How Motherhood Transformed My Emetophobia Experience

If you’ve ever felt like your emetophobia is too strange, too specific, or just not like anyone else’s… pause right here and read Jessica’s story.

Jessica started out with what many people would call “typical” emetophobia …mostly worried about herself getting sick. But everything shifted when she became a mom. Suddenly her fear centered around her kids and even her husband becoming ill near her, and the belief that she wouldn’t be able to cope if it happened.

Her journey is such a beautiful reminder that emetophobia can shape-shift over time, and that doesn’t make you broken or unusual. It just means you’re a human and you can absolutely overcome it.

Check out her testimonial below for a dose of real, grounded inspiration.

“The Thrive Programme changed my life! I had been suffering from emetophobia on and off since childhood. I never envisioned a future where I could have a different attitude about getting sick. I always viewed it as the worst thing in the world and something I would rather die than experience. I have tried exposure therapy multiple times, EMDR and CBT therapy and while they had some short term benefits, I would always return to suffering eventually. Because they did not get to the root issue of the phobia. When I had children, my emetophobia changed into worrying about others being sick around me, especially my children.

Before I started the Thrive Programme and my journey with Coach Lauren, I was white knuckling it through parenthood, doing all the things, trying to be a great mom, but inside I was miserable, filled with anxiety, and unhelpful and unpowerful beliefs about myself. I would imagine the worst case scenarios about every little symptom and spent a majority of my mental energy fearing my kids getting sick.

After working through the program with Coach Lauren, not only is my emetophobia gone, but I am happier in so many aspects of my life!

–I can handle stressful situations better, I can look at a situation with positivity and gratitude, even when things aren’t perfect, I can take care of my children when they’re sick, and one of the best things I’ve gained, is learned how to raise my children to develop a strong internal sense of power and control.–

I am teaching them how to believe in themselves and that they can handle adversity, as well as how to process their lives and experiences in a positive way. I wish that Thrive could be taught in schools, for every child across the world. It is invaluable.

Thank you to Coach Lauren and the Thrive Programme for approaching emetophobia an a thoughtful, compassionate, and simple way, so that us sufferers know we’re not alone, learn to believe in ourselves, and change our lives! I will forever be grateful.“

Jessica, WA