Self-Help is often either the first or last therapy emetophobes seem to seek to help with their emetophobia.
Typically, emetophobes seem to fall into three categories:
| those who consult the medical profession about their problem without realising they are suffering from a well-defined phobia (remember, emetophobia is the 6th most common phobia in the UK, USA and Australasia) |
| those who happen to read an article about emetophobia and suddenly realise "That's Me"! |
| those who've already approached their GP and tried every therapy they can find but have still failed to overcome the phobia. In this case, self-help tends to be a 'last resort'. |
Some members of Gut
Reaction have contacted other members via the Contacts List and met in their own
home areas - often in a quiet park where they can chat, discuss how emetophobia 
affects their life and devised their own coping strategies. Some have
continued to provide mutual support - e.g. going shopping together or helping
each other out when one person is feeling unwell. When formal medical help
is not forthcoming, or has proven unhelpful, then Self-Help can be the next best
thing.
In the UK there are several self-help groups including:
| National Phobics Society (postal address: Zion CHRC, Royce Road, Hulme,
Manchester, M15 5FQ.) Tel: 0161 227 9898, Fax: 0161 227 9862 or email:
natphob.soc@good.co.uk.
The Society also has a comprehensive website for sufferers of phobias,
anxiety disorders, OCD and panic attacks at: www.phobics-society.org.uk |
| PAX at 4 Manorbrook, Blackheath, London, SE3 9AW. Website: www.panicattacks.co.uk |
| NO PANIC Tel 01952 590005 |
More links are included on the more-references page
Depression : The Depression Alliance has produced a new booklet to help sufferers of depression, which lists a number of self-help approaches. For a copy (UK ONLY), please send postage stamps to the value of 50 pence to Depression Alliance, 35 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB