Terrified of vomiting

[Kiah02]

Hi there

I guess I'm just needing to get off my chest just how bad my anxiety has become over the fear of vomiting. I'm 28 and have 2 kids. I feel like it's been an issue for me for the last 3 years and it's just getting worse n worse. To the point I get scared to take my kids out places in case they happen to get a tummy bug and then I get it too. It's literally ruining my life and theirs. If we do go out somewhere especially around other kids, I'm on edge for the next 2 days just waiting for them to get sick. It's been a long time since I've vomited but I still cant get past the fear. I panic thinking i cant breathe and i might die. I wonder about if i was to get sick how am i supposed to look after my kids. I want to be able to take them to fun places without this constant dread and panic. I have told some family about my issue but I don't think they understand just how bad it really is for me.

[Quercus]

Hello Kiah02 and welcome to the forums.

As a fellow mum of little kids your story is so relatable for me also. For me the anxiety is based around fever though.

I found three things that have helped me enormously that perhaps are worth a try...

The most important... Ask for help from a medical professional. It is easy for people to brush off your fears if they personally have never experienced anxiety. It can be so hard for family and friends to understand or even for you to explain. That's where a doctor or psychiatrist specializing in anxiety can be so vital. They will take you seriously and discuss ways you can help yourself challenge the unhelpful thoughts.

Consider medication if the doctor believes it is appropriate. I spent most of my life anxious and flat out refused meds. Thing is though... I needed them. Since starting an antidepressant I have finally been able to see how anxious and on edge I have always been.

The final thing that has helped is being prepared. If we are travelling I take an esky with the kids medication just in case, thermometer in my handbag and fluid replacement powder in the first aid kit. Is this overreaction? Most likely! But I couldnt care less. I feel less anxious because Im in control.

I hope you can find ways that help you. If words fail you can always print your post to show your GP.

Nat

[Kiah02]

Thanks so much for your reply!

I've never given medication a thought because I feel like how would it help with such a fear? I know sickness and vomiting is all a part of life n these things happen, it just scares me so much! I will be making an appointment with my GP just to talk about the issue n then I'll go from there.

Laying in bed every night worrying about the "what ifs" is getting a bit much now.. and the guilt for my beautiful kids. I want them to have so much fun and joy in their lives and I'm holding us all back!

I'm constantly washing my hands to the point they will crack and bleed.. if I've touched something I cant relax until I know I've washed them. I avoid touching anything in public. I make my oldest child wash his hands probably more than I should. I'm just trying to keep everyone healthy!

This fear has taken over my life!

[Quercus]

Hi Kiah and thank you for returning to talk some more..

I really appreciate that you are open to talking to your GP about this because from what you write this is a serious problem.

There are so many options for treatment which can help (not just meds but also therapies) and it seems a shame to be suffering as you are when you don't have to be.

Have you got a good barrier cream for your hands until you can see your doctor? You can get cotton gloves from the chemist to wear at night to help the cream soak in. I found with small kids you do wash more but I have cream at every tap and routinely moisturise. At heart you need help with managing the cause of why you need to scrub but until then please take good care of yourself ok.

You sound like such a loving Mum but also one under a huge amount of stress. It is ok to care for yourself, we have to otherwise how can we look after others?

I have to return to house painting now but will be back to check in with you properly when I can.

❤nat

[Alexlisa]

Hello Kiah

I can really hear that you’re having a hard time. It’s great that you reached out here. It sounds like it would be a good idea to see a psychologist to get some help. You’re right that vomiting sometimes is a part of life, but your anxiety and panic about it is absolutely something that can be treated. No one deserves to deal with those kind of relentless worries and thoughts.

Please think about visiting your GP to ask for a Mental Health Plan. It will let you see a psychologist for free, up to 10 times a year.

There absolutely is help for you out there. A psychologist can teach you skills to manage and challenge the thoughts, and support you while you find your feet. And medication is also an option for anxiety, regardless of what the particular thing is you’re worried about.

In my experience, anxieties like this don’t tend to go away by themselves, and sometimes can get bigger and so, harder to treat. So please don’t keep going through this by yourself. You are doing so well to keep going, but sometimes we can’t do these things alone.

Take care

Alexlisa

[Kiah02]

Wow thankyou both for your support, it makes me feel just that little bit better!

I will definately take on the advice you've given me and will 100% be seeing my doctor.

About my crazy handwashing, I have a few different creams and barriers but I'm washing them so often that I'm literally washing the creams off and they don't get the chance to soak in properly. I will give the night time glove idea a go!

Can I just ask.. how do you guys go with vomiting? Do you freak out n get all upset during it? Or just get it over with n move on like nothing happened?

Goodluck with the painting Nat! Thanks for coming back to chat.

[Alexlisa]

Vomiting is something I’ve always feared as well. It’s a complicated issue because a part of the physical sensations of panic is digestive symptoms like nausea. It’s something that made sense evolutionarily in our past, when we needed to be as light as possible to run away from a sabre tooth tiger. Our bodies still react in the same way today, but we are rarely in life-and-death situations, so our body responses are less helpful.

I went through a long time where I would panic that I was going to be sick, which would make me nauseous, and then I’d panic, and it would go around in circles. My mum is similar. Fear of vomiting is also an actual phobia- Emetophobia.

I also have OCD. Becoming obsessed about something like needing to repeatedly wash your hands to prevent contamination is a common type of OCD. It involves feeling anxious about something, and then doing a compulsion (washing your hands), even if it makes little sense. You can never be 100% sure that you’re ‘safe’, so you feel like you need to do it again and again. There is OCD specific treatment that is really helpful.

There is a podcast series called Your Anxiety Toolkit by Kimberley Quinlan. She’s an Australian anxiety and OCD specialist based in the US. She’s great. Maybe check it out.

I hope that helps a little. You’re very brave for facing this. I regret not getting help earlier than I did, so please keep reaching out.

Take care,

Alexlisa

[Alexlisa]

Sorry I just reread my message and realised it might have sounded like I was saying the podcast is a type of treatment. It’s not, it’s just a good resource for info and tips.

I think seeing a psychologist is most important because they’ll know the best treatment. I know for me it’s been a life-changer.

[Jill_G]

Hi Kiah lve been struggling with anxiety for the last few months and have just about dry reached every morning with it...lm now unable to work due to the anxiety its awful.how did u get overctge vomiting

[Jill_G]

Hi there...l currently started on meds recently. ..how long until.they nake a difference. ..lm ferling a bit nauseous so tske anti nausea tablet if needed....first time on meds but l need to get this anxiety abd dry reaching under control