How to help a child overcome emetophobia?

[Afternooninthepark]

Over the last 6-8 weeks, my usually happy go lucky, easy going 10 year old dd has suddenly developed this huge fear of vomiting/feeling sick and it’s becoming so bad that she is in tears most days, I don’t know what to do for her.
It started during the summer hols. She developed a uti and it made her feel queasy. She went on antibiotics which made her queasiness even worse. The uti has completely cleared up but she has become obsessed about feeling sick. We can’t travel too far as she complains she feels unwell. She is constantly saying she feels queasy, we have tears in the morning as she doesn’t want to go to school in case she feels queasy and is worried that someone in her class may come down with a tummy bug.
It’s becoming so bad that her friend said to her that no one likes her any more because she is always going on about bugs/germs.
The gp has checked her over and she is fine. I’m making her ginger tea and have bought her an aromatherapy bracelet with peppermint oil on it to sniff if she feels queasy but it’s becoming an obsession.
I just don’t know what to do for her, it’s come out of the blue.
We are supposed to go away for the weekend but she is in a right old state worrying she will get travel sick or feel ill whilst away.
Does anyone have any experience with this or tips I can try to distract her thought process as I’m sure it’s now more an emotional/mental thing than physical.

RadioDorothy- Rob Kelly doesn't believe that 'therapy' per se is the answer although it obviously works for some people. His theory is more behind changing your mindset. I don't agree with everything he says, but I do buy into his general theories.

I went out for lunch today & ate a bit much ...when DD came home from school I kept saying how full of food I felt, and bloated etc....she didn't once ask me if I was ok/going to be sick? Two weeks ago she would have freaked out thinking I was going to be sick.

I'm fascinated by the whole thing and I've learnt so much this summer reading around it.

Doris that's great that hypnotherapy worked for you and you overcame it..

It sound psychosomatic. She fears feeling it so it happens. Like when you realise you've eaten something out of date and then can't make up your mind whether you feel ill.

I would get her some kids vitamins, put them in a different bottle and tell her they are anti sickness pills. She has one each day and it stops her feeling sick. Placebo effect.

Thanks Outtaspace - traditional therapies haven't really worked for me (CBT was pretty good though), and sometimes I can feel myself almost automatically sliding into panic and dread mode without much logical thought. Although granted, phobia = irrational!

I agree it's a mindset - I've spent 40 years being scared, I need to learn how not to be. Can't wait to go and start the programme. Thanks again for posting about it.

No problem @RadioDorothy. Let us know how you get on.