Looking for a cure for my phobia

[Lonelymum]

OMG I have just rung up a charity that offers group behavioural therapy, discussed my phobia with someone over the phone and she is sending me details to join one of the groups. I feel completely wrung out and can't stop crying, but it is a step I have to take. O M G.

Oh! I would be interested too!! I have a couple of hypnotherapists in my area that I have saved in my bookmarks, but am scared to make the call. How can I tell if they are any good?? Also, we don't have alot of spare money and don't want to waste it if it is unlikely to work.

Hi all, only just saw this thread!

I am like mummylonglegs - don't mind others throwing up, but absolutely petrified of throwing up myself. It really haunts my every moment, even though it hasn't happened in 20 years, so isn't really likely!

Lonelymum - I wonder if you would benefit from help with relaxation/learning to cope when you start to panic? Although it wouldn't help the actual phobia, maybe it would help you feel more in control??

The other day I was watching Jay Leno (american talk show) on Cable TV, and an actress called Denise Richards was on. She was talking totally openly about her emetophobia!!! I had never heard anyone talk about it on TV before!!

I understand this is actually one of the top ten phobias, so we should NOT be ashamed of it- it is just the brain's protection mechanism gone a little ott. The shame makes it worse!

Anyway, everyone else suffering, at least we know we are not alone!

FP

Hi everyone. Theer are 2 ways in which hypnotherapists work; suggestion therapy (which is the usual way, favoured by Paul McKenna and most therapists), and analytical therapy. Suggestion therapy treats the symptoms without addressing the root cause, so the next time a trigger event happens it MAY set it off again. Analytical therapy works by uncovering the root cause. Problems in adult life are usually caused by something happening in childhood, usually before th age of 10. Whatever this is (and it doesn't have to be anything awful or major) hasn't been dealt with emotionally by us as children, so the emotions get bottled up. We carry this on into out adult life and sooner or later it has to find an outlet. Hence (in this case) emetophobia. Please bear in mind that the originating factor may not have anything at all to do with being sick. It is just an outlet for whatever the anxiety is.
Under hypnosis the client and therapist together manage to discover the root cause, and once it is discovered the mind deals with it and the symptoms disappear. This takes commitment on both sides, and takes place weekly for up to 12 weeks, an hour a week. The wonderful thing about this therapy is that it will also iron out any other phobias, fears or other foibles we have.
There are relatively few hypnoanalysts in the UK as it is a specialised area.
The best way to know if the therapist is any good is by word of mouth to be honest. Also check with their association that they are full members, and hold a diploma.
I don't want to ramble too much, so hope that helps for now. I'll keep checking so if you need anymore info either ask on here or CAT me.
I can't give you a success rate as the therapy depends on both sides giving it their all. If the client can't or won't do their bit then it won't work. I can tell you that I have had immense sucess with my clients, children and adults alike for everything from needle phobia, to social anxiety. Agoraphobia to emetophobia. And of course smoking. Hope that helps.

Oh Marmaladesun you really are like a breath of fresh air to us!!!! I have always wanted to try hypnotherapy as I believe it is the one thing that I could feel strong enough to see the treatment through!!!!

I would really like to find one in Leeds? Can you help? Do you know any practices within that area, am close to Wakefield too!!!!

Thank you MarmaladeSun for replying. Sorry to appear thick here, but are you saying therefore that only analytical therapy is any use? And does that have to be done by a hypnoanalyst as oppsed to a hypnotherapist? Is there a difference? Does each have different qualifications? What qualifications should a hypnoanalyst have? Finally, does it not matter if I can't remember when my emetophobia originated or what began it? Will the memory still be in my mind and released under hypnosis? I am going to CAT you too in case you don't see this. Hope you don't mind.

Hi again

Firstly, Crazydaisy...I have a colleague in Wakefield, a lovely man called Jonny and I will CAT you his details if you like. He should offer you a free initial consultation which does not obligate you to anything at all and he will be able to answer all your questions in person. Hope that helps.

Hi Lonelymum...no I'm not saying that ordinary hypnotherapy is no good at all; I practice it myself with great results but if the problem has an underlying psychological reason (and phobias generally do) suggestionj therapy (which is what you are referring to) only 'controls' the symptoms and doesn't cure the root problem. Therefore it is prone to either flare up again in the future or take on a different form. For example a claustrophobic could be cured of his hatred of enclosed spaces in one hour, but may well find that his 'inner anxiety' manifests itself as agoraphobia for example. The anxiety has just taken on another guise. Yes, I would strongly advise that you choose a trained hypnoanalyst. It is a highly specialised area, and members of the association which I belong to adhere to a strict code of practice and extreme ethics. The therapist should hold a diploma in hypnoanalysis. If a client tells me that he remembers where his phobia originates then I will (gently) explain that that is what is known as an erroneous association...he thinks he knows whereas in fact that memory will only be a trigger and the original cause will be from a time further back which we cannot remember. All of our memories are there in our subconscious. Under hypnosis and with a skilled therapist you will be able to find them. Hope that helps.

Hi Crazydazy. I have tried to CAT you but it won't allow me to.

MarmaladeSun, your opinion makes a lot of sense to me as I had 3 years of CBT which did zero to help me, but my 3 years of psychoanalysis was much more helpful. Although I am far from cured! What has happened is that my better understanding of the problem / the reason for my anxiety has helped me enormously. Much more so than learning 'techniques' to deal with it on a superficial level. I'm really interested in hypnoanalysis. Do you know of anyone close to SE London who practises? I'm pretty broke. Is it very expensive?

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Am!

£45, shit, that's out for me right now then.

I'm fine, dd had her 3rd birthday party today so I'm feeling pretty exhausted. You?

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Hi. £45 - £55 per session is pretty standard.

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Why don't they make these things cheaper? Or give a government subsidy or something?

Am, dd's getting on really well at playgroup. Unfortunately it's closing down at Christmas so I've got to find her somewhere else to go. It's such a shame, she seems to have really settled at this one. How's your dd enjoying school? When's half term by the way, is it this week or next?

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I so wish my phobia was a wind up Crazydazy! I laugh at it myself because I realise how strange it sounds. I have had so many bad experiences in supermarkets and have embarrassed myself totally more than once - for example when I locked myself in the loo at some friends' house (all afternoon) because they were laughing at misshapen pears on the tree. Then there was the time I screamed and climbed over the wall into field next door because my daughter showed me what I thought was a misshapen potato after Brownies - turned out to be a cress head thing made out of sawdust and tights. Fortunately the woman who brought dd home that night had her own phobia so understood and her kids understood too. Had a close call with a banana today not totally separated from the one next to it. I can so see how funny it sounds. Dh thinks I am totally mad. Thank goodness for EU and pre packaged fruit!!

One more question if I may MarmaladeSun (or anyone else who feel they can help) how do I get in contact with a psychoanalyst? Is it a question of looking through the Yellow Pages and ringing one up or is it done via the GP? How do you come into initial contact with your clients MarmaladeSun?

hypnoanalyst I meant.

Oh just looked in the Yellow pages and it is full of all sorts of adverts and loads of different qualifications. It is so confusing! What is the name of the key professional body I should be looking for? Could they be contacted direct so they could give me a list of their registered practitioners in my area?

Oh god I feel so sorry for you Swedishmum, I thought I had problems with day to day life and the phobia, it must be horrific for you. I feel angry with myself now for laughing earlier I of all people should understand how humiliating it is to have a phobia!!! Sorry, once again!!!! Everytime one of my kids gag, I go into mass panic, I bet you find that weird though don't you????

Marmalade, can you CAT me again it should work now. Thanks!!!!

Hi all. For the international association of hypnoanalysts the website address is www.successfulhypnotherapy.co.uk There is a section on there for finding a therapist in your area. My clients contact me either through the above website, or through my own website or one of the adverts I place locally. I have also done newspaper articles and am about to do a magazine article so am contacted from there also.
Crazydazy you will also find the wakefield therapist on the site. Hope that helps.

Thank you MS, that is great. I even have a therapist working about 5 miles from me. Thank you very much. Now to summon up the courage to go through with it!

Crazydazy don't worry! Loads of people laugh at it - I can see the funny side myself. Maybe I should look into treatment. I have a friend who has been very successfully treated for a phobia.

It must be awful for you - I'm not phobic but i "don't do sick" - must have chucked away loads of clothes over the years from the kids and a whole duvet and cover.

Lol Swedishmum, me too, I insisted we got a new carpet in the kids room too last year as there was a horrible patch that wouldn't come clean!!!!! Thankfully though my kids are not often sick (I am touching wood as I am saying this)!!! DP always sorts them out should it occur!!!!

Marmaladesun - thank you so much for that and coming on here and speaking to me and of course everybody else and offering your words of advice. Will definitely contact the guy in Wakefield, haven't had chance to look at the website as I am at work but will do so tonight

Best go now actually!!!!