Does anyone else have a major fear of vomiting?

[Hardy524]

I have posted here before but not for a long time. I am still seeing my psychologist but have gone to 3 monthly appointments because I was doing so well. Until yesterday.

My anxiety completely revolves around a major fear of vomiting, closely followed by a fear of diarrhoea. Yesterday my hubby came down with a tummy bug, I handled it not too badly until darkness hit. I completely fell apart. My whole night consisted of full blown panic attacks in the fear that I am also going to get sick.

I do feel stupid, a tummy bug is not a life threatening illness but I can’t help it. I feel like no one understands and that my anxiety is completely irrational. Is there anyone out there whose anxiety is similar?

[Hope_for_the_best]

You are definitely not alone. I also have a fear of getting sick, although not to your extent. I can live my life normally, e.g. eating out, watching characters getting sick in movies etc., but I find it difficult to cope when it is happening live, either to me or others. I would run away whenever anyone around me gets sick. Mine was triggered by a bad case of gastro, in which I could not keep anything down and got repeated diarrhoea (20+ times). I was hospitalised for dehydration, so it is not stupid to fear a tummy bug, as it can get that bad. I don't mean to scare you, but some tummy bugs are indeed contagious. You said your fear was worse in the evening, is it because medical help at nighttime is less available? I can totally relate to that. When I first came to Australia and lived by myself, I always had a fear that I would get a bad tummy bug again and had to deal with it myself.

You have been doing a great job by telling yourself that a tummy bug is not life threatening. Don't feel bad about having a fear. My psychologist says that everyone fears of something, and it does not make someone less of a person. Of course, you do need to find ways to cope with your panic attacks. Keep working with your psychologist.

[Misscj]

Yes I do! I carry a plastic bag around with me incase I'm sick. Even brought spare clothes. It has never happened but I understand your fear.

[Lisa162]

Hi,

I suffer from health anxiety pretty badly, and both my kids have a fear of vomiting or being around someone who does. Its pretty bad, my son hates being in small rooms with lots of kids incase they are sick. After researching it I discovered it is one of the most common phobias. I find it hard to rationalise with them at times. I wonder if is genetic that all 3 of us have a health related anxiety or have they picked up on my ocd behaviour?

I have been told to go see a doctor and to find methods to cope which in turn I would pass onto my kids.

Best of luck and hope you are able to control your phobia/anxiety.

[blondguy]

Hello Hardy524

I feel your pain where nausea is concerned after having chronic anxiety attacks for a while now. Having the panic attacks at night is your system letting you know that you have way too much on your plate at the moment

You are proactive for having seen a psychologist and good on you!

Our digestive system is the most sympathetic to anxiety compared to any other part of our bodies. Our stomach will feel upset and our bowels will let us know that we need (more) assistance with our anxiety disorder

I still see my GP every 5 weeks for a fine tune which helps me so much. I do hope you can post back with any questions that are on your mind

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Hardy524]

Thank you everyone. It is nice to know that someone out there understands.

you can probably understand how my last few days have been, hubby had a tummy bug so I’ve spent the last few days worrying about when someone else (mostly me) will come down with it. I’ve spent days watching the clock, counting down the hours that have passed, researching online, washing my hands obsessively, cleaning....

Never before has my anxiety stopped me going to work, well it did 3 days ago. I was so worried I would get sick at work or while in the car that I didn’t go.

day 5 after the onset of hubbys illness and no one else in the house had been sick so I was actually feeling a lot better today, but this afternoon my daughter tells me she feels sick. So it’s one step forward and two steps back.