Emetophobia hand hold needed please

[MrsHelenHuntingdon]

I have had quite bad emetophobia for as long as I can remember, but I mostly hide it day to day. Today though, out of the blue around 16:30 I started feeling shivery and s*, and had diarrhoea (tmi sorry!).

I work in a hospital and there have been a few people off with the dreaded bug. And then all the others who have been looking after their ill kids all night then just roll onto the ward for their shift 😭

I’ve taken cyclizine. I’m supposed to be taking the kids on the surprise trip of the year early tomorrow morning 😭 I just wish I knew what was going to happen. I’m so scared and I know it’s irrational but that’s what a phobia is.

I could just really do with some company from people who understand. Thanks.

Anyone 🙂😢

Here to give you a handhold. I completely understand. If you have taken an anti-emetic you will not be unwell in the way you fear, just feel a bit rough for a few days. I understand the worry about the trip tomorrow as you might still be infectious even if you aren't showing all the symptoms. Sending you strength and some company, it's such a lonely phobia and no-one really understands if they don't have it. Hope you feel completely recovered very soon.

Hi. I have the horrid phobia too. I would guess that if you have already had diarrhoea you probably won’t be sick. It takes a lot to make and emetophobe sick, often we just end up with the other end. A few years ago I survive salmonella without being sick (other end was awful). I would just keep sipping water, don’t eat anything and hope the bug just exits through the other exit 😬.
I hate this time of year and I long for the day there’s a vaccine for norovirus (apparently it’s happening soon).

Thank you so much. I really hope the cyclizine works, it’s not 100% reliable sadly, none of them are but luckily it seems to be helping so far.

The vaccine, if it works will be life changing for me. I’m going to look into signing up for the trial I think.

I don't have that, but i do have other phobias and anxiety. Have you got the Calm App? They do a great 4 minute panic session which is really good at taking the edge off things. Dwelling or thinking about it won't help. You need to just focus on relieving your anxiety as much as possible. They also have great sleep stories to help you relax and sleep. The train journeys are pretty good or anything by Eric Braa. I hope that you feel better soon.

DS (6) came down with D&V yesterday. I have a chronic health condition that includes lowered immune system so I’ve been paranoid I’m going to get it. I’m terrified of being ill. To the point that I think I’m making myself unwell.

Thank you for mentioning meditation as I have a prescription antiemetic that I am going to take to help with the nausea.

Can’t offer any advice but I’m with you for the hand hold.

Hi you poor thing. I've got the same phobia as well. I had the same symptoms as you last week, even felt sick but wasn't.
Keep yourself busy or get yourself completely relaxed whichever works for you.

Sorry you’re feeling unwell. I’m a fellow emetophobe and I second the PP who said it takes a lot to make us sick! I have managed to get through food poisoning with just the shits and no sickness before, little sips of water and deep breaths and get into a comfortable position to alleviate pressure on your stomach.

Try not to panic too much about tomorrow yet as you may well feel better by the morning 💐.

I also have emetophobia - here for the hand hold. I also had your symptoms start last night too, and I have had it on and off all day. But... no sickness. Just the other way and a high temp. My husband however has had it both ends and my 1yr old daughter too. So I know how you feel, my anxiety is climbing the walls right now.

This video helps me breathe properly when I am panicking: s the video was given to me by a therapist and I have used it for years to control breathing and help me calm down.

Podcasts to listen to which are great for helping your mind move onto other things, two of my favs; Niptuckpod and Luanna. Listened to them all day which has helped me think about other things.

Something I have just sat and done is written myself a letter, of what things I am grateful for, what I can control right now and what I cant.

Even though I have the dreaded bug in my house right now I have managed to carve out some calm space in my room on my own keeping my mind busy. I also have had an anti sickness tablet and I am holding on that every hour that passes I am one hour closer to being rid of this bug in my house.

Emetophobia is a horrific phobia and no one understands how bad it is, but reach out to likeminded people who do.

Thank you so much for the kind replies!

I’ve been on and off the loo since late afternoon, not as nauseous after the cyclizine, just getting the odd wave. I’m hoping that if it was going to be v* as well then it might have happened by now, but you never know.

@1011y wow you are doing amazing with it in the house and sounding so level headed. Thanks for the video, I’ll watch it now 🙂

How are you feeling now OP?

I am still in the grips of the bug :( would be nice to hear how others are coping and how long this will last.