emetophobia

hi everyone, im new to this therapy & it has been really daunting leading up to getting help. I’ve been struggling immensely with emetophobia for my whole life, but it has taken a huge toll on my life within the last year and a half. my emetophobia has progressively transitioned into agoraphobia and I can’t ever leave my room. just this last day was my last straw, when my roommate came home with the norovirus. he’s not very considerate when it comes to staying clean and quarantining so my head has been spiraling wondering when or if I’ll get it too. i haven’t slept in 3 days & haven’t eaten & I feel that im inducing more harm to myself. I just want to feel better, not worry so intensely. I want to live a normal life without restricting my meals or restricting public places & constantly asking my boyfriend for unfortunate reassurance that I’ll be okay. I really hate to be that girlfriend. if anyone sees this, I really hope that I do get better & that if anyone struggling with the same obstacle as me can get through it. it’s draining, it’s daunting, & so much for one to handle.

Username: samb1018samb1018

Date posted: 47w ago

ugh thank u so much. and same goes for u. i’m praying that we both stay healthy 🤞🏼🤞🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

Username: samanthanlosamanthanlo

Date posted: 47w ago

my last therapist had told me that this was all apart of my OCD but it’s been hard to just accept the fact that this my life. I’m just so tired. I’ve tainted my friendships with family and friends as well as my own relationship with my boyfriend because of this. everyone says it’s all in my head and to get over it but I can’t. it’s uncontrollable for me no matter how many times I tell myself a “normal” human being can live peacefully without obsessing over germ particles touching the counter or doorknob or even the couch. it’s just sickening to me.

Username: samb1018samb1018

Date posted: 47w ago

i couldn’t relate more i just saw my friend yesterday and then that same night she threw up and she is sick. i’ve been freaking out and in a state of panick just waiting until it hits me

Username: samb1018samb1018

Date posted: 47w ago

i have been doing erp for my ocd and emetaphobia

Username: samb1018samb1018

Date posted: 47w ago

this is setting me back so much

Username: samanthanlosamanthanlo

Date posted: 47w ago

@samb1018 I’m so sorry friend. I know how you feel. I hope the erp is helping you in some form of way. I’ve never done it but it’s worth a try and such an effective way to conquer. Just know that, things will be okay. Although our fears may seem strong, we have the power to overpower them. Our minds and bodies are so resilient we can overcome. You’ll be okay as so will i!!!

Username: FJustRightOCDFJustRightOCD

Date posted: 47w ago

I relate to your comment in more ways that I can write, I just want to say I FEEL this pain so much, and your roomate coming home with norovirus is basically my nightmare scenario (Im so sorry you're going through this!!!) and while I think this situation would bother a lot of folks even without OCD & emetaphobia I think for us it magnifies our contamination fears that much more. It's so hard, and I'm still trying to find a solution. I've started ERP for this with scripts and using "non-engagement responses" (look them up if you don't know bout them yet) for ERP nd trying to watch youtube videos about it. Im still so afraid but I still do have a little bit of hope I might recover at least bit. I'm just hoping the edge of fear I feel can soften at least alittle bit.

Username: samanthanlosamanthanlo

Date posted: 47w ago

@FJustRightOCD It pains me knowing that there are other people in this world who have to go through what i feel and experience this on a daily basis, but it also brings me to an ease knowing that if others can live a fulfilled life, fear or not, then i can too. It really does magnify it for us. suffering from this debilitating fear, but knowing there are things to help us conquer it really helps. I’m wishing you a successful recovery during this time. It’s so so hard, but we are not alone & we can do it! talking on this platform has already helped ease some of the anxiety in currently feeling so thank you!’

Username: Anonymouss

Date posted: 1y ago

Emetophobia

I get anxiety every single time I have a stomach ache and you know how often I have a stomach ache every single day I get anxiety every single day about the same things and even more things but it’s not just that so much things trigger it and I feel so misunderstood like people think oh you have a fear of throwing up well no one like throwing up or get over it but it’s not that simple I’m traumatized like I’d rather do something I absolutely hate than throw up. I literally avoid everything I can’t eat this can do that can’t share. i have to take vitamin c everyday to improve my immune system I don’t like travel because I’m scared of motion sickness I get scared on rides thinking someone will Throw up on me I cant drink even though I’m underage and alcohol is disgusting but still I can’t be around little kids because they have too many germs. I always think I have a fever and I’m constantly checking my temp. I’m constantly feeling my head and my cheeks to make sure they’re not hot. I get scared to go to my cousins house because they are always sick I can’t eat at certain restaurant i have to check dates on food. I can’t wear certain clothes. i have dreams of myself throwing up. When I get intrusive thoughts/ images about me getting sick or someone else. I Literally can not function on certain days from the past I got sick there is so much more how will this ever stop how will I ever be able to function I avoid so much and I literally miss out on so much things because of this like I literally want to shut down in my room and never come out that’s how bad it is. I have this extreme fear of getting sick/ vomiting and OCD has latched onto that fear ever since I was little and I have to do all these compulsions and this is just a list of some of the things I have to do. Anyone else relate?

Username: ocdhelpme123A

Date posted: 1y ago

Emetophobia is ruining my life

All day every day I worry about throwing up and make sure everything I eat is “ok” or making sure I don’t get to close to people in case someone is sick. Anyone else struggle with this intrusive fear? I feel nauseous almost every day and I’m exhausted.

Username: Elibee

Date posted: 36w ago

Emetophobia

I've struggled with emetophobia my entire life, and when I was in 4th grade I got the stomach flu and was sick one night. It caused me to have severe intrusive thoughts around eating, being around other people, traveling, not being clean enough, and more. Over 16 years I got so much better, and thought I was basically "recovered". I was wrong 🙃 about 2 weeks ago, I got another stomach bug and was sick (threw up) for the first time since 4th grade and I relapsed back to that point. I've lost more than 10 pounds in less than 2 weeks because I have barely been eating, I've been struggling to go back to work, and I can't go 12 hours without having an anxiety attack.

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