Emetophobia help

[daphnedoo12]

Hi,

As a child I had severe emetophobia to the point where I couldn't eat or stay in the same house as someone who had vomited.

This fear slowly eased, I work in nursing so it's something I come across often and I generally hadn't been sick as an adult so I was coping well.

Now I have children and my son was sick and we all caught the bug while I was in my third trimester and I had to go to hospital due to dehydration. I put that behind me, it was fine, we all got through it.

Tonight my son is violently sick, I have my DH here helping and I'm like a nervous wreck. I haven't even cuddled my son. I'm shaking, I'm a nervous wreck.

I'm so angry at myself, I'm catching vomit and I'm keeping everything clean but I'm not coping like I have in the past.

Is there any advice? How does anyone else cope with this fear?

I will be speaking to the doctor and I would definitely like to try counselling

Sorry i cant offer any help but i just wanted to let you know your not alone. I had basically recovered from my emetophobia until a few months ago when it is pretty much constantly in my head.
I had a child a few years ago and it has gradually got worse to the point where im just waiting for him to get a stomach bug and its going round my head every day.
Im at the point where i think i need some kind of counselling too.

Another sufferer here, I’ve tried CBT and hypnotherapy and neither worked. About 1.5 months ago I got put on 50mg sertraline and it’s definitely helped to take the edge off of it. The thoughts are still there but not as obsessive anymore.

I was there a couple of months ago, take a deep breath and give him a cuddle. You don’t need to get in his face (I know I didn’t!) but just do it for both of your sakes. This too shall pass

I feel you OP
Obviously these things affect everyone differently but the following helped me get over my extreme emetophobia (I still don't love being around sick people but I can cope better now):

1. I asked myself what I was most afraid of (for me it was being sick in a public place - e.g. uni lecture). For you, it might be going back to hospital
2. I reasoned what actually would happen if my worst fear were realised. For me, it may be a bit embarrassing but it wouldn't be the end of the world. For you (if you're afraid of going back into hospital), you might feel rubbish but you got through it last time so theres no reason you wouldn't again
3. I made the conscious decision not to let it take my life away from me - I didn't want to miss out on meals out (in case I got food poisoning) or on days out (in case I had to vomit) anymore. That was the toughest but made the biggest difference.

I hope that helps you and/or you get the help you need as I know how crippling emetophobia can be

My son was sick all night, appears to have perked up but my DH is feeling sick now. I wish I hadn't have this irrational fear