How to overcome the fear of catching a tummy bug when one of your dc come down with it

[Carwashandthemoog]

TW in case anyone is similar to me and suffers from emetophobia.

My dc are 18 and 15 and (luckily) we haven’t had a tummy bug in the house since their primary school days.

However, dd15 has had a rotten cold all week and last night (between 1-7am) she vomited 7 times (at first was hoping it was a one off but sadly not). She was so upset bless her but she got through it well and is now sleeping. Several of her school friends have had a similar thing the last few days (typically at the very beginning of half term 🙄).

I was up each time with her but kept my distance by talking to her from my bedroom doorway (normal sized house with bathroom between our bedrooms so not a huge distance away so probably still ingested the virus).

I laid there all night in a state of pure anxiety (and obviously concern for dd) and yes I know that sounds pathetic as a 50 year old but I’ve suffered with emetophobia for years and I’ve also suffered for decades with gut issues which have developed into a huge fear of diarrhoea as well (for some reason, if I catch anything like this I’m ‘off’ for weeks, not just a day or two).

I feel like it is now a waiting game until I succumb. Dh has kindly bleached and deep cleaned the bathroom this morning but I’m still afraid to go in there.

I am under a neuro-gastroenterologist as I have struggle greatly with the mental health aspect rising from my gut issues and know that I need help. It’s been a two year wait and I am eventually starting some acceptance therapy in May.

But how do I relax and drop the fear over this right now, knowing I will probably get this too over the next few days?

This is something my sister also suffers from to the point she is childless as she was too scared to fall pregnant in case she suffered from morning sickness. Yet my parents don’t have this at all so no idea where this developed from?

Ridiculously, I will be frozen in my thought process from now until I either come down with this thing or it passes uneventfully. I will honestly not be able to concentrate on anything now, I may as well go to bed and pull the covers over my head.

Yes, I see and accept that it’s totally pathetic and I do need a wet fish slapped across my face!

Fellow emetaphobe here. Do not give yourself a hard time.
Doesn't mean you are going to catch it. I'd concentrate on getting by one hour at a time. Each hour you don't vom is a plus. Personally, I set myself 48 hours. If after then I haven't vommed, I consider that it's missed me. Massive hugs, you are not alone, it's a common phobia and it's awful. Xx

Thank you so much clarepetal. I will definitely take it hour by hour, thanks for that tip.

So annoying as we were going out for a rare family meal tonight to celebrate my ds’s 18 which was back in October (which we had to cancel as he’d come down with Covid 🙄)

Fellow Emetophobe here - I recommend ordering NewGenn and spraying everywhere liberally.

The chances are you will NOT catch this but obviously that doesn't help right now. Sending germ free hugs to you.

obvs too late for this time but fab to have in the house!

Thank you Hoglet70 will most definitely be ordering myself some of this for the future.