDR helped me to unpick the traumatic experience in a subtle way and it didn’t feel overwhelming. I had initially felt hesitant about doing it for fears that it would rip a plaster off and open up lots of unpleasant memories in the session, which didn’t actually happen. The DBR was fascinating, gentle and calming. It helped me to process things in a subtle way.  I want to say it felt “non-invasive” and unconscious. 

Throughout the time I saw progress in my ability to travel, see friends and go out for meals. As I controlled my worry and managed my anxiety, my IBS symptoms eased. 

 (Female, aged 22, in person therapy, April 23)

EMDR for emetophobia

I have had emetophobia ever since I was a child. It completely hindered my life and I missed out on so many experiences, because of my fears of feeling nauseous and also being violently sick.  I felt very ashamed about my emetophobia and had put off getting help. I decided to try some EMDR, because it felt appropriate to me as it can help treat phobias. 

I was amazed with the difference after just 9 hours of EMDR. Early memories which underpinned my phobia have now become more manageable and I am now living my life without the fear of being sick and feeling nauseous. I have recently eaten food which I have always avoided. 

(Female, aged 56).