Anxiety, IBS and emetophobia?

Need to vent..

I'm 18 years old and have been struggling with anxiety, IBS and emetophobia since I was about 14. I used to be normal and was able to do whatever and go wherever at any time. Now I'm scared to leave my house.

My biggest fear is either having an "IBS attack" and not being able to find a bathroom OR throwing up in public. The throwing up part is kind of an irrational fear considering I haven't thrown up since I was about 12 and I know there is no reason why I would just randomly start puking. But I can't help it. In regards to IBS, I can kinda control my symptoms with a healthy diet. But I'm still so nervous in public and constantly worry about an *attack*. When I start worrying about that, I start to feel nauseous, and then I panic and just want to go home NOW.

Like I said, I'm 18, and all I do is sit at home all day. I probably leave the house once every few weeks, if that. I wish I could be in public without shaking and panicking.

I dropped out of school when I was 16 and graduated through online school. I'm too scared to go out and look for a job. I WANT to....badly. I feel like a complete loser and I get so angry at myself for not being "normal".

My dad is getting sick of me sitting around doing nothing and keeps threatening to kick me out if I don't get a job....which only makes me panic even more. He used to be so understanding, but now he's just fed up and thinks I'm using this as an excuse to sit at home and be lazy.

Has anyone ever been in this situation? How did/do you cope?

Nico -

I also suffer from all 3 of those conditions you mentioned. It sounds like your issue is more anxiety related. I, too, suffer from IBS but more on the "bound up" end.

I suffer from horrible emetophobia. I am 36 and have always been terrified of vomiting. When norovirus season is in full swing, I am a total wreck. Not only am I terrified to vomit in public, I am terrified to vomit PERIOD!! That alone is a huge cause of my anxiety.

Remember that anxiety can cause exacerbation of your IBS symptoms. If you can control your anxiety, you may not experience your IBS symptoms as much.

Just a thought.

Hope you find some relief.

I too have ibs with anxiety and emetophobia Im 18 and was a happy lad until Christmas last year I caugh the dreaded norovirus I hadn't been sick for 7 years so big shock also had a few relationship and work stresses ive always had the phobia it just flared up bad after the bug :( this tjen leaded to stress depression anxiety and ibs im also now a germaphobe with slight ocd I cant cope much more having constant worrys any advice or something to put my mind at rest about anything much appreciated

I too am 18 and have the 3 dreaded illnesses... They seem to go hand in Hand (unfortunately)... I've had emetophobia ever since I can remember (earliest memories at around age 7) and my IBS turned diarrhoea orientated about 6 months ago which has made my anxiety/phobia so much worse as my bad stomach makes me think I'm getting sick, then the worry about that makes my stomach worse!!! Such a vicious circle and I HATE norovirus season. I feel so unlucky to suffer all of this so young

My advice would be to try so hard not to just give up on things and not to keep yourself home and 'safe'. I have to admit I've done it myself a few times but always find when I am out with friends I get distracted and forget about these stupid illnesses, otherwise I just think about it all the time!!! Try to get out and do something, if it helps carry an emergency kit e.g. Immodium, water

I probably haven't helped much but I kno it helps to hear from people in similar situations!!

Post Edited (Pink9511) : 9/14/2013 3:45:18 PM (GMT-6)