Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Parent with severe emetophobia

26 replies

TetleyTeabag35 · 02/09/2023 22:50

Hi, I am totally new to this but my 4 yr old came down with a form of sickness bug early hours Monday, again Tuesday night, again wednesday night and again on Thursday but nothing now for just over 48 hours, however, I have been an absolute mess all week and finally broke down crying today because my brain and body will not settle waiting for her to be sick again. I can clear any sick of any kind of any amount but actually being sick or being near someone who vomits kills me. Its making me feel super ill, I havent eaten all week as my anxiety is that bad. I have no one I can talk to about this as no one really understands.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
coloursquare · 02/09/2023 23:05

Ah OP, sympathy. You'll probably be very tired as well - dealing with sick kids is exhausting. Sounds like she's better - try and get a decent night's sleep.

Original poster
TetleyTeabag35 · 02/09/2023 23:13

Thankyou, I am going to try, she is back in her own bed tonight but the nights are by far the worst, I feel like my heart is going to come out of my chest and I cant stop trembling. I know I am not the only one out but it makes you feel so lonely

OP posts:
whoactuallyreallycares · 02/09/2023 23:18

I totally understand, emetephobia with a nearly 3 year old in full time nursery - I spend most week nights in complete fear :(

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

4 year olds Families General parenting
BoogLoaf · 02/09/2023 23:24

After 48 hours without any sickness she should be over it, try to get some rest tonight.
It's definitely one of the worse things about having young children!

coloursquare · 02/09/2023 23:36

I had emetoohobia as a child and remember that terrified feeling. I actually think exposure to sickness via too much alcohol at uni cured me Blush. You may well find that the more often you deal with it, the easier it gets.

Tailfeather · 02/09/2023 23:39

Do you have a partner to help? I make DH deal with all of the vomit and have really panicked the few times it has happened when he was away. It also wont be long until she will be able to run to the loo.

HamBone · 02/09/2023 23:46

My emetophobia is similar to yours- I can clear up the grim aftermath, but I can’t be near someone actually vomiting.

Once my children were about 5, I explained to them that I couldn’t stay in the room when they were being sick so I would either get them into the bathroom or give them a bowl- and leave the room until it was over. I’d then tidy everything up and settle them. I also found that wearing rubber gloves helped me cope with the situation, like a form of armour, I suppose!

It’s not ideal, but it didn’t seem to hurt their feelings, because they knew that I was looking after them, just not in the room for those couple of minutes! Now they’re teenagers and understand that it’s a phobia, and they occasionally pretend to retch to get Mum worked up!

Don't worry about it, OP, you’re looking after your DD and she’s recovering. 💐

Stressedafff · 02/09/2023 23:47

Ah OP I’m emetophobic too. And also will not eat when exposed to anything. Are you on Facebook? There’s an amazing group called emetophobia and being a mum. I’m on there too and it’s so helpful especially in the night times, everything seems so much worse at night. ❤️ I have no advice, but you’re not alone xxx

HamBone · 02/09/2023 23:50

coloursquare · 02/09/2023 23:36

I had emetoohobia as a child and remember that terrified feeling. I actually think exposure to sickness via too much alcohol at uni cured me Blush. You may well find that the more often you deal with it, the easier it gets.

@coloursquare Glad you managed conquer the fear- even in uni, I used to leg it if anyone looked slightly queasy. 🤣

iminvestednow · 02/09/2023 23:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

iminvestednow · 02/09/2023 23:56

what is the difference between someone who doesn’t like vomit (literally everyone) and sibeobw who is phobic?

HamBone · 03/09/2023 00:03

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

@iminvestednow Don’t be daft, it’s a phobia that affects a tiny, tiny part of parenting. Plus, if you have a partner, they can stay with the child when they’re vomiting - that’s what DH and I did, he stayed, then moved them elsewhere (who wants to stay around sick) and I did the cleanup.

How often are children sick-perhaps twice a year through primary school? Then it decreases/they can get themselves to the toilet. My teenagers haven’t been sick for ages.

Have some understanding and don’t be so judgmental. You’re bound to have some parenting weakness as well. Emetophobia is a minor parenting weakness in the grand scheme of things.

Original poster
TetleyTeabag35 · 03/09/2023 00:19

Its so nice to hear other people understand. I would love to be normal and just act as though its one of those normal things but I dont think it will ever happen for me. I am dreading the start of a new school next week and how often this is gonna happen. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Codependantnomore · 03/09/2023 00:21

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Ohhh cop on!

Original poster
TetleyTeabag35 · 03/09/2023 00:23

And I havent walked away when my child is sick, I am straight there, but telling someone to just deal with it is like telling someone with depression to cheer up. I dont want to be like this obviously. So because I have a mental health issue alongside several others it makes me a bad parent and shouldnt have kids?

OP posts:
Original poster
TetleyTeabag35 · 03/09/2023 00:24

Sorry if I sounded like a bad parent, I just wanted someone to talk to.

OP posts:
HamBone · 03/09/2023 00:27

Try not to worry about it, OP, you’ll manage when it happens.

And don’t worry that you’ll “pass on” this phobia to your DD. I’m pretty sure that my phobia was caused by something that happened years ago and neither of my children (18 and nearly 15) have it.

BitOutOfPractice · 03/09/2023 00:31

Hey @TetleyTeabag35 you’re not a bad parent. @iminvestednow is, however, a sub standard human.

hope you have a really peaceful and restful night tonight op. You are so right. Everything is much much worse in the night.

Original poster
TetleyTeabag35 · 03/09/2023 00:33

BitOutOfPractice · 03/09/2023 00:31

Hey @TetleyTeabag35 you’re not a bad parent. @iminvestednow is, however, a sub standard human.

hope you have a really peaceful and restful night tonight op. You are so right. Everything is much much worse in the night.

Thankyou, I will certainly try my best.

OP posts:
Original poster
TetleyTeabag35 · 03/09/2023 00:36

HamBone · 03/09/2023 00:27

Try not to worry about it, OP, you’ll manage when it happens.

And don’t worry that you’ll “pass on” this phobia to your DD. I’m pretty sure that my phobia was caused by something that happened years ago and neither of my children (18 and nearly 15) have it.

You are totally right and I have dealt with it, however its that feeling inside and all over that just consumes you into a co.plete wreck. People who genuinly arent bothered by vomit in any way simply cannot understand how this can affect a person. I am also sure mine stems from childhood but not anybodys fault.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 03/09/2023 00:36

So I’ll sternly tell you to get off your phone, get a milky drink, get your favourite nightwear on, put a soothing podcast on and try And drift Off! (Yes I am your mom!)

SM4713 · 03/09/2023 00:38

What type of support, therapy, CBT, hypno have you had so far OP? I assume you would have got support prior to TTC? Consider re-engaging with mental health support if its been sometime. No one likes someone elses vomit, but it does sound like you are struggling and need extra help.

Original poster
TetleyTeabag35 · 03/09/2023 00:39

BitOutOfPractice · 03/09/2023 00:36

So I’ll sternly tell you to get off your phone, get a milky drink, get your favourite nightwear on, put a soothing podcast on and try And drift Off! (Yes I am your mom!)

🤣🤣 Okay I will do my best (mom) 🤣🤣 that actually made me smile which I actually havent done all week so thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
TetleyTeabag35 · 03/09/2023 00:43

SM4713 · 03/09/2023 00:38

What type of support, therapy, CBT, hypno have you had so far OP? I assume you would have got support prior to TTC? Consider re-engaging with mental health support if its been sometime. No one likes someone elses vomit, but it does sound like you are struggling and need extra help.

I had CBT back in 2021 but that just didnt help at all, I already take medication for my anxiety and depression and after my first was born (4 yr old) I got diagnosed about a year after with severe anxiety related weight loss. I can feel its haopening again as I am losing weight and my anxiety is through the roof and this is all steming from my phobia which is just stupid

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 03/09/2023 00:43

Don’t make me come and tuck you in op! 😁

seriously I sincerely wish you a restful night and that Tomorrow everything feels brighter

Swipe left for the next trending thread