Really scared and could do with a hand hold - emetophobia, child with V. No scary words or descriptions.

[MountainSun]

Whilst camping last night my 5 year old V-ed. Its been going round school but I thought we’d escaped it. Obviously due to the conditions out camping it was a nightmare trying to be sanitary.
She’s feeling much better now but I’m not. I haven’t been hungry all day and I’m seriously tired and just not feeling great. I’m not sure if it’s down to the stressful day which began at 4am, or if I’m coming down with it too. I’ve only had around 800 calories today but I’m not hungry at all. Which isn’t usual.

I’m just so so scared of coming down with it tonight. I’m terrified. And I feel like the worst mother ever that THIS is my pervading concern :(

Just wanted a handhold really. Sorry.

Bless you. What a tough time you’re having. Handhold from me,

Handhold for you here too. I haven't been hungry or eaten much today. It's just too bloody hot. And you're not a terrible mum for being worried you might get ill. You still need to think about and take care of yourself.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Oohh...hopefully you will avoid it and are just feeling like you do as a reaction. I hope your little one is fine tonight and you manage to sleep and wake tomorrow feeling better and like.tosay was the first day of a diet!

In this heat, keep drinking. That's more important than food.

You are NOT a bad mother. You have a real phobia which is seriously debilitating! This was my main worry about having children - that I would not be able to care for them if they had a bug. I had therapy for my phobia and one thing I learnt is that people with emetephobia are actually very unlikely to ever be s*ck because your mind is so powerful it basically stops you. I hope this might put your mind at ease, please try not to worry but I know it’s hard.

Did she only V the once or is it full blown norovirus.? The V-once bugs don't usually spread to adults (although they spread amongst children) Keeping fingers crossed from a fellow emetophobe

It’s probably a combo of the stress and the heat that’s suppressing your appetite. Hope you can get a better night’s rest tonight and you all wake up feeling fine tomorrow 💐

Just once - the other children at school that I know of have been similar, and I haven’t heard of any adults getting it yet although that doesn’t mean to say they haven’t.
That really gives me hope though, thank you!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, each one is so kind 💐

I have a similar phobia to you.

From the description, you are highly unlikely to be coming down with anything. The long day and the stress explain all your physical symptoms. I also wonder whether your daughter's brief illness was nothing to do with the school bug - perhaps she was just showing you what she thinks of camping!!

A few suggestions:

• Do not worry about how much sleep you get tonight - focus on relaxing, and let your body go to sleep when it feels like it.


• Keep your mind distracted. Listen to a podcast/audiobook. Read mumsnet threads. Write the first chapter of the novel you've got in you. (Depending on where you are) do some gentle chores.


• If your heart starts racing or you experience any anxiety, focus on breathing slowly. Not deeply, just slowly.


• Sip cold water.


• Turn on a fan so you have a gentle breeze in your face.

It was a one off incident, not a bug. It's over. Anxiety sucks. Don't let it ruin your fun. Enjoy your time with your daughter!