i’m an emetophobe and have a stomach bug right now!

[bimbimbap]

I’m starting this thread to keep me distracted and also hopefully to help reassure other emetophobes. I’ll avoid graphic details!

I very suddenly got ill this evening while out with a friend. It’s happened in 3 “sets” since then. I have no idea how I caught something as I’m SUPER anal about hand washing, what I eat etc.

I think what has helped me keep calm (so far) is being by myself. Having someone else around would make me panic. I also had a kind of plan of what I would do if this ever happened and I’ve put it into action. Spare quilt & pillows on bathroom floor (can be chucked after if needed), dim lighting - currently a candle so I can’t see anything as it happens, using the bath for easy aim & clean-up with the shower hose. I’m sipping bottled water but not too much & have already told my manager I won’t be in tomorrow, so don’t have to worry about that.

I’ve been properly emetophobic since childhood to the extent of panic attacks and life limiting behaviours. Tonight seems to be proof that it’s not that bad if “it” happens but I’m sure I’ll go back to being terrified once this is over.

Wish me luck!!

Well done you are doing really well. You will get through this x

You're doing really well! It'll be over soon!

You might find it does make you less fearful – the worst has happened and you're fine. It's unpleasant but you're fine. I'm not emetophobic but I hadn't thrown up while sober in 20+ years until pregnancy and I felt weirdly anxious about it. But then it inevitably happened and I was like 'huh I just feel better and it wasn't that bad'. So fingers crossed you can relax a bit more once you're back to being well again!

I hope you feel better soon! It sounds like you're doing great

Oh god I feel for you, I haven't been sick for 26 years and terrified. I would also want dark room and empty house

Well done, sounds like you're doing great and can get through this!

Good vibes to you , you are going to be fine. It'll all be over before you know it ! x

Well done, you’ve got this. I understand cos I have ocd, used to be around vomit and then one day my son was poorly in the car and weirdly it really helped me realise that I can cope. Keep doing deep breaths, remind yourself how awesome you are! It’ll be over soon.

You're living it, right now, you're doing great and it will only get better from now. Goes to show FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real (cliche but it's true). The reality is far less awful than the thought.

Awesome work, OP! From a fellow emetophobe

Yes, that's the funny thing (funny, not funny) it isn't actually as bad as you fear if it finally does happen to you.

Well done for handling it so well! I don't think you will necessarily go back to your old levels of fear. It will probably help you in the long run. Gentley sucking on ice cubes might help if you have any. Flat coke (heat it up to make it flat) is a proven cure too.

You’re doing great. You really are. The plan sounds great. Fly lady has a great plan for bugs too. I have used it before and I also find spraying lemon Flash or similar down the loo to smell cleanness
It’ll soon be done

You're doing really well.

Well done for having a plan in place.

You've got this

Great job! Being sick after drinking too much at 40 years of age (before thatI had not thrown up since childhood) cured my emetophobia straight away. It's just as you said: going through it and reaslising it was not that bad is all it tool. Fingers crossed the same happens to you so this stomach bug ends up being a massive positive!

*"all it took", not "tool"

Oh OP I feel for you as a fellow severe emetophobe. I’m having hypnotherapy for it currently and one of the things I’m trying to learn is that if the worst did happen and I was to be sick it actually wouldn’t be too terrible but of course the reality is too hard to think about until it happens!
Well done for being so calm so far!

How you getting on OP?

Well done @bimbimbap

I'm just awaiting a suitable slot for some more therapy for my emetophobia. CBT helped to a degree but I'm still a mess if one of the kids puke (didn't think the whole having kids / how often they get ill thing through properly!!)

Thanks everyone! I survived the night on the bathroom floor & am in my own bed now (after bleaching & putting everything in a boil wash). It’s been weird - “It” kept happening with very little warning which I assume to be better than extended nausea, my stomach wasn’t even sore & I didn’t have any other symptoms. Also “it” was always productive, I would have hated dry heaving.

Gonna try to rehydrate, sleep and mentally process this afterwards. Just wanted to reassure others that it’s not that bad and give a few ideas of things that might help if the worst happens!

Hope you feel better soon and feel proud of yourself for getting through it.

Well done. Hope you are feeling better