- Username
- Shamrocks22
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I know of someone who had emetophobia when I was a patient at OCDi Jr. Here were some of their exposures: - eating then running around - looking at pictures of throw-up and writing stories about it - watching videos of people doing eating challenges and throwing up I know this person made so much progress doing these exposures!!! Though I know that different exposures work better for different people and that some people’s OCD responds better to treatment than others. I hope that maybe these are some ideas that might work for you!
Thank you so much! I have taken these down and may implement myself
I had it when I was younger.
How did you get over it?
@Anonymous I honestly don't know. Time and medication. Know as I'm older it is other things...but getting sick is like nothing now. I think being drunk and having to get sick one time was a way of getting over it. It just doesn't matter anymore.
@waynoworlater I've had the opposite experience. This started for me in elementary school. The older I got the worse it got. I'm 45 and its still really severe. I've also had OCD since I 8. Didnt know or realize it until last month.
@Lms526 Often times we only realize we had ocd looking back bc it’s under-diagnosed but I understand @waynoworlater with their experience being really therapeutic and if I had thrown up from drinking, maybe I would have been done with this but I had somewhat avoidant behaviors. I did throw up once last year but it didn’t seem to stop me from fearing it happening again. Hoping to get to the root of this.
Me! I have have it for many years. I am focusing on my harm suicide OCD right now. But that one is next on my hit list.
I also have that! It's those 2 are my biggest obstacles but right now emetophobia has taken over for various reasons!
To be clear, I got over the being sick obsession, but recently had a reoccurrence of OCD behavior and lead into harm ocd and suicidal ocd thoughts. I think just stress and anxiety obviously triggered it again. I almost wish I had the being sick obsession back, but the symptoms were just as similar. The avoidance, etc. I'm just an adult now and have to keep a job and that makes it way harder than just missing school like when I was a kid.
I totally understand. I also have the suicidal ocd and for whatever reason, that one is not bothering me right now but when it is, I of course wish it was the sick obsession instead and vice versa. I also have had to take some time off work to maintain my health and I was nervous about it but glad that I did it. Being that I work from home has helped some with the anxiety and not being in public but I also think part of not having to be in public is why I’m getting anxious more bc it’s less exposure.
Yes. Being isolated definitely doesn't help me. I just have to find a balance.
Yeah I don’t love it either, I’m a social person which is why when I fear getting sick it really turns things around bc I get scared of it happening in a social setting and will want to avoid or leave the situation. I just have a bit of safety being at home that I likely won’t get sick in public at work. I hope you can feel better soon. Suicidal OCD is rough and I’m here to talk about it if you want!
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?
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.
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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