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Emetophobia
independent_
Community Champion Posts: 9,047 Supreme Poster
I know this might be a strange question to ask but does anyone else struggle a lot with emetophobia (i.e. the fear of vomiting and other people vomiting). If you do how do you cope with it? I guess even if you don’t how do you cope when you feel really anxious?
This is something I’ve struggled with since I was about 11 and people being sick near me makes me really really anxious. So for example like tonight if someone in my house isn’t well I’m useless because all I’m doing is panicking
This is something I’ve struggled with since I was about 11 and people being sick near me makes me really really anxious. So for example like tonight if someone in my house isn’t well I’m useless because all I’m doing is panicking
“Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
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I don't struggle that much however I do get the intense wave of fear before throwing up and I do my best not to.
My brother has it big time.
He will not eat food if he's unsure how many days it's been open.
Stays away from fish. Cooks his food for longer to make sure it's done.
Everything he can to avoid getting ill he will do but he is happy with that.
If someone else is sick he normally puts his headphones in and drowns it out. Sometimes he can breathe deep, stay calm and be there for someone.
When actually sick, things to settle your starch is good you know ginger or peppermint.
And just deep breaths. But don't beat yourself up it's really hard and I'm sure those around you will understand x
I don’t struggle with emetophobia but I do know a few people who do. An estimated 6-7% of females struggle with emetaphobia and 1-3% of males. I know that doesn’t make it any easier I just wanted to say you’re certainly not alone.
Sorry this wasn’t much help, hope you have a wonderful day
that does sound awful
when I was younger I had a massive fear of sick. If someone was sick in the house I would be sick. Even if it was because they had a hang over which I obviously didn’t catch. And when someone was ill from a bug or something I would be really scared about bacteria and didn’t want to catch anything and I would not go anywhere near the toilet until I really had to because of someone was sick in there. And when I did go in I would cover my mouth & nose and just feel really sick. I didn’t really cope with it. It was just what it was really cause was young
. Didn’t really know what to do. But I guess there are way around it. Ways to reduce your anxiety. Like think about why does it make you anxious? Are you scared it’s a bug and you don’t want to catch it? Or is it jusy because it’s a bit gross and horrible ? Do you have ways in which you reduce your anxiety in general that you can use for this? Or can think of any ways ? Maybe Like mindfulness. ?
I think for me it centres around the fact that if someone's being sick they're ill and I worry what could be wrong with them, maybe that I could catch whatever it is or that there's something really serious wrong with them (irrational I know). Then I feel bad because I panic so much that I struggle to be there for the person and I hate not being there for someone when they're struggling.
I don’t think it’s necessarily irrational, it’s understandable to be worried about the people we care about.
I’m sorry if any of this came across patronising or rude. I’m always here to listen if you ever need someone to talk to. Have a very happy day
for getting sick yourself if your aware of the feeling before throwing up try some mints or just try breathe if in a car try opening the window or have mints again
hope this helps
ive struggles for years since every year my family does long car journeys to Wales. i dont get carsick so i dont have a problem, but it makes me so anxious as i cant tell how anyone else is feeling. its got to a point now where its affecting my diet, which is not so good but i cant help it if i dont know how long a piece of food has been open for, i will refuse to have it. it hurts me to do that since its such a waste of food and money but i truly cant help it.
we're all in this together:)