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Emetophobia and other things

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Posted 2/3/2014 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all.Im new to this site and just wanted to chat to be honest.For many years now ive been afraid of vomiting and going to the loo which could result in Diarrhea.Im terrified in case i get a stomach bug.Constantly thinking about it and its driving me mad.
I really dont want to be like this anymore as its really hindering my quality of life :(
Does anyone else suffer with the above problems? if so it would be nice to talk to someone who understands what im talking about.
Posted 2/3/2014 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
hi bathgal, sorry you need to be here, but welcome! i m new too, and have noticed that we all seem to have something in common on this site, and that is, fear o something. your fear is of vomiting and diarrhoea, mine, amongst many things, is that my house will burn down again, others are afraid of heart attack, of being alone, of leaving the house (another of mine). you name it and someone in the world is afraid of it. not just scared, but crippled and terrified by it. i don t share your particular fear, but i do have some idea of how you feel, as do we all here. you probably don t want to be far from a toilet, i m scared to leave my house in case it burns down while i m gone and i lose my pets. have you told your doctor or seen a therapist? you may only need a short cooourse of meds and some relaxation techniques to really help you. scaredy cat , on this forum will have some answers, so just wait for her or one of the other ggreat knowledgeable people here to help you, i will be praying for you and are happy to chat whenever i can, blessings
Posted 2/3/2014 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi thanks so much for getting back to me. I've had CBT a couple of years ago and that helped a bit but over the recent years I've been getting worse.I'm on an antidepressant but it doesn't seem to be helping much :(
I've arranged another course of CBT for this year so hopefully it will put me back on track.
I feel totally fed up with everything. i'ts my ever waking thought, Even when i'm asleep i tend to dream about the things i worry about. Just cant seem to get away from it.
Thank you for sharing your worries with me. I can understand you being worried about your house burning down if that has happened to you. I also understand not wanting to leave the house. so many people are saying how they have stomach bugs so i would rather just stay in and know i'm safe :/
If you ever need someone to talk too then i'm here for you :)
Posted 2/3/2014 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Bathgirl -

I am emetophobic, too!!! I have been for many years. (I am 37 now). I am absolutely terrified of vomiting. Not only myself doing it, but anyone else. This time of year with norovirus going around is extremely stressful for me.

I freak out if I see someone vomit on TV.

If I hear anyone doing it (like my husband) I will basically hide. He had Noro a couple years ago and I packed a bag and went to my parents. Last Summer he ate something that didn't agree with him (it was the day of my dance recital) and got sick that night. I sat outside for about 1/2 hour because I couldn't be in the apartment.

I get mad at him for not washing his hands as often as I want him to.

I spend tons of money on special hand sanitizer that kills norovirus germs. It's called Germstar Noro and it can only be ordered online.

Luckily I have been able to meet other people like us because it does make me feel isolated. It's hard to have fun sometimes because all I can think about are the germs. I've actually been to restaurants and asked the server if anyone has been ill.
Posted 2/3/2014 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hello BG 29,

It really, really can get better.   You may want to try to  meditate every day and at this point, when you  feel panicked by a situation, nobody else will know . If you can remain calm and reasonable until you can politely excuse yourself, you will recover more quickly.  

Trying  a low-dose antidepressant as an anxiolytic, may  help.  Also seeing  a therapist may work in figuring out what, exactly what  about vomiting scares you. 

I wish I had something really concrete to tell you - a true success story. I do not have this problem but our member, SC, has a success story I am sure she will share with you.

It takes hard work and the work can be stressful and scary. But you don't have to be dragged around by your fear.  CBT therapy is often very successful for people with phobias.  We have a free online course here in the forum.  I will put the link here for you.

Free on-line CBT programs:

http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome

Mindfulness Meditation

 

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/06/03/new-to-mindfulness-how-to-get-started/#.Urr-gZ3naAI

We are here to support you and listen anytime.  :-)

Posted 2/3/2014 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
I also suffer from the same fears, and in fact, it has ruined my life and many of my relationships. I am simply terrified of stomach viruses beyond belief. I don't have time now to go into details, but you are not alone.
Posted 2/3/2014 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. Its really nice to know that im not suffering with this alone and that there are people out there that fear the same things as me :)
If anyone wants a chat then im here :)
Posted 2/5/2014 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

I am sorry that you are suffering with these worries. I know how you feel.

Here is a link that you might want to read...along with the other wonderful advice you have already received here!



https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=2983422

Keep posting with us...support is key!

Scaredy Cat

Posted 2/5/2014 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya thanks so much for everyone's replies :) Its nice to know i have people to talk too when things get tough xx
Posted 2/5/2014 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
So tonight is that night when i need someone to talk too.
My sister hasnt been well for a while. She has a chronic Sinus infection.My dad has had to take her to A&E this evening because the pain as got so bad.
But all the while i cant help thinking of myself and hoping she doesnt bring home a stomach bug from the hospital and how im going to cope if she does.
Im feel so selfish and hate myself :'-(
Posted 2/5/2014 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
BG,

Please don't feel guilty or selfish for having a fear/phobia.

We know that you care for your sister. While you are of course concerned for her...you are also battling your own personal worries about your biggest worry.

However, know that your family members can't just bring this type of virus home simply by being at the hosptial. They would have to contract it, and then spread it to you...and that is an unlikely thing.

My daughter had a critically ill friend this past year, whom we visited at the hosptial on numerous occasions. We would have to walk past the ER...smack in the middle of flu season, as well as use the bathrooms, ect...

We never once got sick.:)

Keep trying to focus on your coping skills (see our Resources) and thinking positive thoughts all aroun...about your sister and yourself being well and fine.:)

S.C.
Posted 2/15/2014 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi how is everyone?
Posted 2/16/2014 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bathgal, My anxiety about the subject has been thru the roof lately (as usual), and my OCD meds are not helping at all. The Dr. keeps wanting to increase the dosage, but I am phobic about meds, too. I have had so many panic attacks this weekend, it's unreal.

I wish I could feel there was hope for this, but I don't.
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