40th birthday - sense of doom

[GnocchiGnocchi]

Nothing to do with turning 40, far from it, happy to embrace it.

It's my birthday at the weekend and a friend of mine mentioned that she'd had the norovirus a few days ago (she was walking outside in the street and not close to me, she was telling me so I wouldn't go near).

I'm a massive sick phobe and though I know it's 99.99999% unlikely that I will catch it from HER, my brain is on overdrive about the fact it's obviously rife, people have it on our area.

I don't have massive plans for my 40th as my husband is quite poorly, but I had horrible 21st and 30th birthdays too for various reasons (mostly health related) and I'm now convinced I'm going to catch it for my 40th.

And that it's bound to happen as things like that always happen to me.

Please can someone knock some sense in to me? I've had such a good handle on my anxiety for so long but this has got the better of me, I think because of my husband's illness.

Hi Gnocchignocchi,

I can completely relate- I have severe Emetophobia (and OCD) and have been panicking about Norovirus a lot recently. It's my birthday (not a special one but still...) on Monday and I'm particularly fearful of getting it on the day.

It is very unlikely that you will catch the virus from your friend and as I imagine that your hygiene is probably very good, it's also quite unlikely you will catch it just because it is 'going around' at the moment.

I'm sorry that your husband is very unwell; it's no wonder your anxiety is worse at the moment.

I don't know if this will help you or not but I've decided to just view my birthday as another day- nothing special and nothing to worry about- that way although I'll still be scared of contracting Noro, I won't need to worry about it ruining the day. If the worst happens and you do fall ill on your birthday then you can just celebrate it a week later!

Have you had any treatment for your Emetophobia?

Thank you so much Lilabet for taking the time to reply. You are so right, and reading your response affirmed what I am trying to think about it all.

I have had treatment for my emetophobia in the past - the annoying thing is it has been under control for a good couple of years, but I think the anxiety of my husband has given me a flare up.

Happy birthday for next week