Emetophobia

[unicorngirl]

For those who have never heard of it, emetophobia is the fear of vomiting. I have emetophobia. Not only do I fear vomiting myself, but I also fear others vomiting. It doesn't matter if what they are vomiting from is contagious or not, I absolutely can NOT be near someone who is or potentially may vomit. If someone simply says to me "I don't feel good", I start sweating and shaking from fear, and yet this phobia is not as bad for me as it is for some people. I know some emetophobics don't eat enough because of their fear, and can be misdiagnosed as anorexic. Others constantly wash their hands or check dates on food because they fear germs or bacteria will make them sick. Some can not function outside the home because they are afraid of being sick in public.

If there are any other emetophobics here, I hope you will respond to this thread. 

[amensinger]

I am an emetophobic as well and have been for my entire life. I fear doing it my self more than others doing it. If I know someone is not contagious I do not worry as much but still will leave if there is someone sick. If someone at work or home has the stomach virus I freak out and go into anxiety. I check dates and smell food all the time, if I think something is bad I will throw it away when most of the time it is probably fine to eat. I avoid eating out alot, I will not eat chicken anywhere but home, or just about any meat. I would never eat salad with mayo in it out anywhere only if i make it, I am horrible with fear of vomiting, I will do anything to not vomit, I carry phenergan with me as well as zofran, gingerr tablet are also great. I am glad I found this site because I not only have emet but also gad, and health anxiety but I guess that goes with gad as well.

Andrea     

[Violet]

Hi there,

I just joined this forum, I have had emetophobia for nearly 10 years now on and off and it has rewined most of my life, I suffer from anxiety ocd and depression because of this and other things

I have for the past year been studying emetophobia, the causes, help out there, and our basic outlook on life while having this phobia.

Its an awful phobia to have just as others are, very dabilitating!

As unicorngirl said correctly, there are alot of things that can be classed as "rituals" that some of us do, but getting to know other emetophobics really can help, you know that support network.

Im planning on finishing my book in the next 3 years, hopefully the end may include recovery.

Nice to see some fellow emet's around :D

Take Care

Violet 

[poppycoq]

i also have emetophobia.  it's such a horrible phobia because it seems like everyone around you is a ticking time bomb.  i won't go out to bars too late at night when i think people might be drunk enough to vomit (which, i guess, could really any time, but i feel like the odds are better later at night . . . and if this manner of thinking allows me to go out at all, then i'll keep it).  i won't date or hang out with anyone that i deem a "puker."  i also have never drank alcohol for fear that i might throw up and like a previous poster am very weird about what i eat out.  what makes this problem even worse for me is that my anxiety presents itself as a stomachache (among various other symptoms).  so, i have these horrible stomachaches everyday because i'm anxious and then i have panic attacks if they get bad enough to where i think i might throw up, which is a lot of the time because, like other emetophobes i've read about, i can't differentiate between my stomachaches and accurately determine which ones mean what.  so, it's like the chicken and the egg.  it just compounds on itself.  i refuse to take medicine for my panic disorder because the doctor gave me one that made me come very, very close to being sick and now i'm afraid to try any others.  i feel like it's so sad that our lives are ruled by something that most people find distasteful, but ultimately benign.

has anyone been able to trace their fear back to a specific event?  i've tried to do this many times, but can't really come up with anything that i feel was traumatizing enough to have such an impact.

also, i've read that emetophobia is related to issues of control over one's body?  any thoughts????

[gloomy]

I think all issues and disorders or phobias associated with anxiety are control issues.  I suffer with hypochondria and am sure its to do with me not being able to control what disease I may get.

[aussiegirllost]

has anyone been able to trace their fear back to a specific event?  I've tried to do this many times, but can't really come up with anything that i feel was traumatizing enough to have such an impact.

also, I've read that emetophobia is related to issues of control over one's body?  any thoughts????

I too also suffer terribly with this phobia. I have since I was around 9-10 years of age. I have traced it back to when I about 7 I think and had pneumonia. The Dr gave me medication to treat the pneumonia which I was allergic to which caused me to vomit constantly for days. I was taken to hospital and the whole thing was just so traumatic and awful! I recovered but ever since have suffered terrible anxiety.

I also suffer from Health Anxiety, and a bit of OCD, among other things, but I think they are all linked back to my emetophobia.

I am a bit better now with the fact if I know someone is sick in that way and it's not contagious I can handle it better, but if it is I go into total panic and starve my self for about a week and just generally feel miserable.

I do all sorts of crazy 'coping' behaviour', and a big one is washing my hands a lot. I too don't ever eat chicken when I'm eating out, and I always throw away food that is probably fine to eat but I just won't risk it!

It's nice to know I'm not alone with this, I actually can't believe how common it is!

[sofiesmall]

Oh my goodness, you do not know (well, you probably do..) how fantastic it is to discover other people do and feel exactly the same as me!! I developed emetophiba when I was 9 years old.
I was sick in public twice, within the space of a week, and as I was never a very sickly child it really scared me. I then developed an sevre eating disorder and stopped eating gradually until I stopped drinking aswell.
 I weighed less than three stone at one point and was rushed to hospital several times. I was put on fluvoxomine (i can't spell it!) and became better. I started eating again, but not a normal amount. I had OCD too, I would touch the stair rail three times each time I went up the stairs because I thought if I didn't I would be sick!
I would only wear certain clothes, clothes that I'd worn before and not been sick whilst wearing.

But anyway, I started eating normally again and started high school. For the first year everything was fine, then in the second year a boy threw up ono my table during class, and all my fears were brought back. I didn't stop eating, but I was too anxious to leave the house, I started havingmore and more time off school, and when I did go back I would gt bullied very badly about my phobia, which is when my anxiety attacks started.

A lot has happened since then but I still suffer with emetopobia quite badly. I will check meat thoroughly before eating it to make sure ti is cooked. If it looks a little bit pink I will not eat it. I won't eat or drink anything if it's near its sell by date. I wash my hands thoroughly after going to the loo. The normal emet things.

But it's recently that I've gone down hill again. I started college in September after about 4 years of not going out, which was a massive thing for me to do and I am so proud of myself for doing it. But I really struggling with it. I get bad stomache cramps and diareah when I feel anxious, which then makes me think I have a stomach bug which then makes me worry even more..and it just goes round in circles. I've been having days off due to this sick feeling in my stomach and now college are getting frustraed with me, just like school did. If i feel slightly off colour for whatever reason, I won't eat anything, or go out incase I am sick. And it's starting to take over my life again. I try to tell myself the sick feeling is just nerves but I still panic, and it just gets worse and worse.
Does any one else get stomache cramps?

I don't know what to do about it 

[aussiegirllost]

I've been having days off due to this sick feeling in my stomach and now college are getting frustrated with me, just like school did. If i feel slightly off colour for whatever reason, I won't eat anything, or go out in case I am sick. And it's starting to take over my life again. I try to tell myself the sick feeling is just nerves but I still panic, and it just gets worse and worse.
Does any one else get stomach cramps?

I don't know what to do about it

Hi Sofiesmall,

I too suffer from all sorts of stomach issues, and that is mainly as I have IBS, which is what it sounds like you have also. Harmless, but just such a nuisance! I find that certain foods trigger me, but so does being stressed and worried. It also doesn't help when you don't eat much, and then if you eat something, it triggers the whole digestion process, which can be a bit painful if you have IBS. I do the same thing, I don't eat because of my Emetophobia sometimes, and I can guarantee that I will have issues with my bowels as it's interupting the normal process. I find eating regular small meals helps. Can you stand even to eat just dry crackers or something plain? I know you probably don't want to, but it might help? How long do you not eat anything for? I usually last a few days then feel weak so have to eat something!!
Hope this helps 

[sofiesmall]

Hi aussiegirl!

I don't go very long without eating, I tend to eat during the evening because I know that I'm going to be at home all night so if I am ill, I'll be okay because I'm at home with my family. I fear being sick in public or on my own you see. So I usually go about..a day without eating properly, which isn't very long. I used to go weeks on end just eating a biscuit or something, but now I'm so determinded not to lose anymore precious wieght that I force myself to eat sensibly. I'm trying to eat three healthy meals a day, even if I'm not overly hungry. When I have this stomach pain I get too nervous to eat. If I try to eat something my mouth feels so dry I can't swallow. Maybe I could have a milkshake or something like that? Something liquidy?
Do you think I should go to the doctors about my stomach problems?
Are there any ways of dulling down the effects of IBS?
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels like this! 

[aussiegirllost]

I would suggest seeing your Dr about IBS, but unfortunatley I've found there isn't alot that improves my condition. I find I can control it better by eating better, and trying to exercise at least a few times a week, just going for walks or something.
I have tried everything over the years (I was diagnosed with it at 15 and I'm now 26) and have found that by increasing my fibre intake helps also. Makes you feel a bit bloated at first, but settles down and helps with my type of IBS that alternates between constipation and diahorrea.
I am currenlty going through a terrible week with my Emetophobia and I've barely eaten for the whole week, and I'm starting to get angry at myself as I'm already so skinny! It's almost like I hate food! I truly hate being this way and I'm considering starting some form of anti-depressant. Have you tired any kinds of medication?

[prosperous07]

  It is so great to hear that others have this phobia as well.  I have had it since I experienced my first anxiety attack which was about 18 years ago. Ever since then when I have to go somewhere I make sure I haven't eaten anything. I don't want to get anxious and throw up. Then by the end of the day, I have a smashing headache and I my bottom drops out when I do finally eat. I avoid restaurant's all together...I can't handle the sight or smell of someone throwing up....I never throw up and have only done it once in my life that I can remember. When I know people have had the pukes, I can go a week without eating anything...I always have to feel safe before I can eat again. I find myself making up stories when I am with people and they want to eat out..I usually say well I eat a big breakfast, so I don't eat lunch. I then just sit there and watch people eat feeling alone because I can't bring myself to feel the fear and do it anyway. I do not take medication for my anxiety, I have always opted not to for the side affects and the fear that it will make me throw up. I used to be on 0277 years ago and there was an emetophobia support group on there...they were really nice people. I just feel alone in my issues...nobody seems to understand unless they have experienced it themselves. I have had some situations happen lately in my ;life that don't help anxiety and my fear much. I have started a new career, lost a relationship, quit smoking (Jan). And I am scared to death, I have to go to Portland for a training at the end of Feb. Anyway...I appreciate u all listening to me and reading my post I love to know that others share this common ground with me.

Thanks,
Karen :)

[Rayne]

I have had emetophobia since I was a senior in high school.  Over twenty years ago.  I would have extreme bouts of nausea, vomitting, and the runs.  The doctor ran some blood tests and said it was all in my head.  At one point I was so terrified to eat, so afraid I was going to throw up that I stopped eating and ended up at 86 pounds.  The doctors told me I was anorexic even though I kept telling them I didn't want to be this skinny. I dealt with it until five years ago when I was diagnosed with Crohn's.  I still have all of the physical symptoms but at least they are more under control. 
My life is totally controlled by emetophobia.  Except when I am in remission, then, even though the thoughts are there I can control them because I am not having the physical symptoms.
Right now the Crohn's is very bad and my first thought in the morning is if I am going to throw up or not.  I can't tell you how many times I think about it during the day, it's constant.  If my daughters tell me there is a stomach flu going around at school, I panic.  If my husband tells me some one at work got sick, I panic. I regret every meal I eat because I am afraid I am going to throw it up. I haven't visited my mother in fifteen years because I am worried about travelling and also because it seems like there is always a stomach virus going on at her house.
I am afraid to be on a plane any more because the last couple of times I have flown there were a few people vomiting.
 I have started anti-anxiety drugs and anti-depression drugs and am hoping they will give me some relief.
I am afraid to leave the house because I am afraid I will throw up in public, I am afraid to be alone because I don't want to be ill and have no one here to help me.  I do the same thing with food, if I think it might be even a little bit off I throw it out.  I don't want to eat out because I don't know what the people have done to the food and I worry that maybe someone who was touching or preparing the food might have a stomach virus or something else and pass it on to me.
My life has been ruined by this, I used to do so much, I taught programming classes, I was a historian, a writer, an artist and now I just sit here in a ball of anxiety waiting to get sick.  Fearing being sick.  Every little twitch, bubble, lurch, burp, what ever, makes me afraid I am going to be sick.
It is good to know that I am not the only one.  It makes me feel a little less alone.

[carmen_6589]

WOW! i never thought it had a name....Emetophobia!

As long as i can remember i have had a fear of vomitting and also other people vomitting.
I don't think i am as bad as some people have posted, but people always used to think i was crazy! I tried to explain, how it wasn't just "not liking the smell or sight of vomit" but it was more than that.

I remember one time i was on the bus to go to college, and this girl (who i didn't know) told her mum that she was feeling sick. I immediately started to panic, and i listened intently to their conversation. Eventually it got so hard to handle, and i was so scared that she would vomit on the bus, that i turned round and shouted at them "get off the bus if you feel sick cause you better not chuck up on here! its disgusting!" I was so embaraassed, but i was scared. The women just looked at me as if to say "how dare you!" and quite rightly so, but i was just so panicky about it i couldn't hold it in.

They stayed on the bus anyway, and i still sat there sweating and panicking, but the girl never did vomit. 

As for tracing it back to where you think it started, i think mine started when i was about 4 years old, and i felt really ill. I vomitted on my mum's carpet and got such a telling of for it that i thought i had done something wrong. So i guess whenever i feel sick, i feel bad subconciously because i think i am a bad person. So when other people feel sick ( which in turn makes me feel sick) i get just as worked up over it.

Thanks for this post...i really can't believe it has a name! 

Carmen x x x

[NightOwl]

I dunno if I ahve it or not exactly.  I am scared I am going to when my stomach bothers me and I ahve forced myself to do it before because I hate the feeling of not knowing when it will happen.

[Rayne]

I am not sure if it is typical emetophobia, but it does sound like at least a varient of it.  Especially since it does cause you serious stress and makes you alter your life to accomodate the feelings and axiety.

[chicken138]

i find that when being anxious about something else like going out to certain places that in turn makes me feel sick and gives me diarhera (cant spell) and then im scared about actually being sick and the diorhera lasting that i dont go out. its a viscous circle.

[Rayne]

I have learned that the mind has incredible control over how the body performs.  Unfortunately, it seems to be better at the negative stuff than it is at the positive.

[StarsBreakToo]

hey there! I have severe emetophobia, which I believe started all of my other mental disorders. My fear became so extreme, that I avoided doing things totally unrelated to getting sick [like going on a certain website] that I did before I threw up, Because I thought that it would make me throw up again. After letting it control my life too long, I'm now in counseling and medication. It's not exactly helping me with my fear of vomiting, but rationalizing my thoughts of doing unrelated things making me sick.


Also, if you start noticing signs of hypochondria, and become caught up in a huge, stronger disease, [cancer for an example], you'll realize that your fear of vomiting is meaningless compared to your fear of a greater disease!

I've had my share of Emetophobia since I was about 4, lost my relationships to it, etc, but trust me, you won't have it forever if you take the right steps in the right direction; good luck! 

[Rayne]

You do bring up some good points.  I, too, started associating different actions or events with possible vomitting. 
For me, though, I have no concerns about getting other illnesses.  It may be because I actually do have an illness that causes nausea and vomitting which caused the emetophobia. 
Counseling and anti-anxiety meds have helped a lot and my only really bad times are when I am alone and I'm having a really bad Crohn's episode.
But the thoughts and fears of vomitting are always in the back of my mind no matter what.  I've just learned to control it better. And I still don't go to certain places or do certain things because of those fears.  But, on the other hand, I am going out to many more places, just taking it slowly and building on each success as I go.
I'm not anywhere near to what I would call normal, yet, but I do see so much improvement in myself.

[lou_]

Hey. I have/had emetophobia too.

It got to it's worst about 2 yrs ago, i wouldn't say it was really really bad, but it still affected my life. To this day, i still find it hard to go to places where i can't escape easily, especially gigs/concerts! I'm always checking best before dates on food, and i constantly chew gum to stop any sickly tastes in my mouth, but i also find that this relaxes me in some ways. I also hate travelling, mostly on public transport, like busses... and if it's crowded or if someone is sitting next to me, thats the worse! my palms get sweaty and i go into panic mode! you could almost say i was chlosterophobic too!
This phobia has got a lot easier the past 2 years though, i feel a lot more confident and find it easier to relax in situations mentioned above. I'm not entirely sure how i managed to cope, i think i jsut told myself that i will not be sick and i'm being an idiot! 

[Rayne]

I find that works for me, too.  Just reminding myself over and over that I'm acting like a fool, that everything is going to be okay, and to stop being so stupid.
It is much better for me that it was a while ago but I still have a rough time when I'm thrown into stressful situations, or when ever we move to a new place and I have to get comfortable with my surroundings again all over again.