Anxiety, emetophobia, physical symptoms

[warried76]

I've namechanged for this. I've been emetophobic forever: when I was at school, I went through a phase of often feeling sick when I wasn't ill, and sitting up at night reading magazines with the light on because I was scared to go to sleep in case I woke up to be sick. I went through a phase of having to take a little bowl with me to bed just in case.

That passed and then in my 20s I almost forgot about the phobia altogether. But since having children it has come back with a vengeance, as has general anxiety. I worry a lot. I always have done but it has got worse. I have been terrified of having cancer for quite a while, for example. I've had swollen lymph nodes in my neck and groin for years (two decades) and secretly worried it was cancer. Various GPs have checked them out over the years but recently one checked them and referred me for an ultrasound "just to be sure", although she suspected they were just glands. The ultrasound was clear and I thought that would be the end of the worrying but it has resurfaced.

Last weekend DD was sick, a tummy bug she got over in a couple of days. I was frantic cleaning but did manage to spent the night in her room (v.hard for me). I found it a stressful week and then last night suddenly felt dizzy, sick and was shivering every now and then for a few hours. I wasn't actually sick (stayed up half the night waiting, like when I was a kid). It was a whole week after DD was sick and I am wondering if it was perhaps some sort of stress or panic moment rather than a mild version of a big that lasted just a few hours? I know you're not doctors but I wondered if anyone had experienced similar. I feel fine now but spent the morning feeling really down and a bit detached from my family because of what had happened the night before, and I worried if there was something seriously wrong with me.

A few months back I had a stressful week at work and then one evening suddenly felt hot and sick for a few hours. What happened last night was similar. Sometimes when I get stressed I get a 'knotty' feeling in my stomach as well.

I am doing CBT for the emetophobia but I'd really like to get the anxiety under control. So I wondered if anyone else had experienced such physical manifestations of stress/anxiety (if indeed that's what it was). Are there any good books to read, websites to look at?

Thank you x

If it's any help, I'm reading this excellent book on hypnosis and they discuss curing problems like this:

"Hypnotherapeutic Techniques: Second Edition" by Arreed Barabasz, John G. Watkins.

amzn.eu/8hg6Ink

I have the same problem. Stress and anxiety triggers my nausea. Last it was so bad I had to see a cousellor and saw a therapist with whom I did I course of CBT. It's awful. I have my ups and downs . My problem is that my job is so stressful and I have no support at all with the kids. I suffer from health anxiety. It is gets really vas when I am stressed. Hope you feel better soon x

It's become habit for you to tune into physical sensations, I guess. When you start feeling unwell, instead of turning your attention inwards, practice attention training by deliberately shifting your attention elsewhere (for example find 3 things you can see, 3 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 3 things you can smell or taste...or count backwards from 1000 in 3s, or 7s). However, you might have had a touch of illness last week, and it passed.

I agree with safetocross. I do introspection to the max when anxious waiting for the panic sensations. If I do something else - get up and walk, play a game on the phone - it passes. Need to break the cycle.

warried76 i had to answer your post as I did exactly the same thing as a child, from about the age of 8! I used to read about 10 novels a week in bed, and went through frequent episodes of intense nausea at night even though I wasn't ill - up until the age of 29. What changed then?.... I went on antidepressants! No more nausea unless I really have a bug.

I had CBT many years ago for emetophobia. It was marginally effective in that it cured my germ phobia and I was no longer afraid of seeing others be sick. But I still have the phobia, although it's now not such a problem as my kids are at an age where they can sort themselves out if they get sick.
Believe it or not, I haven't thrown up since 1999! Through 2 pregnancies and many childhood illnesses - I think I picked up bugs a couple of times, but avoided vomiting.

So keep the CBT up, and just keep in mind that antidepressants may help x

Thank you very much for all the helpful replies. It is really good to know that others have been in the same situation. The mind is so powerful and also so scary in many ways! x

I have severe emetophobia and have had since I was about 9 (I'm 28 now!) and what you just said sounds exactly like me talking, I would have thought I wrote it if I didn't know better. In fact if I feel at all sick I leave a lamp on and will read all night it annoys the hell out of DH.. I thought it was just me! I had a baby 10 weeks ago and I'm already terrified at the thought of him having his first sickness bug. The GP said to be careful with his nappies after having the rotavirus syringe thing and I was terrified about that I wouldn't do his nappies for days DH had to do them!
I found I was weirdly fine anxiety wise in pregnancy but since having my boy it's come back so badly, especially cos I feel sick ALL the time I'm guessing with lack of sleep and hormones.
I too worry that I have cancer al the time. In fact I was only at the breast clinic yesterday for a scan as I convinced myself I have breast cancer. Do you think we worry so much about it cos chemo commonly makes you vomit?
I am part of a group on Facebook called emetophobia help and support, its full of people with the same phobia and has been a massive support for me in times of panic, through my pregnancy and I have made some amazing friends on there some of who have rang me and talked me down from a panic attack when I've felt sick.
Feel free to private message me also! xx

kayleighb21 thanks for your reply. I can't tell you how reassuring it is to hear that I am not the only one...the number of times I sat in bed with the light on, especially when younger, only for nothing to happen...I wish I had had morning sickness during pregnancy because it might have cured me but apart from the great big belly I wouldn't have even known I was pregnant; I didn't feel any different at all.

You could be me talking as I had a scan on a breast lump (and a biopsy) when DD was about 8 or 10 weeks old. It was to do with breastfeeding and went away but I was terrified.

Chemo and vomiting would scare me but the main reason for being so scared of cancer is probably fear of dying and leaving my family. For me anyway. I don't know if I would be one of those strong people you read about.

Congratulations on your baby. Enjoy the newborn phase because it passes so quickly. If it's any consolation it was quite a while before my DD had her first sickness bug and her next one came two years after that first one so they are not exactly every other week.

I will drop you a pm x

I am finally totally free 2 1/2 years now after having emet for over 23 years. Its in the skill set of the therapist and one may well have to find and try a few and right fit....(I tried numerous therapists and approaches - then found someone who specilaizes in this and OCD etc)
People out there can seriously help you Try your local areas find a therapist, insist ask your doctor or likely you may well have to go private therapist and so people reading this,
**use google such as type;
Emetophobia expert (or specialist) help UK, London etc
Or even emetophobia skype specialist, UK, and so forth.

** Sure these type of super therapist and their skill set are not cheap BUT nor is having emetophobia! The best therapist can be hard to find and one has to invest and pay. . They are not cheap but compared to what… it is all relative and subjective.
There are as I learned and we all know great bricklayers, teachers, builders, and therapists and not so good. It is the skillset of that person.
That said for others have been lucky found great help via their GP therapist referral and what was offered. In the UK that is hard with cut backs waiting lists and often cbt only and can take a long time this approach.

Do not give up hope, people can make good, and incredible changes, & other have overcome their emet I am not saying is not an easy ride – and you still have to take responsibility and play your part.Feel free to PM me for any pointers or advice anyone be happy to help.