Emetophobia and child been sick since yesterday afternoon

[Foxy567]

I have extreme emetophobia and have done for as long as I can remember. I’ve looked into CBT but never done it.

My child has been sick constantly since yesterday afternoon and I’m really struggling. I’m struggling to clean her up, I’m struggling to go near her and comfort her (which I know makes me sound like a horrible mother) but most of all I’m scared I’m going to catch it.

Due to the amount of times she has been sick I don’t think it’s a typical stomach bug and I’ve got it into my head that she has norovirus which is highly contagious. I’m cleaning everything I can and being extra cautious.

I would be grateful for any tips on how to handle things abit better, I’m so embarrassed I’ve even had to come on here, this phobia is so crippling.

This must be really difficult for you to deal with. Phobias aren't rational - you can't just ignore them, if only you could.

I hope it's just a 24 hour thing so it's over quickly.

It is important that you can take care of your daughter - can you try to contain things so they're not so overwhelming?

Like getting some plastic/cardboard tubs you can just cover and throw out without having to physically wipe anything up?

Wear earplugs to dampen the noise? Open windows to clear the smell.

I hope you remain well. x

I hear you op. I'm EXACTLY the same. Our last bug involved both twins being sick every half hour for around 7 hours. I wore a mask and gloves and somehow managed to not catch it, my husband did. I bleached the crap out of everything. It's awful, when what you really want to do is RUN FOR THE HILLS. I think I have slightly desensitised since having children as if I am alone with them you have no choice other than to get on with it but it causes me to have massive panic attacks and it's just a horrid terrifying time.

@BlackSwan thank you for understanding! The sickness has stopped and it’s now diarrhoea but not too much. Whenever she was sick I made her do it on a towel and I’m throwing the towels out, I’m not even contemplating washing it. All the windows are open too, thank you for message.

@sparklecrazy it’s absolutely awful isn’t it. Must have been horrible with both twins having it! How long did it take for your husband to catch it? My husband slept with my poorly little one last night but he’s not as fussed with antibac etc as I am so I’m worried he’s next. If I could book into a hotel and come home in 2/3 days I would! Glad I’m not the only one feeling this way

You just need to grit your teeth and put your daughter before your feelings. You've done this so many times before I'm sure. You can do this...you have no choice.

I know this is an old post, but did you catch it OP? I am also a mega emetophobe. My son had 2 sickness bugs this year and is now off with bad diarreah after only 3 days back at school. It's an awful phobia. I am currently getting CBT for mine. Hope you're okay and the back to school has gone smoothly for you.

I have the same phobia and my son is at nursery, it genuinely crosses my mind every single day. It’s absolutely debilitating, no one understands unless they experience it. Sorry you’re going through it and I’m crossing everything for you that you don’t catch it.

I do recommend CBT - I've had it for emetophobia and it helped me manage it for years. It's recently flared up again to the extent I've had to self refer for some sort of support again. Bjt the CBT made a world of difference.

Currently at home with a baby who's puking every 1-2 hours and an older child I'm sure will now catch up. It's an awful phobia