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Original poster

Emetaphobia - ruining my life

12 replies

TheAvidLemonPeer · 17/04/2025 20:18

I’ve taken my two kids to a trampoline park today and now I’m in some kind of downward spiral. I have Emetaphobia and I’ve convinced myself they’ll be unwell tonight. I tried to clean their hands as much as possible etc but they were having such a great time I hardly saw them. I know letting them have fun and being children is the right thing to do but I’m now overtaken with this anxiety which I know will last for at least 48 hours. Does anyone have any tips to get me through this period without driving myself, my husband and my children mad?

OP posts:
Candlekiax · 17/04/2025 20:22

Go to your doctor and get help for your anxiety before it ruins your family, your husband and kids don't deserve it.

In the meantime, try to distract yourself with something.

GrazeConcern · 17/04/2025 20:25

You have to fight the phobia. I sympathise, I was arachnophobic for years, changing where I sat, how I sat, where I went etc.

What worked for me was just accepting they were part of life and assuming I would see a spider of every minute of every day. To start off with I was a jumping wreck, but within a couple of days I began to realise I hardly saw any, when I did encounter them I was ‘ready’ and less scared.

assume they will be sick, tell yourself that’s what will happen. At the end of it you’ll have seen some stinky undigested food, but you’ll still be alive! It worked so well for me.

Maitri108 · 17/04/2025 20:30

There's some information here on dealing with anxiety.

You can find a therapist on BACP.

Original poster
TheAvidLemonPeer · 17/04/2025 20:37

Thank you! Mind page is helpful

OP posts:
coldscottishmum · 17/04/2025 20:39

I sympathise OP. I’m the same and I was struck down with a sickness bug yesterday. Couldn’t care for my 2 young children and still feel sick today although clear of any sickness for 24 hours.
I wish I had more advice but sometimes it’s just a case of riding it out. I cried all day yesterday, it’s tough.

Original poster
TheAvidLemonPeer · 17/04/2025 20:48

Oh gosh. Hope you feel better soon. The actual sick itself is more manageable for me it’s this feeling of absolute dread of ‘will it/won’t it’ for me:. When will it happen? Will it be at night? It just ruins my days

OP posts:
PenniesButton · 18/04/2025 10:44

https://emetaction.org is a great resource.

I'm sorry you're struggling, I know exactly how you're feeling and you're right, it's the waiting game that is the very worst part.

Please try to get some help, I had ERP for a year and it's given me some of my freedom back. The thoughts remain but I know how to cope with them now and just allow them to pass through my mind (like a train on a track, or leaves on a river) without responding to them.

EmetAction | First emetophobia charity | Coping with a fear of vomiting

The first emetophobia charity aimed at educating, supporting, and giving hope. regain your freedom Trigger warning! This website contains references that

https://emetaction.org

Original poster
TheAvidLemonPeer · 18/04/2025 12:37

Thank you - it’s reassuring to know I’m not alone but I do need to get help. I was up all night worrying. Everyone is fine so far but the worry remains! Appreciate you taking time to reach out x

OP posts:
mikado1 · 18/04/2025 12:44

As part of my play therapy training, I did a workshop on phobias and one of the two case studies was a child with emetophobia. The trainer was Margot Sunderland ie excellent and renowned. She said a phobia of any kind is a story left untold... you might not know what the origin of this is OP, but it's coming from somewhere, so often childhood. Her suggestion was to follow your thought process on this - so you think they will be sick tonight, ok, and then what will happen? And continue after you've answered, and then what? Keep going...and then what? Try to go there with the reality of cleaning up etc. It's obviously not the same as the therapist going there with you but maybe it could be helpful as a start.
In our case study the childhood fear was that no one would help her clean up her mess... vomit or life struggles. It was a parenthood child and her anxiety that in a vulnerable or helpless situation, there would be no one there to help her..
Wishing you the best.

MrsBtobe2020 · 18/04/2025 13:12

I struggled for 25 years before acknowledging it was ruining my life and parenting. I had CBT for about 10 months and the improvement was astounding. It no longer rules my life, best thing I ever did. I went through my local talking therapies and they referred me to a cbt counsellor who was fantastic.

MeridaBrave · 18/04/2025 13:15

We went to see any amazing therapist for my son’s ARFID. Only needed one session. His name is Felix Economides.

Original poster
TheAvidLemonPeer · 18/04/2025 16:05

You guys are all amazing. I was so hesitant to post but I really believe it was the best thing. I am determine to change so I hope I can follow up on some of the advice here and improve our quality of life x thank you

OP posts:
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