Emetophobia

This might seem fairly useless to say, but you're definitely not alone! My boyfriend, who always acts super tough, is PETRIFIED of throwing up or seeing someone throw up. He says it consumes most of his day and sometimes he won't eat cuz he's so scared. I told him, and you, to go to a counselor. I've had seemingly crazy phobias of my own that have been helped by psychological counseling. As for my boyfriend, I stay up all night with him sometimes while he says over and over that he doesn't wanna throw up. You could maybe find someone compassionate that will always reassure you that you'll be ok. Best of luck darling, and I'll let my boyfriend know he's not alone either!
<3 Annahleise

having someone to help you through your hard times and to help you beat this phobia really helps . my boyfriend knows I'm absolutely terrified of V. I will do anything in my power to make sure I dont V . but he stays with me until I relax and makes sure I stay cool and puts a fan on me . it really helps having someone there with you . but most of the time when I panic I don't want anyone to see me panicking .

wow!! you are seriously not alone! iam 18 years of age, and since i was a little girl i would be afraid of people getting sick around me or even me! But what really changed my life around was when in the end of may, i had gotten sick for no apparent reason and ever since that i felt nauseous all the time and feel like im gonna get sick when i go out! and seriously i was all over with friends and family , doing my own thing. But now i tend to want to stay at home with my mom or jsut at home seems more comfortable and makes me relax a little. But This is a really serious thing, which i hope we all can get through this!! please mail me a message about it. thanks alot!!

I COMPLETELY understand what you are going through!! I am 24 years old, and have been suffering from this since I was probably about 7 or 8 years old. I have not gotten sick since then, and for the last 16+ years I have been positively terrified almost every single day of my life that I will, or that someone around me will. But I'm like you in the sense that other people throwing up is enough to send me into a full-blown panic attack. It terrifies me enough to where I am scared to death to ever have a family or live with anyone else, even though I want very much to get married and have kids someday. And it affects things I do in everyday life, where I go, who I see. It's awful. When other people around me are sick, I feel like I'm out of control. I don't know what to do about it, don't know where to go, but it is just completely taking over my whole life. I wish I had some great advice for you, but even though I don't, just letting you know you are NOT alone!!! If anyone has any advice, it would be *greatly* appreciated! Thanks!!

Hi, I'm Alexis. I live in West Virginia I'm 14 years old. I believe I suffer from Emetophobia. I read one post I believe that said something about growing up around people throwing up. My mom is an alcoholic. She throws up at least 3 times a week... She is so loud I am on the other side of the house on the roof outside I still can hear her gaging.. Everytime I have to hear it I curl up into a ball and cry, Shake, And have trouble breathing. One time I had a friend over my mom had drank so much the night before she ran from the couch towards the bathroom and vomited next to my door.. It sepied through I watched in running under my door. I was screaming crying and hid under my blanket keeping my self from breathing because I didn't want to smell it.. The worst part was hearing the gag then the splash off of the carpet. I don't believe mine is a severe case but I'm afriad it may worsen. I can't even go to see movies with my friends in fear of there being a scene where someone may throw up. I also have a fear of myself throwing up I have practicly the same syptoms when I see hear or smell someone else but almost worse I shake so bad I lay on the floor shaking. I have to pull things away from my neck if its touching my neck I have a panic attack. One time I suffered from a shock seizure. I don't know what to do... One of the bad parts is I have short term memory lose but the only things I can remember is everytime I or someone around me has thrown up.. It's eating me away I'm not eating unless I'm alone, I wont go to partys, I wont even go to the hospital in fear of someone there being sick. I don't want to do this anymore. I was it to leave my life.

I know what you mean! I have been afraid to throw up ever since I was 6 or 7. I sometimes go into a full blown panic attack and start shaking and I just freeze! It's hard especially when you feel like no one else is there to support you and no one else has this fear. When I was 6 I was in the mall and I was probably very hungry but my stomach made a noise, just one little noise and I sat down on that mall floor and screamed " I don't want to throw up! I'd rather die!" the reason your brain goes into this panic mode is because a chemical is released into your brain. Some people have more than others. The people that have more of this chemical get scared or anxious easier. I have figured out a way to calm this chemical.
First take 5 deep breaths
Think back to all of the other times you have been scared to throw up but never have
Close your eyes and think Of things that make you happy
Smell a good scented candle and maybe even light it
Have a cuP of chamomile tea and think of how good your life is
All of these things helP balance out the chemical in your brain. If this is severe like mine, do see a counselor , that's what I did and they have an everlasting impact on how I see things. Another thing that might cause you to have this is if you have had a traumatic event happen in your life. My brother had to go to the emergency room because he couldn't braethe when I was very young and I was forever traumatized. Just remember you are not alone. I support and so does everyone here. Just remember,'don't waste your time worrying about what will haPpen, live your life in the mOmentn and go with the flow. Best of luck to you and tell me if my tips worked!!!

I can totally relate to about nine tenths of the things you said. If it affects your everyday life (i.e. you''re panicking about throwing up for no reason on a regular basis), you should definitely get help. Otherwise, consider yourself lucky - you''re probably a lot healthier than most people who aren''t constantly avoiding germs and other vomit inducers. Also, this is probably true of many emetophobics: I''ve found that this phobia has made my GI tract stronger than ever. I have the sheer force of will to avoid vomiting entirely, whether I have been on an hour-long car ride down winding roads, am so drunk I can hardly stand up, or am actually infected with a stomach virus.

i can relate to this too, i have suffered from this for only 10 months now...i am 23 and the fear of vomiting scares the living day lights out of me...i havent been sick in 9 yrs though and touch wood i wont be sick or another few years...but it does control your life...it has controlled mine that much in the 10 months that i have attempted suicide...i havent really ate anything decent since having this phobia cause i think to myself that i will be sick...i feel nauseous 24/7, and have lost ALOT of weight in those months too...i used to weigh 15st and now i weigh 7st, its alot of weight to lose in that space of time though...i have 4 young kids under the age of 5 whom i am scared to be next too incase they have the stomach bug but not showing signs of it yet...even when they are sick i run out the house and get my hubby to clean it, and i dont return back in until its all cleaned and the smell has gone...but i hope we can all overcome this fear asap cause its ruining our lifes x

I have had a severe fear of vomiting ever since I can remember. I just found out about 3 years ago that there was actually a name for what I have. Emetaphobia. I am glad that I'm not alone in this terrible phobia. There is one book that I found that helped A LITTLE. It's called Living With Emetaphobia. The author is British, and she too suffers from Emetaphobia. I have children, and it extremely difficult for me when they get ill. My panic attacks are brutal, often resulting in pulling my hair out to the point of drawing blood. This THING has dabilitated my entire life, and I am so tired of being this way. When I am have a panic attack, I try to tell myself that everything is going to be okay ... that this will pass ... that "these thoughts are not healthy for me, so I'm going to think positively". Also, my 7th grade science teacher (THANK YOU) told me that if you suck on ice chips, you can't and won't throw up. It has worked for me forever and I hope it helps some of you.

I am 13 years old, and I have had Emetophobia since I was 8. I developed the strange phobia soon after a tramatizing childhood event. Emetophobia has taken over my life. I can't sit through a movie, fearing there will be a scene where someone vomits, causing me to feel sick. When I go to restaurants I have to know where the nearest bathroom is, and I have to sit close to it. Even the thought, or just someone talking about it makes me anxious. Anytime I hear that someone feels sick, or someone has thrown up, I immediately have to get away from the area. Travelling is almost impossible. I hate long car/plane rides because i fear someone will get car/air sick and there is no escaping. The thing that terrifies me most, is someone vomiting right in front of me. I have nightmares about it and i wake up uncontrollably shaking. When any of my family members mentions feeling sick, I lock myself in my room in fear that i will see, hear, smell, or get sick myself. I avoid any situtaions where someone or myself might get sick, like theme parks, public restrooms, ect. I am unable to babysit, in fear that a child will will choke and vomit. I cannot sit by small children while eating in fear they will gag. (which has happened before) I also avoid over eating, and stop eating before i am full. I really hope i get over this because i'm worried it will control every decision I make. I have heard that women have delayed or even avoided pregnancy because of the fear of morning sickness. I do not want to be one of those people who let a phobia ruin their life. I have to get over this myself because i am to embarrassed to tell anybody, or ask for help or treatment. But for now, i just avoid putting myself in those situations as much as possible.

I'm so scared to throw up everyday of my life i feel like god wants me to throw up i actually tell my self i have to do this to get over my fear but i just can't it scares me even more my mind just fight these thoughts all day no it's just anxiety making me feel sick then i say no u have to do this its not abig deal your gona b ok n ive actually tried to but i couldnt do it n it was a terrifying experience to even try i cnt do it but i cnt convice my mind that its ok not to throw up im so fed up with this feel but dnthave the guts to throw up to scary i cnt do it n im driving my self cray evey day im so scared could someone offer me advice please

I feel the exact same way you do ! I'm new to the forum , my names Renee & I am about to be 23 years old . I have had this phobia since I was about 10 years old . it gotten progressively worse since I've gotten older . I figured it would get better , but it's done the opposite . my fear gets worse at night time . I have no idea why ! this started last year . I panic every day I will throw up . although I have actually thrown up in like 15 years , except a year ago in the middle of the night twice . I'm terrified I will get sick an I will do anything to avoid it or being around anyway who may V . panic attacks are horrible , I shake horribly and I start to breathe heavily and have to stay cold because I get so hot from my nerves and immediately always think I have a fever . if anyone has any advice on how to know if I'm really sick or if it's just me thinking too much please help me . I'm scared to death . thank you !

CAN YOU RAISE MONEY FOR RESEARCHINTO EMETOPHOBIA?

There is still a lot to learn about the cause and treatment of emetophobia.
We are planning to conduct research on the contribution that genetics play in emetophobia. In order to measure how much genes play in the development of emetophobia, the best way is to investigate how common emetophobia is in identical and non-identical twins. In those we identify as having emetophobia we will interview both twins to learn about the memories of vomiting (whether they have emetophobia or not). We can then learn about both the contribution of genetics and experiences of vomiting in the development of emetophobia.
To undertake this research, we need to raise a relatively small sum of money (about 2000) to cover the administrative costs for collecting data from about 7000 twins. (We are personally not paid for the research, which is conducted through our role at King’s College London).
As members of the emetophobia community, we ask if you would be willing to make a donation or organise a sponsored event to raise funds for this research? Because King’s is charity, contributions can also be Gift Aided.
If you would like some more information please do not hesitate to contact me via private message. By enquiring you do not commit yourself to anything; I will simply give you some more information and give you the opportunity to ask questions. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Dr David Veale, FRCPSych, Consultant Psychiatrist and Rachael Phillips

There is still a lot to learn about the cause and treatment of emetophobia.
We are planning to conduct research on the contribution that genetics play in emetophobia. In order to measure how much genes play in the development of emetophobia, the best way is to investigate how common emetophobia is in identical and non-identical twins. In those we identify as having emetophobia we will interview both twins to learn about the memories of vomiting (whether they have emetophobia or not). We can then learn about both the contribution of genetics and experiences of vomiting in the development of emetophobia.
To undertake this research, we need to raise a relatively small sum of money (about 2000) to cover the administrative costs for collecting data from about 7000 twins. (We are personally not paid for the research, which is conducted through our role at King’s College London).
As members of the emetophobia community, we ask if you would be willing to make a donation or organise a sponsored event to raise funds for this research? Because King’s is charity, contributions can also be Gift Aided.
If you would like some more information please do not hesitate to contact me via private message. By enquiring you do not commit yourself to anything; I will simply give you some more information and give you the opportunity to ask questions. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Dr David Veale, FRCPSych, Consultant Psychiatrist and Rachael Phillips

I am 32 and I have had panic attacks associated with emetophobia since I was around 6 or 7. I honestly don't know what childhood experience created this. However, it does impact my life. I am what I consider an exceptionally intellectual and spiritual person... married to my best friend; with a house I love and job that pays well. However, like everyone in this forum - I am afraid of vomitting every single day. I avoid eating out with colleagues. In the back of my head, I know I'll be fine... because like most of us with emetophobia... we seem to have some of the strongest stomachs in the world. However, when I go out to eat with my colleagues (especially in a crowded and noisy restaurant) I feel overwhelmed. I feel like my throat closes and I completely lose my appetite because my anxiety induces the SENSATION of nausea which causes more panic, ad infinitum. I take xanax and that helps to some degree; though I still do not like eating out with people I don't know extremely well. This has also developed into agoraphobia for me over the last 3 years. I have a feeling I'm not alone with this. In my panicked state, I want to leave and be completely alone. Sitting near the restrooms in restaurants gives me some comfort because if I get panic and heave to disappear immediately - I can. I have spent many years self medicating myself with alcohol. Anyone who has done the same knows that their anxiety is even worse the next day. I had one of my worst panic attacks on a 45 minute car ride. My wife was driving, it was night time and we were on a highway that lacked the number of exits that most other highways have in this town. I've done my best to explain to my wife about my triggers, how to react, etc. People have told me that having her by my side should make me feel comfortable. The simple fact is - having ANYONE around when I am having a panic attack just makes it worse because of the embarrassment I feel of them seeing me and thinking I'm crazy. It just amplifies the panic.

I have heard that breathing into a paper bag helps (because the more oxygen you take in, the more energy you gain which will agitate your condition).

Here is a technique I found that does help. It is not easy. In fact if you are in mid-attack it can seem downright impossible - though it is very possible:

If you inhale longer than you exhale, you gain energy. If you exhale longer than you inhale, you calm your heart rate. Holding your breath as long as you can will also slow your heart rate because your heart doesn't know when it will receive oxygen again.

I suggest breathing in....1.....2.....3
then breathe out 1....2.....3.....4.....5.....6

I find this does indeed help calm myself to the point where I can mentally manage the attack and gain control back from the sensations I am experiencing.

Another technique is to put your ear against a wall, close your eyes, and feel the wall - counting every bump in the wall you feel. This stimulates a different part of the brain and distracts you almost immediately from your panic attack.

The key is distraction! Ice (or cold) is a HUGE help. Don't worry if you're around people while having a panic attack and you have a large cup of ice water or cola in your hand. Dump it down your back! Who cares what people think? It will instantly shock the panic out of you and last at least a few minutes. Use these few minutes to remind yourself "I do not feel panic now. I must be fine.". The fact is that panic is simply sensations... as REAL as they feel to us, they are not. We are not going to throw up from a panic attack. In fact, we throw up less than the rest of the population because we avoid things that we feel may cause our stomachs to become upset, as someone above mentioned.

Lastly - DRAMAMINE. It is an anti emetic. That means it PREVENTS you from throwing up. Most people think it is just for motion sickness while traveling. It is an over the counter instant "stop vomit" pill. It behaves similar to prescription medications such as promethazine and phinegrin... yet is healthier on your liver to take over long periods of time.

I wish you all the best of blessings as I will myself to be over this terrible condition.

Thanks for sharing.

hi.. I believe I had this too.. I can relate to the fear and it was probably related to a school trip way back when I was a child. My seatmate threw up all over me during the trip.

Anyway, I am not afraid of vomit now. You know what cured me? Necessity. I decided to become a nurse and running away from people who vomit is impossible. However, am still afraid of throwing up myself and I do all ways to avoid it. However I am no longer afraid of other people vomiting.