To ask for support? Emetophobia.

[blanketsallday]

Argh I've spent the day in bed today feeling really tired and just started to feel shivery and nauseas.

My period is supposed to come tomorrow so have no idea if that could be why I feel unwell but I'm freaking out that I could be actually ill and maybe start throwing up- which I have a huge fear of.

Any words of wisdom to get over emetophobia or the anxiety?

I am a long time Emetophobe. Big love to you I know exactly how you are feeling. Chances are you’re probably feeling sick because you’re worried, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Do you have any breathing exercises which might help?

Tired and shivery would suggest a viral cold type thing, the nausea is probably unrelated due to worry or maybe a bit of a fever. You could also have an ear infection that's throwing off your balance and making you feel nauseous. You won't be sick unless there is something your stomach wants rid of - which sounds unlikely as it would have happened much earlier!

I have emetophobia too, do you have anything that you use to help you when you feel sick? For example I find mints, ice cold water (or an ice cube), or sour green apples always settle my stomach when I feel sick and am starting to panic over it.

Or is there something that can distract you, maybe a comedy on Netflix?
It’s really tough, but the nausea will pass, you won’t feel like this for too long.

Thank you so much guys

@Knucklehead101 Yes deep breathing does help, it's so hard to tell with anxiety as to whether you're actually ill as all of these symptoms can be symptoms of bad anxiety too 😂😭

@Pukkatea I haven't eaten much today and feel kind of hungry now but don't have much of an appetite. I have had a cold for about a week now so it's probably that and I'm just scaring myself!

@MeredithGrey1 For some reason just sitting in the bathroom helps me? I find it quite calming. I'm going to have a shower in a min and freshen up and see if I fancy some dinner later on.

It's quite treatable with therapy (CBT or systematic desensitisation). If you can't afford it you could contact AnxietyUK, & they can organise very cheap therapy for low earners (it's means tested)

www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Try fresh root ginger grated and put in a cup, then boiling water.

Let it steep for a minute and gently sip once it has slightly cooled. Boiled water is great, but with the root ginger in as well, you'll feel better in no time.

Long time emetophobe here too. I've been on medication for it for 20 years, so my nights of panicking are long ago now - but I used to pace and sip cold water. Deep breathing calms the fluttery, panic sensation. Also weirdly, getting absorbed in something on TV used to take away the sick feeling. I was a fan of figure skating for distraction, worked a treat.

But as an ancient and experienced emetophobe I can virtually 100% guarantee that you are feeling shivery and nauseous due to the anxiety. I know a doctor who has it, she often reassured me in the wee small hours that the body does some weird shit when worried!

You're never really "cured" of it imo, but you can learn to manage it with CBT and medication. Have you explored anything like that? Have a Google, it'll take your mind off things.

I find having a cup of sweet strong tea or a sugary soft drink helps. If my blood sugar dips, I get cold, shivery and nauseas.

I generally try to distract myself to ease my emetaphobia. Usually start with the 5 grounding steps, get outside for some fresh air, have a shower and then watch some tv.

I'm also quite lucky that I have a prescription for anti-emetics from the doctor. A months prescription lasts me about 3 as i only take them when I feel really bad.

Emetephobe here too. I totally understand . I can reassure you you wont be sick. I feel nauseous before my period too. Of all the times i think I'll ve sick i 99.9% of the time am not. You will be ok. Loads of love its an awful phobia xx

Not that I would wish this phobia on anyone (it’s pretty much ruined my life) but it’s sort of reassuring that there are other people like me around x

Unfortunately because of MN posters often attributing emetophobia to "not liking sick much" (which would represent almost 100% of the population), there has recently been a lot of eye-rolling about it as a genuine phobia, i.e. it gets wheeled out every time someone mentions vomit, yawn.

But there are plenty of us genuine phobics around - the ones that do anything to avoid it (I have climbed over tables, run across a dual carriageway and jumped out of a window) and spend every minute of the day and night worrying about when and where it might happen. It's not a question of just "not liking it", the fear of it ruins your life. Its pretty much the only reason I never had children.

OK I'm all done defending true emetophobes, thanks. How are you feeling OP?

@Blutopia you knew a doctor who had it?? How did that work??

If it’s any consolation I have a nasty virus right now that includes a very sore throat and nausea but there has been no vomiting (now on day 7).

Have you tried taking anti emetics when things are really bad? You can buy phenergan from a pharnacy, it’s sold for travel sickness and insomnia - I was prescribed the same thing (promethazine is the drug) during pregnancy for nausea and sickness and it’s extremely effective. I honestly wouldn’t take it all the time but if you have the odd time where you feel sick and you’re very worried, I’m sure it would help. I buy it from an online pharmacy, you just have to fill in a questionnaire.

It does make you sleepy though so careful when you take it, but if you’re struggling due to nausea and anxiety that may be a bonus!

She was - is - a very brave, kind person who hid it very well in front of her bosses and patients (always said she could fake it while she was wearing the white coat, she worked in a hospital), but barely ate and came home and poured her horrors out to a very small email syndicate of other phobics - we all met on a forum.

She is doing very well now - she is a psychiatrist and author - and I'm still in awe of her, I couldn't have done it.

I'm a nurse so that does make things difficult for me at times. I'm more scared of it being contagious though, although I don't like dealing with it obviously.

Survived so far! Ate some dinner earlier and now I'm starting to get period cramps so that's probably why I've felt so crap today

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've done some CBT before but nothing specifically for emetophobia so I will definitely be looking into that.

So sorry to hear that so many of us suffer.

I’m glad you’re ok. I’m currently in the bathroom having a panic attack as I feel unwell and I’m petrified I will be sick. I’m so frightened! This is a nightmare!

@Dita73 oh my gosh, no! How are you doing? You've got this, get comfy and have some funny YouTube videos to watch.

I'm emetophobic as well, but I caught a tummy bug a few months again and found that actually throwing up after managing to avoid doing it for years has really helped!

It made me realise that it's a bodily function like any other, not something scary. I'll never be great around it but I'm a lot better now than I was.

@Dita73 I'd advise you to just let it happen if that's what your body wants to do and you'll feel better afterwards, both mentally and physically.

Hopefully you will be fine

However, the last time I was unwell, I decided that next time I'm sure it's happening, imma neck some vodka to see if it helps. I could take a tranquilizer but they're so hard to get, I don't want to waste one.

Sorry Dita just saw your post

I hope you're okay. I left the radio on after for comfort as I was too tense to sleep.

Completely understand this 😭
Hope you are feeling better. I've suffered with this almost all my life- I would say two things, one is -when pregnant with my first child I had hypnotherapy and it worked like MAGIC for years!! I feel like I might need a top up now actually but still WAY better than I used to be. Can't recommend that enough.

Secondly, last time I was actually sick (years and years ago) I remember thinking 'oh, this really isn't as bad as I thought' and felt on top of the world after as I'd got past it. That helped to take some of the 'heat' out of my phobia for a while. Saying that I hope you're ok 💐

Thank you all so much for your advice and lovely comments. After much self reassurance I’ve calmed down a lot and have made it back downstairs! I’ve been like this since I was 7 and to this day I have no idea why. No matter how many times it happens, it always seems so much worse than the last. Of course, when things calm down, you can rationalise it a bit and you almost feel silly for getting in such a state. It’s such a pain. @AmICrazyorWhat2 you sound like the bravest person I’ve ever known! When I get nauseous I would honestly rather die than be sick. When I was in the bathroom just now I was desperately hoping a burglar might break in and shoot me so I’d be out of my misery! I realise how insane this sounds,I promise I’m quite a normal person, until I feel sick that is! Thank goodness for places like this where we can share our experiences and not feel like such nutcases! I thank you again for all your kind words and @blanketsallday I’m so glad you’re feeling better. Much love to you xx

I'm emetophobic, I can fight being sick most of the time by deep breathing & trying to switch off. I can't cope with anyone else being sick, not even on television, I'm disabled but believe me I get away as quickly as possible if there is any suggestion of anyone being sick.

@Dita73 so happy you are feeling better, I'm feeling sick again now as I'm laying in bed and I always get so anxious at nighttime :(

It's comforting to know that other people understand how truly awful this phobia is, I can't work or attend education because of it and I rarely go out and clean everything constantly.