Advice please. Panic attack due to phobia

[JKDcot]

Hello
Sorry to ask for a hand hold. Sounds pathetic but I have severe emetophobia and my 18 month old son is showing signs of a gastro bug and I am sure he is going to throw up. I now have also started to feel really sick and my stomach doesn’t feel right at all.

I know it’s so pathetic to panic but I just can’t cope if I feel like I am going to vomit. Luckily my husband is home and is caring for my son. But now I feel awful I am not helping him and pathetic I am lying in bed crying about myself.

Please don’t judge me I am not selfish. I just have really really bad vomit phobia. Any advice is really appreciated
Thanks

Any advice?

What have you tried so far? I found CBT helpful for a phobia. Not a miracle cure, but exposure therapy helped.

I tried CBT and EMDR but neither seemed to help

Distraction if you can? Pulling yourself away from your thoughts in whatever way you can. This will pass, you're going to be ok, honestly

Thank you. I think my husband has got my son to sleep finally so I am just hoping he sleeps through the night and feels better tomorrow.
I just feel so embarrassed and frustrated that I have panic attacks about something I know is so silly.
I am listening to some music for distraction and will try and sleep also

I have exactly the same phobia, and when my stomach genuinely feels dodgy (I can usually tell the difference now between dodgy tummy and anxiety tummy) I take an antiemetic which allows me to actually function without being sick everywhere or withering around feel nauseous x

I think one of the things is not to beat yourself up. You didn't choose this phobia, you're doing the absolute best you can and that's enough.

Thank you. It’s so annoying and frustrating and I wish wish wish I could control it. I just can’t find a way not to panic

Hi OP,

I'm so sorry you're having such a horrible night. I have Emetophobia too (and like you have tried CBT and EMDR) and know how much you must be feeling the need to escape from the situation at the moment but remember that you will get through this.

You could try some mindfulness or relaxing breathing techniques (maybe search on youtube) and it sounds like a good idea to listen to music too. If you have any diet coke/pepsi in the house then the phosphoric acid in those acts as a mild anti-emetic. If you do happen to be sick tonight you can ask your DH can get some buccastem (an anti-emetic, mainly used for migraines) from a pharmacy in the morning.

You don't need to feel embarrassed about not being able to help your son this time- if his Dad is providing all of the care that he needs then it's okay to be away from the situation this time.

Thank you so much @Flowersandhearts for your kind words and advice.

I can hear my son waking up every half hour or so and whining but my husband is sleeping with him so I know he would come and get me if I am needed.

I knew having a child this would happen at some point and I’ve tried to prepare myself and hoped I would stay calm. I have not done myself proud at all I’m sorry to say.

I have a stash of cyclizine tablets from when I was pregnant that I find are a great anti emetic tablet so I have taken one. I feel a bit less sick myself at the moment so going to try and sleep it off and hope my son is better too. Thank you for the advice

@JKDcot

Thank you so much *@Flowersandhearts* for your kind words and advice.

I can hear my son waking up every half hour or so and whining but my husband is sleeping with him so I know he would come and get me if I am needed.

I knew having a child this would happen at some point and I’ve tried to prepare myself and hoped I would stay calm. I have not done myself proud at all I’m sorry to say.

I have a stash of cyclizine tablets from when I was pregnant that I find are a great anti emetic tablet so I have taken one. I feel a bit less sick myself at the moment so going to try and sleep it off and hope my son is better too. Thank you for the advice

Well you didn't run away from the house or react in an extreme way so I think you did well JKDcot! How are things going this morning? It's great that you have some cyclizine to use if you need it too.

Thank you, my son is much better today. I think our dinner just didn’t sit well with him and it’s not a bug.
I am grateful that I do have medication to take if I feel sick and it does help. Just hope long term I can learn to cope better.

Thank you for all the kindness and advice