Whether you are emet (vomit phobic) or not, I think some of these tips will be useful for anyone attempting to talk to their doctor about mental health related problems. I’ve lost count of the amount of doctors I’ve spoken to in the past about this phobia. I’ve also lost count of the amount of times I’ve been told to stop being so ridiculous and that no one likes being sick. In my 30 years or so of visiting doctors and therapists, not ONE has said, ah yes, emetophobia/vomit phobia.
If you think you have emet and want to speak to your doctor about it, here are some of the things I have learnt over the years:
• Double Up. By this I mean ask your surgery for a double appointment. Doctors are busy busy and they typically get allocated ten minutes. Ten minutes to explain emetophobia can be pushing it. Explain to the receptionist briefly that you will need more time and you would like to request a double appointment. Your doctor will appreciate this and you won’t feel like you are being hurried.
• Prepare. I can’t stress this enough. Write down everything you want to cover during the appointment. It saves the stress of getting in there, knowing you have just a few minutes and then coming out with gobbledygook or spending the whole time crying into a tissue. Sigh. It has happened many times! I prepare for any doctor visit as I prepare for an interview. I think about the questions I will be asked and think about the answers I will give. I think about the questions I want to ask too!
• Write. Don’t be afraid to write it down and hand it to your doctor. I have done this many times. Here is a simple mind map of all the things my emetophobia encompasses. A lot! And a lot to cover in a short appointment. Sorry it is a rubbish pic. I’ve been flat out this week and it was a quick snap on my lap.
• Be realistic. Your doctor probably hasn’t heard of emetophobia. They don’t know it all. See your first appointment as a start. The start of your “getting better” strategy. Doctors can’t work miracles in a few minutes so don’t expect to leave the surgery with a solution straight away. Many a time I left a surgery in tears because I felt no one could help me. I was always looking for an instant fix.
• What do you want? Have an idea in mind as to what you want to get out of this one appointment? A referral to an NHS-based therapy provider? Advice on medication that may help with the anxiety? I always used to go to doctors expecting them to tell me what was wrong. I’ve learnt that with emet, it usually isn’t the case.
• Disappointed? If you come away from an appointment feeling like you haven’t achieved what you wanted, book another with a different doctor. Doctors are all different and some will come across sympathetic and others will tell you to pull your socks up and get on with it. Not helpful I know but it’s just how it is sometimes. Don’t take it to heart though. If you feel like you aren’t clicking with your GP – go see another.
• Persevere! Don’t give up. I know it can feel like a never ending struggle of trying to get people to understand, but someone WILL listen and you CAN get help. You have to be willing to help yourself though and sometimes I’ve found that is the hardest bit.
April 7, 2016 at 5:21 am
Such great tips for any Dr visit to be honest. I tend to leave disappointed and always forget to say everything so writing things down is a must for me. I also think having a goal for the appointment is important and clearly articulating what you want to happen next.
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April 10, 2016 at 6:12 pm
thank you for reading :) Yep, i used to forget things and i’d come out feeling worse and more confused then before i’d gone in to see the doctor.
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April 7, 2016 at 8:25 am
Some good tips here especially if you have something unusual or complicated.
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April 10, 2016 at 6:12 pm
thank you for reading :)
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April 8, 2016 at 4:05 am
You know, I didn’t know there was an actual condition called emetophobia; until now. Good tips. #AtoZChallenge
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April 10, 2016 at 6:10 pm
thank you for reading :) x
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April 10, 2016 at 10:58 pm
Good tips – I know my sister has not found many doctors who have been particularly helpful or handled her emetophobia well. #SSAmazingAchievements
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April 11, 2016 at 7:20 pm
thank you for taking a look :)
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April 12, 2016 at 5:55 am
I think these tops are good for lots of different situations. When I went to the doctors asking for my son to be referred I went armed with information and a video. With the mention of google she rolled her eyes but the video got the results I needed.
Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
x
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April 14, 2016 at 7:11 pm
These are great tips for any doctors visit. The last time I went I ended up bursting into tears as she was just trying to get me back out the door. I’m booking a double one next time I pluck up the courage to go. Thanks for linking to #PickNMix
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April 22, 2016 at 5:47 pm
Pluck up the courage and do it :) I know it’s hard but persevere and if one is rubbish, book to see another. Youll find one in the end that listens. thanks for reading and commenting :) x
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May 1, 2016 at 4:10 pm
Great points. Meeting with a doctor is a meeting and actually to get the best out of it you should treat it as you would any other ‘meeting’. I hadn’t thought about it like that before. Very interesting #fortheloveofBLOG
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May 2, 2016 at 2:19 pm
thank you :) x
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May 1, 2016 at 5:18 pm
these are great tips. I was just at the doctor with my daughter the other day after she had a bad fall. She started crying when he wanted to examine her and I could tell he was in a rush. Double appointments would be a great idea if possible. Sometimes we need extra time, to talk things through.
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May 2, 2016 at 2:19 pm
i hate it when we feel rushed too, just adds more pressure!
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May 4, 2016 at 8:56 pm
This is really interesting – I had actually never heard of emetophobia before but it must be horrid. As someone who has just spent the past nine months with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (persistent, severe pregnancy vomiting) I can understand why someone would have this phobia. I’m sure this will be really helpful to anyone suffering and there are some good points for anyone wanting to speak to a doctor about anything! Thanks for sharing with us on #fortheloveofBLOG – Really hope you can join us again next week x
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May 6, 2016 at 7:12 pm
ah yes i remember reading your blog on this. i really feel for you because people just dont get it do they. its not just a bit of feeling queasy. ive had friends hospitalised because of it. so for me, HG was a massive worry for me! xx
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