Re: Emetophobia taking over
Hi
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Re: Emetophobia taking over
Hello,
I’m so sorry you’re going through this.
I don’t have a lot of advice as I have emetophobia too, but mine really focuses on my child - I fear her being sick! I think it’s the lack of control thing.
So that being said, you have 3 big events coming up and they must be quite stressful - although very enjoyable, you’ll have a lot on your shoulders and is it possible that your anxiety is focusing itself on emetophobia as an outlet for the worry?
Perhaps if you start some planning lists for the events, maybe keep a journal to track your thoughts, then maybe it’ll help to alleviate the stress a bit. On top of that, have you tried mindfulness? It might be a help in al of your situations.
You are at a wonderful point of your life - I really loved my 30’s! And it would be such a shame to miss out on all the good opportunities, events and food. I lost a lot of my 20’s to my fear of being sick on a train or passing out in a supermarket. I stopped socialising and lost a lot of my friends. The ones that I still have 20 years later we’re so patient.
Anyway, I digress!
You’re not alone, it’s a really common phobia- I mean, who wants to be sick? But it’s not going to suddenly creep up on you, you’ll be ok. Enjoy these fabulous events - how wonderful that you’re such an important part of your brothers wedding! I’d be a bit stressed too, but so would “normal” people.
Re: Emetophobia taking over
Thank you, Scass. I'm sorry that you have to deal with this too, especially when it's with your daughter! I can imagine it must be a lot more difficult when you're worried about your child. But she's lucky to have you.
That's an excellent point about the anxiety latching onto emetophobia. My therapist thinks it stems from me putting pressure on myself to be perfect during these evens, so I think you're probably spot on. Mindfulness is a great suggestion too.
It's refreshing to hear that you felt the same way and have been able to regain some control over your life. I feel completely overrun by this; it's unlike anything I've experienced before and my fear is that this is how things will be forever now. It seems very intense and real.
Re: Emetophobia taking over
I could of written this myself. Although I’m a little younger than yourself and my emetophobia has been lifelong.
The only thing that’s really helped me is having my doctor prescribe some antiemetics. I did use them quite heavily to start with sort of as a crutch to get me through the stressful things but knowing that I shouldn’t be able to be sick while taking them made me much more comfortable. Especially for my best friends wedding (I was his best woman too!) and I had a lot of anxiety about standing up with him in the ceremony and then for the speech too. It was a wonderful day and I’m so proud of being able to be there for him though. They helped me with my own wedding too.
Over the last few months however I’ve actually only taken less than a handful of them with nausea associated with my cycle and not a single one in over a month now. Even with going and getting a tattoo a couple of days ago! I think they gave me back the sense of control I was lacking, and knowing that they are always there to take if I need them has meant that I actually don’t need them anymore and I’m not so worried about it.
I’m still emetophobic and I imagine I probably always will be by this point but I’m eating well, even take out food. And I’m not counting days or hours from food/going out waiting for symptoms to come in.
Positive vibes,
Mouse
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Re: Emetophobia taking over
That's amazing, Midnight-mouse, well done! I can't imagine eating take out food without a lot of anxiety and count downs right now, so that's amazing that you've been able to get to that point, that's huge for somebody with emetophobia!! And being able to reduce needing the anti-nausea medicine, that shows real progress. It's really refreshing to hear stories of people who experience this, but have been able to find a way to still enjoy life (and food, drinks, events, etc).
I think that's a good suggestion for the antiemetics. I've also considered taking CBD gummies (now that they're legal where I live!) on these bigger occasions to just give me the knowledge that it's even less likely that I'll throw up. I think for the wedding especially that will be helpful. I guess I was kind of worried of becoming reliant on them, but your case is a clear case that they can be helpful and productive, and not turn into a crutch.
Today I find myself completely focused on another health related issue related to the unexpected death of a friend earlier this year due to a very rare illness. Unsurprisingly, I have had no stomach issues today, which is a nice break, but instead suddenly am showing all early warning signs of that illness instead. Funny how that works out :wacko:.
I think a big part of the recovery for this seems to be just accepting the fact that it will happen again, and when it does, it won't be as bad as I think it is. And how often does food poisoning or the stomach flu really happen? I envy my friends and coworkers who get the stomach flu/food poisoning, or have partners/roommates who have the stomach flu, and just accept it as gross and upsetting, but momentary part of life that does not define you as a person.
Re: Emetophobia taking over
Quote:
Originally Posted by
leanderson2012
That's amazing, Midnight-mouse, well done! I can't imagine eating take out food without a lot of anxiety and count downs right now, so that's amazing that you've been able to get to that point, that's huge for somebody with emetophobia!! And being able to reduce needing the anti-nausea medicine, that shows real progress. It's really refreshing to hear stories of people who experience this, but have been able to find a way to still enjoy life (and food, drinks, events, etc).
I think that's a good suggestion for the antiemetics. I've also considered taking CBD gummies (now that they're legal where I live!) on these bigger occasions to just give me the knowledge that it's even less likely that I'll throw up. I think for the wedding especially that will be helpful. I guess I was kind of worried of becoming reliant on them, but your case is a clear case that they can be helpful and productive, and not turn into a crutch.
Today I find myself completely focused on another health related issue related to the unexpected death of a friend earlier this year due to a very rare illness. Unsurprisingly, I have had no stomach issues today, which is a nice break, but instead suddenly am showing all early warning signs of that illness instead. Funny how that works out :wacko:.
I think a big part of the recovery for this seems to be just accepting the fact that it will happen again, and when it does, it won't be as bad as I think it is. And how often does food poisoning or the stomach flu really happen? I envy my friends and coworkers who get the stomach flu/food poisoning, or have partners/roommates who have the stomach flu, and just accept it as gross and upsetting, but momentary part of life that does not define you as a person.
It would of been easy to fall into being too comfortable just relying on antiemetic, in fact I have a friend with the same phobia that does take them multiple times a day every day. I had to be strict with myself after a while.
As for how often it happens really, I haven’t had a stomach bug that’s made me vomit in easily 15+ years even when I wasn’t at all being careful and going to a very large school. My husband hasn’t had one in 7 years either. Much to my displeasure (and OCD) his hand hygiene and food safety is a far shout from my own. So realistically it’s not something we should be worried about too much but even with all the logical thinking in the world, that’s not how phobias tend to operate.
We can work on things though, my biggest achievement was starting to eat take away chicken curry again last year, from the local Indian takeaway and not panicking or counting out the hours. More recently I’ve been able to relax a lot more after being out in public and not doing a 72 hour count down convinced I had picked up a stomach bug. It is possible, it takes a good amount of mental determination.
I’ve supported my mum when she’s had gastritis attacks that cause her to vomit, even if every atom of my being wants to run. But it is one of the reasons I’ve chosen to not have children, that and many others completely unrelated to my phobias and mental illnesses mind you!
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Re: Emetophobia taking over
That's amazing!! I really don't know how I would handle somebody getting sick around me. Of course I would want to help them, but just as you put it, every atom of me would want to run.
We have a stomach bug going around the office right now and I'm totally panicking. But I'm trying to face the fears - bagels and breakfast spread was put out today and I am going to force myself to have some of it. I know my coworkers aren't licking all the donuts and bagels that are laid out, everyone is just grabbing what they want and that's it, but I'm still panicking. But I'm going to try to go for it to face this fear. Wish me luck :emot-eek:
Re: Emetophobia taking over
Quote:
Originally Posted by
leanderson2012
That's amazing!! I really don't know how I would handle somebody getting sick around me. Of course I would want to help them, but just as you put it, every atom of me would want to run.
We have a stomach bug going around the office right now and I'm totally panicking. But I'm trying to face the fears - bagels and breakfast spread was put out today and I am going to force myself to have some of it. I know my coworkers aren't licking all the donuts and bagels that are laid out, everyone is just grabbing what they want and that's it, but I'm still panicking. But I'm going to try to go for it to face this fear. Wish me luck :emot-eek:
You will be fine, in fact stomach bugs aren’t easily spread by saliva at all. It’s hands mainly, as long as everyone touches only what they eat (most adults do) then it’s perfectly fine. Enjoy your donut/bagel! These fears shouldn’t limit our lives everyday when the ‘worst possible’ would only make a couple days a little miserable before we felt better!
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Re: Emetophobia taking over
Thank you!! I went for it and got my bagel (who would have thought that would be considered to be such an accomplishment?!) I'm going to try to embrace the fact that it's done and I'm proud of myself for facing this fear, and there's nothing else I can do at this point. If I get it, as you said, it will just be a few days of grossness and I'll be back to normal. Trying to repeat this as much as possible and keep the panic at bay. Deep breaths :)