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Does anyone here have a debilitating phobia?

279 replies

Lonelymum · 23/11/2004 13:13

I almost wanted to change my name for this, but thought hell no-one really knows me anyway and I don't like the thought of covering up more than I am doing anyway. It is very hard for me to write this though (I am shaking and my hands have gone clammy so bear with me if this doesn't seem to make much sense).
I have had a phobia pretty much all my life. I don't want to say what it is as I am not sure how accepting many of you would be of the idea. Suffice to say, it lives with me constantly, has become worse lately, and really affects the way I live my life. One of the consequences of it is that I find it very difficult being alone with the children at night which is why I freak out whenever dh goes away (a lot at the moment.)
Then last week, browsing on the internet, I discovered my phobia has a name (never knew that) and is apparently quite common though not often spoken of. Surprisingly this made me feel a bit better and has given me the strength to talk about it now here. However, it has also upset me in a way I can't describe. Also, I read that this phobia can be cured but the only people offering cures on the web have been American. I wondered if anyone had had a phobia and had had it cured by medical/psychiatric means here in the UK and feels prepared to talk about it. My phobia is apparently not curable through aversion therapy.
Shaking sooo much now. Have to stop. Can anyone offer any support?

OP posts:
Aimsmum · 25/11/2004 14:34

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Lonelymum · 25/11/2004 14:36

Are you going to get your phobia fixed too Aimsmum or are you waiting to see how I go?

OP posts:
Aimsmum · 25/11/2004 14:55

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prefernot · 25/11/2004 20:54

The GP will take you most seriously if you let them know exactly how much it affects your life and especially your ability to be a good parent. I'm sorry to say this but it's really important to lay it on thick. This is not because the phobias are not serious but because it can be hard for a non-phobic to take them seriously enough ...

Lonelymum, another mini novella emailed to you tonight!

nicmum2boys · 25/11/2004 23:05

Lonelymum, just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you. What time is your appointment? Will be sending you positive vibes, let us know how it goes, (((hugs))), nic x.

joash · 25/11/2004 23:43

Bare FEET - but only on adult males...hate men's feet. Feel quite sickly and yucky if have to view any, bluuuurgh!!

misdee · 26/11/2004 08:41

i have a fear of clowns. its slowly getting better but they give me the creeeps. shudder

Lonelymum · 26/11/2004 09:53

Good morning fellow phobics everywhere!

Well, my appt is for 10:50 this morning and I am feeling really sick at the prospect - not much fun for someone who has a phobia of vomiting!

I nearly chickened out yesterday. Dh was home and when he is there, I feel better able to cope. I felt on a bit of a high and thought, I have lived with this problem all my life, I can continue with it. But then, ds3, who has a cold right now, woke up in the night crying and coughing and I was SO FREAKED OUT by it that I lay petrified in the bed as dh went to settle him. I felt as though I was made of metal and my body felt as though it was being pressed into the bed and I couldn't move if I wanted to. Now that is NOT NORMAL, is it? I NEED help, so I am going in about an hour, but I am NOT feeling happy about it.

OP posts:
Mirage · 26/11/2004 09:57

Good luck Lonelymum-I am off to the Doc's just after you-at 11.00,because I'm pregnant & am bleeding again.So we are both feeling sick with nerves this morning!

I am sure you will come out with such a sense of relief after unburdening yourself.You are now on the road to beating your phobia

nicmum2boys · 26/11/2004 10:01

You really are doing the right thing by going. I am sure you are going to feel so much better afterwards, just by having taken that first step to get help. I may not be physically with you, but with you in spirit. nic x.

Hausfrau · 26/11/2004 10:05

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Lonelymum · 26/11/2004 10:08

Thanks all. I have a feeling I am about to become Prize Wally of 2004! I feel so stupid.....you get the idea.

OP posts:
Hausfrau · 26/11/2004 10:11

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aloha · 26/11/2004 10:17

Good luck. There is nothing remotely silly or ridiculous about having a severe phobia.

mum2jay · 26/11/2004 10:17

LonelyMum, I know exactly how you feel, I have suffered from Emetophobia all of my life - well as long as I can remember. Like you I have the rare disorder of the fear of others being sick (I'm told it is rare anyway, it is usually fear of yourself being sick). I'm constantly checking my 3 year old for a temp as I see this as the sign it is coming! I have tried to get help from my GP and feel I'm not taken seriously at all.

mum2jay · 26/11/2004 10:20

Sorry, just read your last post and realised what I said about the GP was not very helpful as you are about to go. MY GP didn't take me seriously enough but thats not to say that yours won't. Good Luck. x

Aimsmum · 26/11/2004 10:25

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mum2jay · 26/11/2004 10:32

Hi Aimsmum, just reading further down and see that you suffer too. Have you tried to get help from your GP?

Aimsmum · 26/11/2004 10:40

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mum2jay · 26/11/2004 10:43

Hi, as I read further down I realise that more and more of you share the same phobia, its unbelievable - to me - that so many of you experience the exact same things and avoid situations as I do. Unfortunately, my partner is not very sympathetic to me and when my DS is poorly it results in an argument because I can't look after him, I have tried to explain that I don't mean to run away and it happens without me even thinking about it. He gets annoyed that I moan about him going out and having a drink incase he is sick and also I can't drive along motorways because if I see a car on the hard shoulder or stopped I'm sure it is for someone being sick. I can't even talk about this usually and can't bring myself to say the 'V' word. I have panic attacks and avoid any form of transport apart from my own car - I have been known at work to drive myself behind the works minibus to a venue!! I have not been sick myself for probably over 10 years, even managing to avoid the nursery sick bugs which catch my partner! I'm also obsessed with food poisoning and I'm a real fussy eater, I must be a nightmare to live with. I'm going to print this thread and make my partner read it.x

mum2jay · 26/11/2004 10:43

Aimsmum, sorry cross thread. I have a meeting in 10 mins but will reply as soon as I get back.x

Aimsmum · 26/11/2004 10:58

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prefernot · 26/11/2004 12:31

Hello fellow phobics. I wish I had a car too, I've always dreaded being sick on public transport.

Lonelymum, HOW DID IT GO???

Hausfrau · 26/11/2004 12:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Aimsmum · 26/11/2004 12:40

Message withdrawn