Emetophobia/agoraphobia

[Bridgetx88]

I know there have been many threads on this subject including from myself but I just need to talk to people who understand. My emetophobia is so bad that my 3 year old dd lives with her Dad full time. The thing that is different for me is that I have only suffered with this for the past 2 years since dd and myself caught a nasty stomach bug. I basically see my dd and myself as ticking time bombs waiting to be sick. The emetophobia had increased my general anxiety so much that I am pretty much housebound. I do force myself to go out to see my daughter and had a friends wedding this week which was difficult but I'm afraid that I might be becoming slightly agoraphobic. I just need some advice on how to concur my fears around sick and just a hand hold really 😞

Is it OK to DM you?

@Eyesopenwideawake yes dm me of course

Hi OP. Your post resonated with me as I got really bad when DS and I caught a bug 7 years ago now and sent him to his dads, then barely left the house.

These days after a looooong period of exposure therapy, it's manageable. It will always be with me, but I mostly don't let it control my life, it's still scary inside my mind often but I know how to stand up to it now.

Don't lose hope. Things will improve.

I sympathise OP.
I have emetophobia and it’s been made so much worse by having my 2 & 3yo

I honestly don’t know how I’m still here tbh. My 3yo has severe ASD also and PICA so he’s awful at putting stuff in his mouth.
Today I almost wet myself and had to use a public bathroom (something I avoid) whilst I was urinating DS laid down and licked the floor. I’m constantly going out of my mind. Hand are raw from washing them. I’ve developed chronic IBS and my BMI is about 17.5 right now.

I've been agoraphobic for 25 years due to my emetophobia x

@filthypride sorry to hear that. Hope you don't mind me asking but have you ever had any therapy and do you take any medication?

I've had countless sessions of CBT, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy. Over the years I've tried pretty much every antidepressant. I'm currently on escitalopram, clonazepam and quetiapine.