emetophobia and parenting

[humanmagicmarker]

I have emetophobia and live in fear of stomach bugs and having to deal with my 2 year old when he has them.

Does anyone else live with this and have any help and advice? The "mother instinct" does not kick in when it happens, I just want to run out of the house and I have a whole anxiety/depression cycle going on...

I totally understand how you feel. I feel like the worst parent ever and have come downstairs to get my husband when I have heard one of the children being sick, rather than go to them. (I feel ashamed for even writing that) However, I am now at a stage where, if he takes the vomiting child, I can just about clean it up - it is the actual vomiting that I can't deal with. Luckly my children are rarely sick but I live in dread of them being ill on a night when he is working away. Sorry, not really great in terms of help or advice but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this and will be watching with interest to see if anyone can be more helpful.

This is my one and only phobia, I haven't been sick in 10yrs and hopefully will get another 10, when my hubby gets ill I have complete panic attacks, hyperventilation..tears streaming down my face while I sit and rock with my fingers in the ears and try and use what breath I have to hum really loudly....
(He went to hopsital once and I actually DID leave the house while paramedics were sorting him... they looked at me in disgust. so ashamed

When it comes to my children the thought of them getting ill even now makes me anxious. :(

But I find that when they do get ill, I smile really widely (this supposedly stops your gag reflex- just in case) look away while making sure there head is in the bowl and soothe them as loudly as I can.

I care for hubby so it is me that HAS to deal... if the girls were old enough to tell me "I feel sick" then I think I would lose it with the build up.. but other than that don't feel bad about no motherly instinct, go to gp..they only gave me paperwork to read and "coping techniques" but they said I could go for counselling or cognitive therapy.. Maybe try this route?

Good luck

been in cognitive therapy since August, but doesn't seem to be helping. I feel like I can cope when all is well, but as soon as he's ill I go to pieces and I'm counting hours until the virus hits me and having panic attacks. Doc has put me on Valium for the 'bad moments'.

Good to know I'm not alone xx

I have this problem too. I have 4 ds's and dread stomach bugs. I too run away and just panic.

The more stressed I get in every day life the worse the phobia gets too

Cognitive therapy not working.. sheesh, I don't know what else to suggest.

:(