Search the Community

Hello all, I have severe emetophobia and I've felt nauseous for the last three days. I've had to take antihistamines just to calm down (and because they're also anti-emetics) because I've been having anxiety over this non stop. I feel nauseous when I'm hungry, I feel nauseous after eating, even doing nothing all my thoughts focus on is "you're gonna be sick" even though logically I know I won't be. I also have a lot of gas in my stomach but I can't burp so I'm drinking gaviscon. Last time I threw up was 7 years ago although I gagged quite badly three weeks ago. I was just wondering if anyone has any techniques to get rid of this nausea that's clearly not caused by illness? Ginger and mint help a bit but not a lot. Thank you Jodie

During the latter Spring and entire Summer, I find myself at my most peaceful. Viruses that spread seem to frequent the colder seasons and the holidays/events, which in turn tends to exacerbate the dispersal of those viruses. It's not the trivial colds that frighten me, but the ones that use my emetophobia to bring me to my knees. If someone gets sick, even if it is in an entirely different state on the opposite coast I find myself in a state of panic just by the thought. Lately I have entered a state of introspection that leads me to believe that due to this phobia, among other things, I am a burden to the close few around me. I pushed off seeing my girlfriend of several years by 2 weeks because her household has fell victim to what would clearly immobilize me in both senses. It has planted the thought in my head that she deserves better than someone like me, who would quarantine her for being ill out of pure fear and void of logic. I suppose the purpose of me posting this is to see if others have had similar feelings or situations, or could even offer advice to cope with this madness. It is slowly eating away at me and making life incredibly difficult.

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone has some experience with this and can shed some light. I have an extreme fear of throwing up and will do just about anything to avoid it. Several days ago I was diagnosed with a UTI and prescribed Microbid (an antibiotic) to help with this. I have been unable to take it because a common side effect is nausea. Of course I have been obsessing online reading every review possible about this antibiotic and there is a handful of people who vomit on this medication. I know I need to take my prescription so that the infection doesn't spread to my kidneys but I just can't come to terms with the nausea which will in turn send my anxiety into overdrive. Your experiences and encouragement are GREATLY appreciated.

So I'm new here, this is my first post on any anxiety forum, I've tried joining a few before but never stuck with it after a few days. I just turned 20 about two months ago in January, and lately I've been feeling really depressed, thinking about I wish I was dead though I haven't actually made any attempts on my life. I have been agoraphobic for, I'd say about 10 years but have only been housebound for about six. It started after an incident where I nearly died. Anyway, it started with a fear of highways, and for years I struggled to go on them but I did, my doctor's office and therapist at the time were out of town, however slowly but surely, I lost the ability to "face" the highway, and started existing in town, I started visiting a therapist here but eventually she moved out of town and I couldn't bring myself to follow her though now I wish I had tried. About six years ago there was a power outage during the night that lasted for hours and I have a fear of the dark and after going out to a birthday party, after asking my family to go home multiple times before it got dark, we ended up barely getting home before the sun set. So I lost trust and stopped going out entirely, then when I tried again, it was basically an impossibility. It's now been six years and I can't go much farther than my mailbox without anxiety, and if I go any further than a few houses in either direction past my home, I almost completely break down, it's made worse because I'm emetophobic and as many of you know, anxiety gives you a constant feeling of nausea, and so it's a vicious cycle. My fiance directed me to this website in hopes that talking to others in similar or have been through similar will help me through my recent depressions.

HOW MANY OF THESE DO YOU SAY YES TO?.... You eat out in restaurants very rarely and when doing so you avoid chicken, spicy or unusual cuisines You don't drink or restrict yourself to a glass of wine You don't like pubs or clubs - even to the extent of walking past them You dislike dinner parties, social events and crowded rooms which could lead to anxiety / panic attacks You eat little in public and if so you sit near a door You are very aware of checking sell-by dates You avoid flying and travelling by boat You avoid public transport, preferring to travel by car and driving yourself You feel uncomfortable when visiting a cinema and insist on sitting at the end of a row You avoid pregnancy fearing morning sickness and / or the fear of having a child and not being able to care for it correctly if they were to become sick You avoid anyone with a real or imagined sickness bug - either within their own environment or in public places You ensure that you always carry a bottle of water, mints or chewing gum You are very aware of pavements and check weather forecasts to see when rain is due I thought it was really quite funny that I said yes to every single one, never realised my 'must avoid vomiting at all costs' rituals and habits were so common. Didn't even realise what I had suffered with for over 10 years was a legitimate anxiety related disorder until a year or so ago, and that it was so common. More great info and videos here http://www.emetophobia.com/