***I'VE JUST FINISHED WRITING THIS AND MUST WARN YOU THAT IT GOES ON A BIT, SORRY!***
Hi all, I'm 35 and have been an Emet for as long as I can remember...
I just wanted to list some of my 'behaviours' - partly because it might help me to see it all written down, partly in the hope that others will share their cranky activities (to reassure me I'm not TOTALLY crazy). So, here goes:
*I once phoned my mum at 3am to come and look after my 1 year old child (who was 'ill'). Then left him inside alone and waited on the doorstep;
*lots of handwashing, particularly after going anywhere;
*avoiding houses/buildings where anyone is known to be/have been ill, as well as anyone who has been there themselves;
*not going to my mums house for nearly two weeks because she had a bug;
*no trains, no boats, def no buses (ever), planes only with Diazepam, only cars that I'm driving (currently can't go more than 10 miles from home, sometimes am ok with passengers and sometimes not);
*once, I was about to board a plane to Majorca (had taken Diazepam!) when, at the last minute, I couldn't go through with it. Made my friends go without me (my rucksack went);
*ALWAYS have sea-bands and motilium (anti-s*** pills) in my bag;
*if anyone around me pulls a face/rubs their stomach they automatically get an inquisition from me (also applies when talking to friends on the phone). I absolutely have to know everything about their symptoms, how long they've had them, what they think it is etc. Why must I know? I don't really want details but I have to have them!
*I will start to feel ill if I hear of anyone I've been in contact with (directly or indirectly) being ill. I could be at my grans house and she might say that my cousin is ill. I then have to know when that cousin was last at my grans and how long after they were there did they get ill. They might have left germs;
*if I see any s*** on the floor when I'm out, I will remember exactly where it is and avoid that place for as long as I think it will take for the evidence to disappear;
*no theme parks for me, and absolutely NO roundabout type things;
*if anyone is staying at mine, it's normal for me to question them every time they return from the bathroom;
*I won't take any medication that lists nausea or v******* (or gastric disturbance) as a possible side effect, however small the risk. I've had some rather prolonged throat/sinus infections;
*my guided self help book (I'm supposed to work through it,having a telephone session with a counsellor once a week) is buried under a pile of paperwork and books where I can't see it. I was told to read it through before starting the course, and I came to a chapter that told me I would have to do one of the things on my 'I never/can't...' list. Need I say more?
*a long time ago my ex-boyfriend had had too much to drink and was ill. While he was in the loo I grabbed the key from the door and locked him in. I fell into a fitfull sleep, and was woken about 5 hours later by my mum. I was clutching the key VERY tightly...
*so far I have broken 3 tv remotes - in a completely involuntary action they have been launched at the tv when someone on it does the thing before I have chance to turn over/close my eyes, block my ears and sing really loudly;
*I always check sell-by dates, and throw stuff away 2 days before. I've become very good at slyly checking dates when in other peoples houses. And I will ask my mum how long the cream/dairylea/anything has been open;
Right, I think I'd better stop now - this has got far too long! Sorry for going on and on, and if you're still here thank you!
Please share, I'm feeling quite worried now...
x