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Do I have emetophobia (phobia of sick)

2 replies

GAJ20 · 18/04/2020 11:07

I’ve been wondering for a while now, ever since I found out it was a phobia. Obviously to get a proper diagnosis I should go to the drs but I thought it check I’m not being “dramatic” as it’s not causing me frequent panic attacks so I initially presumed it can’t be a phobia?

Anyway when I was younger I was at a sleep over and ended up getting unwell. It was my first sleepover and I was made to feel as if this was a big problem. The night it happened I had been watching a specific tv show and wearing my pyjamas. Up until about the age of 12 (I was about 6 at the time) I refused to watch that tv show, eat the same food I ate that night or wear the pyjamas because I thought I’d get sick. If I ever was unwell I wouldn’t want anyone to know that I’d been throwing up and just tell people asked it was a ahead ache. I then went through a long period where even if I thought I was going to be sick I’d physically stop myself.

My entire childhood I’d refuse to go and sleep over at friends with the worry I was going to throw up and if it came to the point I had to I’d lie awake worrying I was going to be sick to the point I would actually start to feel unwell. I’d always worry at cinemas etc that someone was going to be unwell near me.

I worry about it less now, as in I’ll happily go and stay round a friends who I know well, tho am reluctant to stay around people’s I’m not as friendly with at the worry if I do throw up then what will they think of me. I went on a stay away trip with college at the end of last yr and ended throwing up. At the time I managed to keep all under control and honestly realised it wasn’t that bad. But when ever I think back to the trip/ certain parts of it I start to shake and get all tense and have to stop thinking about it which is a shame as it was so much fun... I still refuse to wear the same clothes I wore that day! It’s also strange as if other people talk about sick sometimes I’m fine with it and other times I feel as if I’m going to cry and just shake. I feel tho it has less of an effect on my life now than when I was younger. I don’t want to tell anyone about it because a) I hate bringing up sick and b) I feel they will think I’m weird/ think I’m being dramatic.
Do you think I’m just being stupid or does this sound like a genius me fear? Sorry that’s a long one but would rlly appreciate a hand. It’s got to the point where I Constantly have it on my mind.

OP posts:
TeacupRex · 18/04/2020 22:30

Hi - I also have emetophobia, which started when I was around 9 years old, and I can really relate to your experiences - it is a genuine fear and you should not be made to feel like it's stupid! I also avoided sleepovers/school trips because I was terrified at the possibility of me or someone else being sick. I also had a panic attack in a cinema once (I think a character in the film was gagging or something and it triggered me off) and I've avoided them ever since..

Emetophobia absolutely can cause/be connected to other mental health issues. Mine is interwoven with social anxiety and agoraphobia. I have huge issues now with getting out of the house and going to crowded places, meeting up with friends (my social life is non existent due to this) or eating out in public because of this underlying fear that I might throw up. I feel comfortable around people I'm close with/family but with others, I worry what they might think of me if I was to be ill around them.. I don't want to be a burden or spoil the day by getting sick.

But just to say, I totally get it and have been through the exact same. It's not dramatic at all and don't let anyone make you feel it's invalid. It's a horrendous phobia to have, especially when most people don't seem to understand why it's such a big deal.

WickedlyPetite · 18/04/2020 22:34

I had emetoohobia from age 5 and I can still remember the incident that caused it, as if it were yesterday.

It got to the point where it was really impacting on my day to day life and I sought help. CBT was useful and I've found hypnosis to be helpful too. I still need occasional top up sessions every now and then but I've mostly got it under control.

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