Does anybody else have emetephobia

[FoxyBloxy]

Just wondered if there was anybody else with this phobia on here? I have had CBT for it in the past and it did work until I caught a stomach bug and it was back to square one. Has anything else helped for anyone? It’s literally taking over my life and I am fed up with it. I know it’s not rational and I have tried my best to over come it but I can’t. Something has triggered me today and I’ve done nothing but worry. I’m a bag of nerves currently and feel like crying. It would be good to speak to people who know how I feel. Thanks!

Sorry to hear you're struggling today- I don't think anyone understands just how terrifying and debilitating this disease is. It has literally ruined my life over the years.

I'm currently doing better thanks to the right meds (Olanzapine) and a serious bout of ERP therapy.

@SaltedChoco It really is terrifying😞 It makes me feel really alone too because nobody around me understands (which I get) Sorry to hear your struggles with it too. Glad you're doing better

I used to, along with pretty severe ocd, and health anxiety. I will honestly say that sertraline has changed my life. I no longer worry about things and I sailed through both of my children having stomach bugs last month. It wasn't pleasant, but I coped.
I used to carry sick bags with me everywhere just in case I needed to vomit and it used to rule my life.

If you do, then don't go and watch the film Triangle of Sadness.

Yes, I do, quite severely. I've considered medication but the worry that the initial side effects of something like sertraline can include vomiting is too much and I can't do it.

My DD does. She has a severe physical reaction when anyone in the family is sick. Cries, shakes, goes bright red etc. She won't use the toilet or even the bathroom until it's been bleached to within an inch of its life.

It's been a fun week as she's actually had a tummy bug and been sick for the first time since she was 2.

A previous PP has said they have health anxiety. My DD has this too, she's utterly convinced she's going to die young. Every pain she gets is googled until she's beside herself with worry. Do the two things often go hand in hand?

@adognamedrover My GP asked me if I wanted to try sertraline along with CBT but I said no as I was a bit nervous. I may look into it then as I’d love to get rid of this

@VintageThoughts Your DD sounds just like me😞
@WeWereInParis That was one of the reasons why I said no

Yep, I've had this for 44 years. For me it developed into full blown agoraphobia, I was so terrified in case I puke when I am out.. I stopped going out, because panic attacks can cause vomiting so I've avoided leaving the house for decades. I've had therapy on top of therapy, nothing has worked.

I wish I could offer advice, I do know people who've recovered but sadly that's not me.

x

I know it's silly of me really. I even got them prescribed with an anti sickness medication as well, and a plan to start on a really low dose (this was actually to treat PND, but the emetophobia came up in discussions about anti-depressants and their side effects). But I really struggle to even make myself swallow pills that have the potential to cause sickness. The thought of adding potentially huge stress of nausea/vomiting on top of how low I was feeling with PND was just all too much to face.

I will say though, I'm much better than I was. I used to have severe agoraphobia due to panic that I would be sick while out. I couldn't handle public transport at all, and wouldn't leave the house except for work. I now don't really struggle with agoraphobia at all. But with two small children I do constantly worry about stomach bugs, and stress about making sure I do not pass this phobia down to them!

Yes, severely and it’s at its worst currently with a toddler at nursery full time.. I’m working my way through the emetephobia manual by Ken Goodman, recommended by another sufferer. I had exposure therapy when I was younger in my teens but I couldn’t finish it. I’m on a waiting list for CBT. I’m ok with daily life until I (think) I feel sick or my child is ill (with anything) and then I totally spiral. Used to rarely leave the house, restricted foods, alcohol, social events etc but have learnt to live with it. The absolute fear that comes over me if I’m faced with it though is indescribable and I wouldn’t wish the phobia on anybody.

Yes I have it. I had CBT but it didn’t work. I was blessed with a child with cyclical vomiting syndrome, who could vomit up to 40 times a day for a week, too. Dealing with the exposure of that didn’t help, either, however I could cope with that because I knew I wasn’t going to catch it.

I can clean the vomit up, after the event, I just can’t see it happen. I can’t be sick either. I suffer badly with migraines and get very nauseous so have anti-sickness medication. I probably overdose on them because I’m so scared of vomiting. I have to lie perfectly still because any movement makes me feel worse and DH isn’t allowed to sleep in the same bed when I’m unwell in case he moves the bed.

When my children got older they weren’t allowed to come home so drunk they’d vomit. If I hear there’s a sickness bug going round I get really panicky. Before I book i holiday I go on trip advisor for the hotel I want to book and search for anything related to sickness. If it comes up, even if it’s 10yrs ago, I won’t book it.

I know it’s completely irrational but I can’t help. I’d love to be cured of it one day.

I have this and it's ruled and ruined parts of my life.
I'm the same tonight something has triggered me and I'm struggling.
I am on sertraline and it takes the edge off.
I'd say give it a go.
I'm considering hypnosis

@Fentylipgloss Wow I’m sorry to hear that and to hear therapy didn’t help😞 I’m so scared of having to keep living with this. It just feels as if it’s getting worse and worse. It follows me everywhere and it’s draining😞 Hope you do eventually find something that helps x

@WeWereInParis I have recently been really tempted (probably desperation more than anything) to try but every time I push myself to do so I just can’t. I have suffered with this since being a child but it’s just spiralled out of control since having children myself. My eldest who’s 6, has had 4 stomach bugs since starting school and it’s constant hell wondering when the next time is going to be and if I’ll catch it. Feels like torture sometimes

I was terrified of the side effects of taking meds, but I had to do it as my life was totally unmanageable. I still lose my head entirely if I feel sick, even though it’s mostly anxiety, or if DC feel sick.

This is a good book written by Professor Veale, the UKS emet specialist. I’ve had therapy with him and it changed my life, along with ERP at the same time. If you’re near London I can recommend an amazing team of emet therapists.

And to the pp who asked about health anxiety, yes they can go hand in hand (especially ocd). Emet is treated within the OCD units in the priory and nhs hospitals too as they are so similar.