Inpatient treatment for emetophobia

[Nutshell80]

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who’s been through similar.

My 9-year-old daughter has severe anxiety and emetophobia. She’s been under CAMHS in the community for quite a while but unfortunately there hasn’t been much progress, and things have escalated & her world has become very small.

She’s extremely routine-focused and struggles if things aren’t done in a very specific way at a specific time. Food is very restricted (both range and “rules” around it). Emotional reactions can be huge — panic, meltdowns, catastrophic thinking. She’s living in a near-constant state of fear and it’s heartbreaking to watch.

We’ve now been told she’ll be admitted in a couple of weeks. I know logically this is because she needs more intensive help than we can give at home, but I’m absolutely terrified that being away from us and her routines will make things worse before they get better.

Has anyone had a child admitted for severe anxiety/phobias?

• Did you manage a gradual admission?
• Were you able to stay the first night?
• How did your child cope with the loss of their usual routines/foods?
• Did you see genuine, lasting improvement afterwards?
• How long did it take before things felt hopeful?

I’m especially anxious about whether this will feel traumatic for her or whether it can actually be the turning point we desperately need.

I’d really value honest experiences — and anything you wish you’d known beforehand.

Thank you if you’ve read this far. Feeling very wobbly but trying to do the right thing for her. ❤️

Lots of questions first - how long has this phobia been affecting her life? What treatment have CAHM's given her already? Is there any suspicion of neurodiversity? Have you actually spoke to her about what in patient means and how would SHE feel about?

Hi OP I have a 9 year old DD with v severe emetaphobia (extremely restricted eating, no longer attends school etc).
Is she going to be a CAMHS in-patient? Was this prompted by food intake being so low- is it an eating disorders focus, or have they got a specific emetaphobia/anxiety treatment programme she will be following?

Sorry I haven’t got answers to your questions but I wanted to send hugs as I know how terrifying this level of anxiety is :(

Do you have a CAMHS practitioner or designated psychologist/psychiatrist you can go through your questions with?

I really hope other posters can respond to reassure you and things start to turn around for your DD.

yeah she’s most likely neurodiverse. Phobia started v suddenly & full on in July. She been getting CBT with CAMHS since Sept. She knows an admission was on the cards but doesn’t know it’s happening, I want to be fully informed before I tell her.

I hope this works for her. My daughter also has severe emetophobia and is under camhs. Her eating has been very restricted at times and she still has a lot of issues around what, where and when she eats.
She barely leaves the house, doesn’t go to school, hates us having anybody round to the house. She also self harms.
TBH there have been many times I’ve wished she could be an inpatient but this has never been mentioned apart from other context of if she didn’t start to increase her food intake.

Sorry to hear you are going through it too. It’s so difficult.

it’s the national psych unit for kids aged 5-11. She’s been getting CBT with CAMHS since Sept with v little progress. She’s developed really strict routines around everything, mealtimes, sleep, walks, everything really. Her world is becoming so so small hence the admission.

therapy wise not 💯 sure, I think it’s CBT & exposure therapy. I did call the ward today as I have a million questions so hopefully I’ll hear back soon.

Big hugs that’s so tough. Yeah initially that’s what we were told - that weight & physical health would determine the admissions but she’s so consumed by anxiety & fear which hasn’t improved at all even with CAHMS.

i know what you mean, ive thought the same in the past but now it’s actually hear I don’t know how I feel. I wish I could press fast forward on the next few months

@Nutshell80 thank you. I hadn’t heard of the national one.
I really hope this is a turning point for your DD, I do feel intensive support is needed when the anxiety and panic is this debilitating.
Im surprised they only offered CBT so far - we’re just waiting to hear what CAMHS will offer us.( It’s been agonisingly slow despite her being a priority.)
I know CBT can be effective but I can’t see my DD fully engaging when her nervous system is constantly in fight or flight. Terrified of medication too though :(

I would feel absolutely the same as you about further traumatic experiences, ie leaving home etc, but I do notice my DD deteriorating when just at home, (which is most of the time), making more and more restrictions on herself to feel ‘safe’. So I hope it will kick start your DD’s recovery and you have some support too. I’ve really struggled at times.
It’s tragic to watch them in this level of pain so young.
sending lots support to you both x

its Unusual to be admitted at this stage, I would ask to meet with CAMHS again, many have intensive outreach services that would prevent admission. She needs an MDT approach - if CBT isn’t working then alternative and consider medication.

sounds like she has underlying autism, so be careful with admission it would be much more effective for intensive support at home.

are you in UK?

We are still seeing CAMHS, got an appointment this afternoon but they very much see this as her next step in treatment. Her anixety & rituals around emetophobia are so entrenched that therapy just isn’t working. They won’t try meds at home as they want to monitor her closely, which they can obvs do in hosp.

My daughter sounds the exact same as yours. It is so debilitating & she’s permanently in a state of anxiety. We still have no date so haven’t told her yet. I’m really struggling now. Its brutal

Hi OP how are things? Hope you don't mind, was just checking in as I empathise with your situation so much. Have you got a date yet and how is DD?

We've had a bonkers experience with CAMHS, we've been told they do not recognsise or treat mental illness in under 12's. So we are on a waiting list for family systemic therapy, although my DD was hospitalised with this and has lost 20% of her bodyweight. We are paying for some CBT but like your daughter, once a week isn't touching the sides much.

I hope something will lift naturally for your DD or if not you are finally getting some good help

Jeezo that’s insane, I thought that’s what they were there for!! don’t understand that at all. What are you supposed to do? I’m really sorry 😔 where are you based? We are in Scotland, maybe it’s different here.

Shes been in for just over 4 weeks & she’s doing well, lots of ups and downs but thankfully more ups. She’s still has alot of emotional disregulation & anxiety but less than she had at home. She’s settled in to the ward amazingly & is managing to eat a bit more. the staff are amazing. I’m grateful she’s there but it’s a long road.

Sending hugs

@Nutshell80 I’m so glad to hear she’s settled well and the staff are lovely. And that’s positive re the food, everyone keeps emphasising how hard it is to be mentally well when you’re not getting decent nutrition.
It’s a slow road though isn’t it 😓
But I’m sure she’ll get there.

Yes it’s extraordinary our experience- we’re in Manchester. I can only presume they’re so overwhelmed they’re making up crazy rules like this. We were told EMDR would be a 3 year wait and as we’re paying for CBT now they think she should continue with that.
They’ve fast tracked an ND assessment but that’s not treatment.
Just borrowing to go private and hoping for the best. I hope things continue to improve for your DD and they both can enjoy life again at some point!

Great that she’s doing well. My daughter has started to eat more of her own accord (I think it’s partly to do with the seasons changing as she’s always worse during winter) and it’s had such a positive impact ion her mood and energy levels and willingness to help herself a bit more.
Hopefully the more your daughter eats the more she’ll be willing to eat if that makes sense!