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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wish this stupid phobia would go away?

31 replies

MySmallToeNail · 04/01/2014 20:06

Have a severe phobia about being sick that impacts on my whole life. I have a very restricted diet now, due to being scared of 'unsafe' foods and as for this time of year with the 'sick bug', I hate even going out. I get so stressed when having to go to see people in hospital - have a poorly MIL - and have panic attacks if I see someone be ill on tv - even if it is on a soap and not real!!
Hate how pathetic this makes me feel :(

OP posts:
autumnsmum · 04/01/2014 20:08

I'm the same I'm terrified being around sick. .its not stupid it's fear many people have

greenbananas · 04/01/2014 20:10

Phobias are weird and nearly always a bit irrational. That's the nature of the beast! - so don't blame yourself.

Are there any particular foods or situations that genuinely make you sick? (am thinking intolerance and such like)

SomethingkindaOod · 04/01/2014 20:10

Didn't want to leave you unanswered, just had a search because I was sure I saw something in active convos and I was right, there's an Emetophobes thread in the mental health section, quite a big one as well.
Thanks for you! it must be horrible to deal with x

SomethingkindaOod · 04/01/2014 20:11

X posted, sorry Blush

FetchezLaVache · 04/01/2014 20:12

YANBU to wish it would fuck off, but YABU to feel pathetic. Emetophobia is reasonably common, I believe. My sister has it, but not as badly as you. There are lots of sufferers on here, so please don't feel alone! Someone will be able to point you in the direction of practical help, I'm sure.

CrohnicallySick · 04/01/2014 20:12

Have you been to the doctors? I also suffer with emetophobia, though not to the extent you do. Anyway, I took fluoxetine for depression a while back, and as a bonus my emetophobia vastly reduced (fluoxetine/Prozac is also licenced as an anti anxiety med). My DD was sick yesterday and I not only stayed in the room, I did all the cleaning!

So I would say, go to the doctors, start a med but also CBT- cognitive behaviour therapy- which will help modify your thoughts so you aren't as scared.

And the good news is, being less scared doesn't mean you're more likely to be sick! (I know that was a worry of mine)

And it's not pathetic, it's one of the most common phobias out there, just one that isn't talked about very much.

Killinascullion · 04/01/2014 20:12

Go and see a good hypnotherapist. They're usually very successful treating most phobias.

You shouldn't have to live your life in fear.

greenbananas · 04/01/2014 20:12

Following on from my last post, a fear of sick is not particularly irrational really. When not taken to extremes, it has some survival value - and so is probably inbuilt in all of us to some extent.

Dolallytats · 04/01/2014 20:12

I'm like that too. My head says I'm being silly, but I can't bring myself to be sensible about these things.

Agoraphobic as well.....yay, go me!! ConfusedBlush

Selks · 04/01/2014 20:13

Use that hatred of the phobia as a source of strength in getting better OP...CBT is recommended treatment, have you tried it?

Original poster
MySmallToeNail · 04/01/2014 20:20

Thank you for your kind comments :) I have tried hypnotherapy, but my mind seemed to be too strong to let it work, sadly. I have also been to my GP about it and have seen a psychologist, had CBT, had meds and counselling. Have had it since the birth of my oldest DC, who is now nearly 25. I don't have any food intolerances that I know of, but I now only eat fruit, veg, pasta and rice ( if I cook it and eat it straight away!). Can't eat meat, fish, eggs and a whole other list of things that I have associated with feeling ill at some point.

OP posts:
BrownSauceSandwich · 04/01/2014 20:21

What Crohnicallysick said... Phobias are often a manifestation of other stress/anxiety. If you can reduce sources of stress in your life, get more exercise, get counselling, hypnotherapy or CBT for general stress or depression, or medication if you need that, you might find the phobia resolves (or improves) all on its own.

Taking measures to not throw up is not addressing the real problem, and may build up other health and wellbeing problems. See your doctor and make sure try know how this is affecting your behaviour.

Halloweenjunkie · 04/01/2014 20:25

I am exactly the same. I've suffered from emetophobia all my life. Got to the point a few years ago where it was impacting my work and day to day life as I was having panic attacks. I went to the doctors and was sent on a CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) course. It changed my life. I'm not cured, but I am so much better than I was. Winter time is always tough because the stomach bugs are doing the rounds. Get yourself to the GP and ask for help. Ask to be referred for CBT. I was terrified that exposure therapy would mean that I would have to make myself sick - not the case at all, it was just about talking about my feelings. Please don't be afraid or embarrassed to seek help. It's a really common phobia, it's just not one that is talked about often

CrohnicallySick · 04/01/2014 21:02

I see you've tried a lot of things, have you tried them in combination? Sometimes meds can reduce the anxiety just enough to allow one of the other approaches to work. And you might need to try a few different meds to find one that works for you.

Original poster
MySmallToeNail · 04/01/2014 21:13

Thank you chron, I will take on board yours and all of the other advice. Willing to try anything now as feel so pathetic that I can't eat out, drink alcohol, eat 'normally' and hate the panic attacks too. Having had this for so many years, I am tired of it now.
Thank you all for taking the time to reply. This is my first post on here ever and was a bit nervous :)

OP posts:
Daisycat22 · 05/01/2014 00:12

Oh god.....I have this too, had it all my life and it affects everything I do and even developed into agoraphobia years ago.

I have tried CBT, counselling but I can't take any meds as sickness is a possible side effect!

I've recently contracted a stomach bug (not been sick in years) and it has made me 100 x worse.

Sorry my post isn't helpful, just wanted to share with youBlush

Original poster
MySmallToeNail · 05/01/2014 12:29

Thank you Daisycat, it makes me feel better to know I am not the only person with this- I don't know anyone else who has it x

OP posts:
Boaty · 05/01/2014 12:34

Another one here...even seeing it on tv gives me the shakes and I KNOW it is fake..
My DS aged 4 had to clean the car out many years ago when he was sick, I couldn't go near the car!

Original poster
MySmallToeNail · 05/01/2014 12:42

Oh boaty, that kind of thing happened to me too. Felt so guilty when my DC were ill and crying for me and I had to just call to them through the door :(

OP posts:
TheCrumpetQueen · 05/01/2014 12:42

I have it too, since before I can remember. Impacted my life a lot - got horrible panic attacks, had to quit uni, never travelled with school, never ate out etc but then got CBT and it greatly reduced the anxiety over it.

I have a ds now and when he was sick I rushed to him and cleaned it up (not looking directly at it though :) ) still very scared of being sick myself though

I hope yours settles x

Original poster
MySmallToeNail · 05/01/2014 12:44

Thank you Crumpet :) I hope you continue to manage it :)

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Boaty · 05/01/2014 12:49

Poor table manners makes me feel ill...I then get panicky...DC learnt very young to eat nicely..
If I am ill I dread feeling/being sick. I then panic.
I think it actually started when I was poorly as a child and then my DGF triggered a reaction with his awful table manners. I was sick. Then every time we had a meal I was on edge over feeling sick.

TheCrumpetQueen · 05/01/2014 14:31

It's such a vicious cycle because you feel anxious about feeling sick, which then leads to nausea because you're anxious - leads to more panic!

If you fight the anxiety, it lessens every time. If you don't stand up to it (run away etc) the anxiety grows and wins

Balaboosta · 05/01/2014 14:58

I really really feel your pain cos I have this too! Cbt did little for me but mindfulness meditation has been transformative. Google a site called "what mediation really is", find a course and take it from there. If you are in London, there's a place in kings cross called Rigpa and they run courses, new ones starting at the moment.

Original poster
MySmallToeNail · 05/01/2014 16:12

Thank you Balaboosta :) sadly, I live too far away from London but will see if there is anywhere closer to me x

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