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fear of throwing up in public

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Posted 9/25/2013 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I'm Kayla. This is my first time ever posting on this website....I really wanted to see if anyone else feels the way that I do. So...basically last year was my sophomore year of high school and at the halfway mark through the year I had to give an essay presentation which I wasn't nervous about at all cause I used to be completely fine with oral presentations. Ever since that freakin day (sorry I just can't help but think things would be different if I didn't have to do that one presentation) I have felt this immense fear of throwing up in public and the way everyone would react to it....it's not even that I'm afraid of throwing up which I have ALWAYS hated as a kid and felt worried about, but it's that I'm afraid of the consequences of throwing up in public.. each day my phobia got worse last year and spread. Basically anywheere I go I consider how I could leave that place to be able to throw up without anyone seeing. I start thinking about what would happen of I would throw up, and get myself so worked up that I convince myself that there's a chance I might throw up because I'm freaking out so much. It seems so silly when I put it that way, but, well it is an irrational fear so it is silly I suppose. After working up the courage to tell my mom about this last year after it started getting really really bad, she took me to get professional help. I went to a lady who helped me once a week, for about...I don't know 2 months? She helped my phobia/social anxiety disorder to become less prevalent in my life and not such a burden on me. After I stopped seeing her I (finally)made it through the school year and yay it was summer. Didn't have to sit in a classroom every day with my phobia. But it still found ways to get to me in the summer, in situations where I would be super embarassed to throw up...I mean it wasn't too bad cause it was summer and I was happy and the stress of school was gone and yeah....now I'm going into my fourth week of school and well I already hate it which is sad because it just started but I have 3 AP's, 4 weighted classes total, track and field, a huge church leadership commitment and a social life/ spending time with family and friends which I love. So obviously I'm stressed out.....but just the fact of me having to go to school every day makes my phobia so much worse. I mean, it provides like 6 7 hours a day where I could easily throw up and would be so so so embarassedto ....that's my fear and being in school I can already tell I'm gonna have a hard year having to deal with this stupid phobia every week day. Not only that but lately I've been feeling pretty down about a lot of things....thinking what's the point to everything....wanting to be anywhere but school.... Kind of feeling alone..well.. feeling lost. Feeling lost is a good way for me to describe it. Idk...... I just definetely don't wanna share this stuff with anyone in my life, not that I don't trust my loved ones or having AMAZING family and friends which I do, I just think I can just keep ignoring it and working on it and trying to feel more comfortable. I pray to God about it all the time, but like I said been feeling lost lately also in my faith in God been a little lost. Idk I just don't wanna hear well you should go to therapy again because I'm just not considering that. I just can't consider that.... I don't know honestly I just don't know....that's why I'm posting here maybe some one can relate to me or anyone have any advice? Thanks for reading this if you did cause its super long..... By the way I'm 16 years old in case anyone was wondering...
Thanks so much <3 ~Kayla
Posted 9/25/2013 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kayla,

I am sorry that you are going through such a rough time.:( Anxiety is such a confusing and frustrating thing to experience, especially when it comes back again!

It is not unusual for this to happen however, especially as our lives get busier and stressors build. So it is not unexpected that starting the school year again...and all of the activities and expectations that go along with it, would cause a setback.

I know that you do not want to return to therapy, but could you re-visit some of the things that you learned while there? The things that gave you relief? Do you have any good coping skills that were helpful?

On our main page (1st post) we have a Resource Guide filled with great ideas for stress management. Bringing down overall anxiety levels help to relieve the symptoms and fears that bother us.

If you were to decompress everyday with breathing and progressive muscle relaxation everyday for example...you may find your irrational fear fading after some time.

We also have thought record worksheets in the Resources. This CBT tool helps you to go through written steps that combat/disprove the fears...thus taking away their power over you. Check them out...they are downloads, and easy to do.

Finally, I am going to post a link to a book that has a section of fear of vomiting. I think that your fear about this seems more rooted in social anxiety than in health fears (what this book mostly focuses on)...but it could still be of use.

http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Health-Anxiety-David-Veale/dp/1845298241

I invite you to keep posting with us. We understand and care. We will be here to support and encourage you anytime you need us.;)

Talk to you soon.

Scaredy Cat

Posted 9/25/2013 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Kayla -

I can somewhat relate to your phobia; however, mine is a MUCH worse. I am terrified of throwing up period. I'm terrified of the act itself, the horrible nausea leading up to it, and everything in between. I panic if I hear it or see it (even on TV).

It is called emetophobia and although you don't have a more severe form of it (like I do), fear of vomiting in public is a component of it.
Posted 9/25/2013 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Kayla I am a lot older than You 71 and have seen this many times, over the years it has come to me that the people involved are more afraid of the embarrassment than the throwing up. After coming to terms with the problem, (I know that there are statistics on this somewhere) the odd's of actually throwing up in front of people is about the same as getting hit by lightening. So perhaps the fear does not justify so much attention from us. As you have said it's not rational and normally there is something triggering this fear that may not seem to be related to this phobia but actually is in your case. You are a intelligent young woman and I have faith in the resolve I read in your post, you seem to have a overloaded schedule and that can actually make your phobia worse, I send you Prayers and Hope Kayal! Peace
Larry ***
Posted 9/26/2013 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Scaredy cat,
Thank you so much for your advice and support. I really appreciate it more than you know. I will be sure to think about/revisit the things I learned in therapy to try and help me cope. And ill also be sure to look at the tools/links you gave me. Like I said I really appreciate the help! Thank you so so much
~Kayla
Posted 9/26/2013 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
LB1976,
Wow, that sounds so so so difficult :/ thanks so much for responding so I know there's some one else going through something similar...I really appreciate it so much, and as far as everything goes I really hope it gets better for you...for the both of us....but I definetely feel your pain.... It's something really difficult and burdening to have through out every single day and I hope one day it wont be such a burden for both of us.. I am always here if you ever need to talk for anything.
Posted 9/26/2013 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Lgm1942,
Thank you thank you thank you. So much....your post made me feel so relieved to know that you've seen many others with the same problem, and especially that the odds of me actually throwing up are so slim. It's very relieving to hear and I'm so thankful for your nice comment, it actually made my day better so thank you. I appreciate it more than I can explain, if you ever know anything else about what I'm going through please don't hesitate to let me know....But I appreciate your comment so much! Because it really makes me feel better, and reassures me in so many ways. thanks a ton,
~Kayla
Posted 9/26/2013 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
You are completely welcome!! We are glad that you have joined us, hope that talking it out helps, and encourage you to post anytime! :)

Talk to you soon,

S.C.
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