Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
Hi, does anyone get panic attacks who have emetophibia? I am afraid of being sick and the panic attack makes me feel like I am going to be sick. how am I supposed to stop it?
the panic attacks can be dealt with as per hhe usual CBT advice, see details on net
The only thing that helps me is meditation (sometimes), and I also got the physician to give me a script for an antiemetic suppository (compazine?), and I carried it around like a sort of security blanket. I also have Dramamine and Xanax with me all the time, even though I don't take them very often. I know it's easy to say, but reminding yourself that it is only a panic attack, and not likely a true gastro illness may help. (Although people telling me that when I was having a panic attack only infuriated me, becuase I always KNEW I really was sick this time!!...even though I wasn't)
There are a couple of good emetophobia support groups on the net. Sometimes those make you feel a bit better, just reading HOW LONG many emetophobics go without vomiting. I have not vomited since I was perhaps 3 years old (apparantly I did when I was very drunk, but I have no recollection of this). I am just as afraid of "dry heaves" though, and I have had those since then. When I was drinking in college, I would get dry heaves, and when I was that intoxicated, it didn't bother me (can you believe it!) but I certainly wouldn't suggest binge drinking as a means of exposure therapy ;-)
Best of luck to you, if you would like someone to talk to, we could exchange emails or addresses (I LOVE to write letters!)