Emetophobia

[homelandia17]

I’m 49 years old, and have been suffering from this since I was 13. Does anyone have remedies that help? I’m currently on meds for MDD and Panic Disorder.

[2stroke]

Sometimes you can learn perhaps from the internet,GOOGLE.??

[Sushi33]

I've been on meds for years and the thing that helped me most with the anxiety part was cognitive behavioral therapy. I did it on my own, not with a therapist. The book "The Worry Cure" by Robert Leahy helped a lot. So many self help books never made sense to me, but this book explained my anxiety and helped me figure out how to overcome it. Maybe this could help you too.

[homelandia17 in reply to Sushi33]

Thank you. I will try CBT and read the book. I will do anything to try and ease this.

[Sushi33 in reply to homelandia17]

If you decide to read the book and want to talk about it feel free to message me.

[homelandia17 in reply to Sushi33]

Thank you

[cmeanonymous]

I’m 42 and I have it too. Honestly the thing that has helped me the most is just going through it.

At home I practice my breathing techniques to help calm my nerves. I also tell myself that this is a natural thing my body goes through to help me feel better, and if I need help just call 911.

I think this has been the best thing so far. It’s like I give myself permission to just feel awful. I think part of the phobia is worrying about being a burden or being embarrassed. But everybody goes through it and it’s never fun. It’s sucks. I tell myself that it sucks but it’s okay. Just let it sick for awhile; ultimatums I will feel better afterward.

We even have an on-call ER nurse at one of our local hospitals. I’ve been really sick before and called her to see if I should go to the ER or stay home. She was very informative and helpful.

Out in public I have also learned how to talk to myself about exit strategies. So knowing where the bathrooms are and exits helps. I also realized that being outside meant there would be nothing to clean up. Once I realized that - that outside was actually a much better place than my own bathroom - that alleviated a lot of my fear about being sick away from home.

Now my anxiety only gets going where I feel like I might be a burden to someone. But then I remind myself that no one wants to deal with a sick person so there is some leeway to getting home if I need to do that.

I still struggle with it somewhat at work but not as much. I created exit strategies. I created embarrassment strategies. I thought of all the possible things that bother me about it and I figure out a strategy to deal. It sounds a little obsessive but it has helped me tremendously.

Today I’m not feeling well. I keep peppermints in my desk at work. I make sure I have enough to drink. If I start to feel really bad I will reach out to someone I trust and tell them how I’m feeling (and usually go deeper to figure out why I might be feeling this way).

It’s all about strategy and figuring out what works for you so you can feel better.

I also have a no p-king policy. If you feel sick or think you’re combing down with something do not come around me by any means. I’ve instituted this at work and with friends. I make a joke about it - oh ha ha I’m a germaphobe - but it’s been helpful.

[homelandia17 in reply to cmeanonymous]

Thank you so much sharing your experience and strategies. I think part of the intensity of the fear is not actually telling anyone I have it.

I really appreciate your thoughtful response.

[cmeanonymous in reply to homelandia17]

If you tell people you will find more who also have it. Most people don’t know that it is an actual recognized phobia.