Major Fear of Vomit - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

VeganLady · 10-15-2003, 11:53 PM

Okay, I'm not sure if I've came to the right place or not, but here goes.

I've been dealing with this for some time (about 3 years) and it just keeps getting worse. Everyone thinks I am insane because of my irrational fear of vomit. I'm being serious here. Here are just a few things to let you know how scared I really am...

First of all, I can't even watch TV or a movie. Any movie... I just keep thinking "Oh no! Someone is going to throw up!" I recently got talked into going to watch Cabin Fever with a friend... worst mistake ever. The whole movie was about people who were getting sick, of course. I sit in the theatre the whole time with my head burried in the chair and my ears covered because I didn't even want to hear the sound!

My b/f and I were in the car and he started feeling sick and thought he was going to throw up. I got so freaked out that I had a panic attack and almost jumped out of a moving car!

Of course, this fear also gives me a fear of germs. If I think anyone has a virus, I will cover my face when I get near them. If I hear there is a virus going around, I won't leave the house, and if I do, I won't touch anything or anyone!

The worst part? I have IBS and often suffer from nausea. When this happens I literally think I'm going to die. I can hardly breathe and I start shaking all over. I'd rather die that throw up during these times. I'm even afraid to go to sleep at night because I don't want to wake up and suddenly be sick. Getting in the car stresses me out, because I may get car sick! Boats are out of the question, and I'd hate to get sick on a plane! lol. If I am exposed to vomit, on TV or in life, I literally run away and hide and feel sick and upset the rest of the day. I won't eat hardly anything at times because I'm afraid of what it might be like if it came back up. Sorry to be so gross.

I guess I should mention that I am Bipolar, but I don't think that has anything to do with it.

No one understands this. I just want to know that someone else may feel this way. Does anyone out there deal with this? How do you cope? Please, any responses would be appreciated.

Thanks.

MrsLee · 10-16-2003, 01:01 PM

Hi, I just wanted you to know that you are not alone! I am terrified of vomiting and of others doing it. I can't stand to see it, hear it, smell it, etc. I am scared to go to amusement parks, bars, restuarants, anywhere where someone might puke. Everyone just laughs at me-no one understands how real my fear is. I even get scared when people cough sometimes.

I believe this fear of vomit is called emetophobia or something, and I recently read about it on this board. There was a long thread about it as well as a link to a website that gave a very intersting description. I'm not sure what it was called, but you should try finding it.

Anyways, I don't have any solutions for you, I just wanted you to know you're not alone. Good luck!

MrsLee · 10-16-2003, 02:26 PM

Ok, I found the post I was talking about and bumped it up. Its called "emetophobia (vomitting) but this is different." Take a looky....

VeganLady · 10-16-2003, 09:05 PM

Thanks a lot MrsLee! I'll take a look right away.

fur20 · 10-25-2003, 02:17 PM

I too suffer from emitephobia and have almost my entire life although when I was younger I had no idea what it was. I am now 34 and pregnant and scared out of my mind. I have panic disorder and when a woman gets pregnant, the symptoms of panic can become way increased or for the lucky ones, it gets better. I am NOT one of the lucky ones and have been suffering a great deal lately. (For the last 5 weeks or so). I am afraid to leave the house for fear that I will throw up in public. I also cannot be near anyone who even just says they feel sick. I freak right out!!! I run the other way as fast as I can. I am so glad to know there are others out there, but what I really want to know is how to overcome this fear. Does anyone know any tricks or have any words of advice?? Are any of you housebound like I am because of this terrible fear?? I remember a few years back, Oprah Winfrey had the top 10 fears on her show and emitephobia ( or the fear of vomiting) was in that top 10, I believe even in the top 3, so I know we are not alone. I am just at my wits end trying to deal with panic disorder and emitephobia at the same time. Somebody please respond. Thanks!! Sorry, I just realized that I am replying to a post. I wanted to know the thread that you recommended to see if I can find it.