"In Vivo" means in life, or in "real life". Clients who suffer from emetophobia often have "safety behaviours" that inhibit them from overcoming the phobia. These include checking foods before eating them, seeking reassurance (asking questions), carrying around OTC medications (or even prescription medications), sucking on mints, drinking water and a whole myriad of other things. Clients must systematically drop these behaviours, starting with the easiest to the most difficult, and replace them with slow breathing and positive cognitions. Here is a list of common safety behaviours that you and your client can check out:
- checking "best before" dates on foods
- excessive cleaning with bleach, etc.
- excessive hand-washing
- carrying around hand sanitizer
- carrying mints, gum, water, etc.
- carrying OTC (over-the-counter) medications such as dramamine, ginger tablets, etc.
- carrying prescription anti-emetics
- avoiding places, people or things that might be "contaminated"
- driving one's own car or not taking passengers
- avoiding types of foods deemed "unsafe"
- avoiding types of restaurants deemed "unsafe"
- avoiding dental procedures
- avoiding medical tests
- avoiding public restrooms
- avoiding taking prescription medication (if "nausea" or "vomiting" is listed as a possible side-effect)
- avoiding playgrounds, schools, nursing homes or other places deemed "contaminated"
- avoiding public transportation