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 Fear of Vomitting - Emitephobia
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Maree Junior Member  Posts: 15 |
posted 04-02-2002 08:09 AM
  
Hi All. I have had this fear for as long as I can remember. Not only am I afraid to vomit myself - but if I hear or see anyone else vomiting I go into hysterics and have to block my ears and eyes. I can't watch movies that have scenes with vomiting and I avoid places like theme parks and bars. I know I am not alone in having this - but it would be nice to be taken seriously. People say "No one LIKES vomiting" which I know is true - but this is an actual phobia and fear which I would like to overcome before I have children... IP: Logged |
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Zafu unregistered |
posted 04-02-2002 08:38 AM
Hi Maree, Emetophobia is a very real and wide-spread phobia. Have you seen this thread on this very board? Best wishes Zafu [This message has been edited by Zafu (edited 04-02-2002).] IP: Logged |
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Maree Junior Member Posts: 15 |
posted 04-02-2002 08:54 AM
thank you for replying! yes i did see the thread, but those people seemed to be more afraid of themselves vomiting. I am petrified - and that is the best word to describe it - of both. the last time i vomited i cried so much i gave myself an asthma attack and had to be admitted to hospital. while i was there i was more worried about seeing or hearing someone vomit than i was about myself. it just seems as though no one understands and everyone thinks it is a joke or attention seeking. IP: Logged |
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Zafu unregistered |
posted 04-02-2002 09:36 AM
Maree, Like all phobias what you have is treatable. Have you spoken to your doctor about counselling/therapy for it? There is almost certainly a root cause to your phobia that, once realised, can be mentally released and the problem cured. Are you actually fearful or more revulsed by these situations? Zafu IP: Logged |
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Bunbunella Member Posts: 30 |
posted 04-26-2002 09:47 PM
I have extremly similar problem . when i was in elementary skool kids used to puke or feel sick and I would run around or out of the room, sometimes in tears. I get very nervous and jittery when people say there gonna puke or throwup. things like carnivals are like he*ll for me. like i can puke myself but not with ne won else doin it. I think my prob might be this. when i was younger i slept on bunk beds w/ my bro. and he used to get sick off the top bunk..he did have control and so i would completly flip and grab all my sheat and run for my mom. planes are also bad places for me b/c there always barfin in the bags IP: Logged |
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Bunbunella Member Posts: 30 |
posted 04-26-2002 09:48 PM
sorry he did *not have control over his puking lol IP: Logged |
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Jerseygirl Veteran  Posts: 299 |
posted 06-19-2002 11:14 AM
I know this is an old post, but I just had to reply to this! I am PETRIFIED of it!! If someone even says they are sick (that I don't even SEE - maybe it's on the phone or whatever) I can't eat and have trouble sleeping. The last time I threw up was in 1968!! Once in a while I relive that day like it was yesterday - almost like a post traumatic stress thing!!! I FEEL it, I start shaking inside, I know every single detail of that day. Just typing this now is getting me upset.. I will avoid ANYTHING to come in contact with a sick person. When I hear of a bad disease, I always ask, "Does it affect the stomach? They may say "No, but it can be fatal" - I say, "As long as you don't throw up!" and I'm serious! Is anyone THIS bad? And Maree, I too will block my ears and eyes and won't look at a "throw up" scene in a movie or TV show. I didn't get over the fear before I had my daughter, and somehow you get through it. Realize that MOST stomach problems are from bad food and that can be controlled 90% of the time. You can control how you prepare your food and if you are out, get something "safe". Nothing is 100% safe, but you can get something safER... (ie: a hot dog over a tuna salad!) Wash dishes with a paper towel instead of a bacteria filled sponge, things like that. IP: Logged |
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Jerseygirl Veteran Posts: 299 |
posted 06-19-2002 11:20 AM
I went to the link Zafu provided, but it was a link on schizophrenia! IP: Logged |
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Zafu unregistered |
posted 06-19-2002 04:00 PM
Aha, the mods have been moving the boards around..... It was right when I posted it....sorry Zafu IP: Logged |
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Sehsun Senior Member Posts: 249 |
posted 07-04-2002 06:56 PM
I am also afraid of vomit. When I hear people say they are going to throw up, I cover my ears. If I had to see it, I would close my eyes, too. The last time I threw up was in '95. I did not throw up a lot, but I hate feeling like I'm going to throw up. When other people feel like vomiting, I do, too. Either that, or I won't have an appetite. If I get married and/or have kids, my main fear is that I won't be able to help them when they are about to throw up. IP: Logged |
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sweetypi Member Posts: 71 |
posted 09-28-2002 12:57 AM
I have a terrible fear of vomitting. I have 2 children and it's so hard for me to take care of them when they are sick. Fortunately, whenever my kids have been sick my husband has been here to deal with it. I can clean it up but if I hear them throwing up I get very excited and nervous. I start to sweat and then I can't sleep all night. Does anyone have any suggestions? This fear is totally running my life. I don't even have a job because I'm afraid of getting the flu. I won't let my son play outside when it's cold because I'm afraid he will get sick and throw up. I won't babysit my nieces if one of them is sick because I couldn't handle it if they threw up and I was taking care of them. I need help! IP: Logged |
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Jerseygirl Veteran Posts: 299 |
posted 09-28-2002 10:38 AM
I too couldn't sleep all night if my daughter got sick (or even said her stomach hurt, then I'd be AFRAID she MAY throw up!) I'd suggest taking a Xanax that night, it'll relax you enough to get some sleep and make it easier to deal with. I'm sure a doctor an prescribe something for you. IP: Logged |
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sweetypi Member Posts: 71 |
posted 09-29-2002 03:17 PM
Jerseygirl, Thanks so much for the advice. I've been seriously considering seeing a doctor for this. It may be the best solution for me. In the meantime, since my son is sick now, I'll give the med a try. Thanks again. IP: Logged |
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okiegirl Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 11-09-2002 10:32 PM
I know this is an old posting, but I just read it and I can totally relate! I also have a fear of vomiting, and the more I talk to people I realize it isn't as uncommon as I thought. My phobia has gotten really bad in the last few months...triggered by taking care of my mom this spring when she had a really bad case of food poisoning (hospitalized for 4 days!) Anyway, I'm seeing a counselor, taking an antidepressant, and trying to get my life back. But this phobia really does affect your life...scared to get pregnant (morning sickness), avoid sick people like the plague (especially if it is a stomach virus), if I've been around someone who is sick, I won't eat for a few days for fear of throwing up too...is that weird or what!? But counseling is helping and I think I'm making progress. IP: Logged |
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sweetypi Member Posts: 71 |
posted 11-23-2002 11:45 PM
Okiegirl, This isn't really weird at all. I too have a severe problem with emitophobia but since I've been reading some posts on here and doing some research I've noticed a big change. My son, for the past 2 years, during the winter gets a cold so bad that he coughs so hard he throws up. This happens just about every night for almost 6 months. We are taking him to see a specialist because we know this isn't "normal" but for some reason I'm almost "getting use to it". I think the more my kids are sick and throwing up the more I can handle it. I don't get as nervous as I use to when my kids were sick. I'm much calmer now. I know it's hard.......I've dealt with this for over 20 years! A lot of things in my life would change drastically if I didn't have this fear but I'm afraid I'm gonna have to kick it on my own. If you need to talk some more, don't be afraid to vent here. Take care! Sweety IP: Logged |
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Anonymity Senior Veteran Posts: 518 |
posted 11-26-2002 05:24 PM
This isn't exactly the same thing, but I am afraid of being alone while vomiting because I am TERRIFIED of choking on it! My psychiatrist even told me that there is no way that a conscious person who is sitting upright can choke and die on their own vomit. She said only unconscious persons who are lying down and extremely helpless persons (very feeble elderly, very small children, invalids, etc.) can choke on it and actually suffocate. So, any time I'm sick, I try to tell myself over and over that it's impossible for me to choke on it, but it doesn't really help. I HAVE to have someone nearby; I will totally PANIC about vomiting alone! I insist that my mom, fiance, or whoever is near me while I vomit. It's totally embarrassing for me, but, the closer the better. I am the most comforted (and embarrassed) if someone lays a hand gently on my back while I'm vomiting. Vomit, in a physical sense, and the sensation of vomiting don't bother me. I don't like it, but I get over it. Also, seeing/hearing/etc. someone else vomit makes me queasy, but no more than a normal person. Does anyone else feel this way? This isn't ruining my life by any means, but I would like to move past it if possible. I should probably bring it up again with my psychiatrist, but... its an awkward topic. IP: Logged |
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okiegirl Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 11-26-2002 07:09 PM
Sweety: Thanks for your reply. It does help to know that there are people out there with the same anxieties, and that they can get better over time. I too have often thought that once I have kids, that will help me to overcome this fear. I know my kids will get sick from time to time, and I will have to/want to take care of them...so maybe in that process, it will help me to overcome this fear. I sure hope so anyway. I never in a million years thought I would be affected by a phobia such as this. Thank goodness I have a very supportive family and husband...I hope you have a good support system as well. Thanks again for the encouragement. IP: Logged |
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sweetypi Member Posts: 71 |
posted 11-27-2002 01:50 PM
Okiegirl, I'm glad I could give you some reassurance! Trust me, I'm a FREAK when it comes to vomitting. I can't remember ever throwing up from the flu. I only remember throwing up 2 times and it was because of drinking. I was so out of it that I don't really remember it.....just a little. Like I said before, my son was sick last year for 6 months straight and he coughed so hard he threw up. He did this at least 3 times a week and thankfully my husband was always here during those times so he could help. I can't handle holding my son (he's almost 3) when he throws up. My daughter (who's 9 months) had a few episodes about 2 weeks ago where she'd cough and throw up and it didn't bother me AT ALL! And when my son throws up I don't mind cleaning up the mess......that doesn't bother me at all anymore......it just bothers me to see him doing it or more so to HEAR him. I hate it! But I am getting better and have had no therapy or any other treatment. I have considered seeing a therapist to see what can be done because it still prevents me from getting a job so I guess I'll have to work on that. But for now I'm holding up and we're in the flu season now so I guess well see what happens! Thanks for talking! Sweety IP: Logged |
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54321 Senior Member Posts: 137 |
posted 01-01-2003 03:46 PM
hiya, my mum had a very bad vomit phobia, she would never take me to france or IOW just incase someone was sick on the ferry, although she really wanted to go. BUt its getting better, i have an illness which causes me to vomit all the time and shes grandualy getting used to it, so it is possible to eventually over come it good luck IP: Logged |
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