Any other emets out there?

[squishymamma]

Hi,

I’ve posted before about my emetophobia (fear of throwing up)…now we’ve had a message from nursery saying norovirus is making the rounds and I’m terrified. Have 2 DC aged 2.5 and almost 1 and a DH that picks up everything they have. How am I going to get through the next few weeks??

Any other emetophobes out there to empathise? My family try to be understanding but they can’t really grasp it…

Just needing a handhold really.

Me, I have survived raising 2 dc (now 18 and 16), I remember the dread of bugs doing the rounds. Realistically my dc rarely caught it and I only caught it from them once. I remember the fear, I even kept my dc home a few times to avoid it 😬, that sounds really silly now admitting to that.

I have several strategies for coping but they are not really rational. All you can do is be prepared so you can clean up quickly making it less likely to spread. Have buckets and cleaning items where you can grab them. My dd was sick a couple months ago for the first time in years and I freaked out a little but I coped (luckily it wasn’t a bug), even when I have caught bugs from the kids I rarely get sick, usually just the other end 😬, it takes a lot to make a emetophobe sick. I even caught salmonella last year and wasn’t sick.

I know I can’t really offer any useful advice other than stay busy, try not to overthink but be prepared. My phobia is a lot less extreme now my dc are older.

Yes, me. I'm really struggling this autumn. Just keep seeing my kids as ticking time bombs.

Thanks so much for your post @Lovemusic33 very glad to hear it got easier for you, hoping for the same! I also don’t remember the last time I was sick, I usually get the other end too…! But just the possibility is terrifying. So irrational but hey ho!

@nononononovom this is a good way of describing it. My DM said “well nobody likes their kids all the time” and I was like “there’s a difference between dislike and fear, I don’t think most people fear their kids…”

Have a look at hypnosis/hypnotherapy - emetophobia responds very well in 2/3 sessions.

I've been looking at this but too anxious to book - ironically

Why? (If you don't mind me asking).

I have had hypnosis and for me it didn’t work, have tried CBD too and exposure therapy (I wouldn’t recommend this at all 😬).

CBT not CBD (though I have tried that too)

@Eyesopenwideawake plan is to investigate options in the new year - atm we’re just trying to survive to then money wise but hopefully will have a tad more to use on such things. But that doesn’t help my current predicament 😅

Happy to have a chat - no cost, no commitment - to see if it's appropriate for you.

ThrivewithJenny have you tried this or do you know anyone who has?