Severe Emetophobia, HELP!

[Claysha_L]

Hey guys! I’m a teenager dealing with pretty severe emetophobia. For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, it’s the fear of getting sick or seeing others get sick. Mine is around getting sick. Puking terrifies me, and it’s been getting really hard to deal with. I don’t go out in public anymore for fear of getting sick randomly or catching a sickness, I barley eat, I won’t take new medications unless I know for sure there aren’t any side effects of nausea or vomiting, and basically I just stay home in bed all day. I barley finished senior year because of staying at home. I am in therapy once a week, one hour sessions, but I seem to be the same.

If anyone else is dealing with something similar I’d love some feedback! And if you’ve beat this phobia I’d be sooo grateful for some tips. It’s really changing me as a person and controlling my life, making my depression really show itself.

Much Love,

Claysha

[mz_rachel]

Hi friend, I’m sorry to hear you’re going thru that. I can’t personally relate but I’m here for you. I suffer just in a different way..

[Claysha_L in reply to mz_rachel]

Thank you so much! I’m here for you too, I suffer from pretty bad anxiety around a lot of things, but this is the worst. ❤️

[mz_rachel in reply to Claysha_L]

Thank you and nice to meet you, I’m Rachel. Yeah I’m actually having an episode rn unfortunately. But anyway, how long have you been dealing with your emetophobia?

[Claysha_L in reply to mz_rachel]

It’s nice to meet you too! And I’m sorry to hear that. I always find distracting myself by reading, watching tv, or meditating works, but it’s all personal preference. And I’ve been dealing with it since I was little, maybe around 11-12? So almost 6 years now.

[mz_rachel in reply to Claysha_L]

Yeah sometimes those things work and other times it’s hard to focus and so that’s where I panic. I’m probably 8 years in and just progressed over time. I used to be such a socialite but now I just like to be at home. How are you feeling today?

[Claysha_L in reply to mz_rachel]

I used to be really outgoing and always go to different places, so I totally understand. And this morning was rough but it’s a little better now. My anxiety is always worse in the mornings and at night. Wbu?

[mz_rachel]

Yeah it’s usually wayyyy worse at night and when I do have moments where it’s affecting my days that’s where I panic. I hate being alone when having episodes bc I feel like what if something happens and it’s just me etc.

[Regina48]

Hi Claysha - I'm a severe emetphob too. I have been since I was around 12. I'm almost 50 now. My suggestion would be to be honest with your therapist and tell them you don't feel like things are getting better. See what they might provide as an alternative in the path the two of have been going down. There's no magic button but since you're young and working with a professional, things can get better. Maybe you can find the root cause or get better coping skills so you can live life. Don't give up!