Vomiting phobia

[Up_Over]

I can't even believe I am writing this right now.  This is something that I NEVER tell anyone and even writing the words makes me cringe so much.  But anyway, here I go......I have had this phobia on and off probably since childhood (I'm now 43).  It became a severe problem when I had kids.  Since having my first child in 2003, my anxiety levels where constantly raised.  I then had my second child in 2006 and that's when I was diagnosed with anxiety/depression.  After my second child, I lost a great deal of weight and was in a very bad way trying to look after 2 young children.  

I was on medication for 7 years which did help my mood and a little of my anxiety.  I'm now off them and feeling well except when my kids are sick.  As soon as they get a temp or feel unwell, that feeling of dread comes over me.  I can no longer eat, my heart races, my mouth goes dry, I can't think straight and all the 'what if' thoughts bombard my mind.  The fear that they may have gastro or just nausea sends me into almost uncontrolled anxiety.  They are both quite healthy children and not the type to vomit a lot, but knowing that still doesn't ease my mind.  My husband is great with them and will always look after them when he can but I am the one mostly home.

If we are out anywhere, it is even worse.  I have to get them home and it can sometimes look bad leaving a bbq etc early because my child has the sniffles.

I need to know if anyone else suffers from this....feeling alone and weird!

[Raven666]

hey up&over, i'm sorry to hear about your situation. Sounds really bad. But it also sounds very specific. You only panic when it concerns your children which is understandable being a parent and all. I myself am not and have never had that experience but i can understand where your coming from. Your not alone. 

[Neil_1]

Dear Up and Over ( love the name by the way, a nice play of words on the subject )

Welcome to Beyond Blue and thank you for providing your post.

A couple of things stand out when I’ve read your post.  You were on medication for 7 years and you found that they helped you.  However, you’re now not on them and you’ve got a number of fears and issues that are genuine concerns and issues for you.  Yet, you say you’re now off your meds and are feeling well except for …

I’m not sure the last time that you saw your gp, but with all that has been happening for you of late, I would be thinking that a visit to your gp sooner, rather than later would be a good idea.    Now also not quite knowing how long ago you went off your meds is another question to ask, as to see whether that relates to a timing for your current concerns that you have.

It is pleasing however to read that for the most part, your children are healthy and that must be a huge relief for you, despite the feelings that you’re getting.

That is also pleasing to read that your husband is great and when he’s available he’ll be there to help out and assist.  That can be of a great relief.

I hope I’ve managed to say something that was useful and would love to hear back from you.

Kind regards

Neil

[Chris_B]

Hi Up&Over, welcome to the forums. We have a few members here who have experienced fear of vomiting or emetophobia. Have a look through the threads below:

How do I help my partner understand? Will he ever?

Fear of being sick

Not coping

Anyone struggling with food related anxiety?

My anxiety is pulling me down

[yungxrapunxl]

Hi Up&Over,

I suffer from the same sort of thing. I don't have children, but I am terrified if anyone in my family feels sick. I can hardly eat or sleep anymore for fear that I'll get sick or wake up during the night feeling sick. The thought of vomiting or even feeling nauseous sends my anxiety into an uncontrollable downwards spiral.

[Paige11]

I was the same at one point I couldn’t say vomit or even say the word but I tried convincing my self that it isn’t a bad word.

I’m 15 with a fear of committing or seeing someone vomit. I have been like this since I was 4 and at one stage I thought I grew out of it but no I haven’t. Everything I see someone vomit I can’t be in the same class or area as them I have to walk away because all of a sudden my legs shake and just the look of it, it makes me feel sick.

Any time I do feel like I’m going to vomit I try and avoid it as hard as I can. For years I haven’t vomit but now it getting worse.

I have only told my boyfriend and about this even then that was hard and took me a while to do. I had the fear at one stage what happens if I vomit and I never can stop what will happen. what if people laugh at me. When family members got sick I had to cover my ears and ran out side because the thought of hearing the noise or seeing it I couldn’t deal with it.

I know I have to go see someone to get better and to over come this but it so hard to tell someone about this without thinking you would be judged. So I know what your going through well some idea anyway.