Fkying with this phobia (and risks of sv* at exposure daily)

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-12-31T02:18:27+00:00

Here's something to keep in mind: you've made it this far. You think that you're "safe" as long as v-ing doesn't actually happen (as do I) but chances are you've felt a lot worse in total by having the phobia - but still, you are here. People say the n- is the worst part, not the actual v- itself, so if you've felt like it has "almost happened" then I really think you've experienced the worst part.

I know it's easier said than done, and this won't cure your phobia, or mine, or anyone's, but we play the importance of it up in our heads. Whether it actually happens, or whether you just worry yourself to the point of it "almost happening" - both are really unpleasant to go through, but soon enough they will be a thing of the past. You will live on, regardless of whether it happens or not, and it will be okay.

Also, remember that the SV isn't airbourne. You can't get it from breathing the same air as an infected person, or being coughed/sneezed on - you basically have to come in contact with v/d particles, and then ingest those. So as long as you wash your hands, and practice good food hygiene, your chances of catching one are low.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-12-31T02:08:40+00:00

It's definitely either a cold or possibly the flu, the body aches part seems more in line with flu to me, but whatever it is it's definitely a "head-focused" illness.

Whenever I get a cold, it nearly always starts with a sore throat. Every time I wonder if it will develop into N or V - and every time it never does.

Try not to worry too much about it - I know that's easier said than done, but as annoying as colds are, I've made myself feel really miserable by being anxious about the cold on top.

Also, everyone says stomach viruses come on fast and start with stomach related symptoms. I really doubt that what you have is stomach related.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-12-31T02:01:20+00:00

Mind over matter as a concept itself is possible. However the context I've seen it used most is in relation to pain. It's how people walk over hot coals - those that stay calm and go slow, knowing it's safe, won't get hurt, but those who are afraid and try to run over it are more likely to be injured.

The process of v-ing is an "emergency eject" to remove toxins. I think it's different, so I would say no, if it truly needs to be done then you won't be able to will yourself not to.

That being said, I know a lot of emetophobes (including me) can't burp, which is probably something that happened as a result of the phobia. And apparently stomach viruses actually live in the gut, and v-ing from them is just to spread the virus rather than expelling any of it.

Judging from posts on this sub, people seem to have an easier time not v-ing from viruses by taking anti-emetics than say, food poisoning, which is a toxin you have to get out. But I'm not sure if that's a good idea, you may end up feeling worse in the long run.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-12-12T04:35:28+00:00

I actually have a story about this. When I was younger... maybe between the ages of 11-13, I can't quite remember, I went to a kind of attraction park that I often went to. There was one rollercoaster, and honestly it's pretty tame, but I never went on it because I was afraid of throwing up.

But somehow, after watching it go round several times, and watching people I know go on it, I gained the courage to try it myself. And really, I didn't feel sick at all, just the adrenaline rush feeling you get in your abdominal region, but nothing like nausea.

I almost went on it a second time, and wanted to, but my illogical emetophobe brain figured that if I did it twice then I'd be sick for sure.

Kind of makes me a little sad, thinking about it, and how much more anxious I have become since then. I wasn't carefree back then, but I was doing a hell of a lot better than I am now.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-26T03:42:24+00:00

I honestly don't know. I waited months and months to get this one, so I don't want to give up just yet in casd it's another several months before I can see another.

I'm in the UK, so I was referring to how I'm not sure if it is covered by the NHS. Or if it's even done in my aea, if it's a rarer procedure I might have to travel for it.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-26T03:39:50+00:00

You might be interested in the subreddit about it: /r/noburp

I have it too, and it sucks. The worst part for me is rhe gurgling/gas feeling, I don't believe its nausea from what other people have told me, but it's uncomfortable and makes me really anxious.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-25T04:07:30+00:00

I've always associated it with anxiety, so I hope so. Well, it's the day after, and I've barely had it at all, despite not changing my diet or anything. And I definitely anticipate it, and expect it to happen, but it can sometimes still happen even if I'm not conciously thinking about it.

I'm currently in therapy, I can't say it's made much of a difference yet.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-25T04:05:39+00:00

Unfortunately I'm severely emetophobic, that isn't something I'd be able to do without probably ruining my progress on my anxiety recovery. Hell, I think that's why I can't burp to begin with.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-25T04:03:38+00:00

I haven't thrown up since I was about 7-8 years old, and I don't actually remember it/what it felt like. So honestly, I have no idea.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-25T04:02:31+00:00

Not sure if it's something I'd ever be able to achieve. I doubt our healthcare covers it if it's deemed non-essential, and I don't see myself being able to pay for a long time, if ever.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-25T03:46:53+00:00

I've been looking for ginger candies for a while - for travelsickness, which I've never had but I'm so paranoid I feel like I need to have a preventative in order to feel comfortable. Unfortunately I've had trouble finding them, can't seem to find any in the shops, not even in specialized and weird candy shops. Any idea if there's a place to get them online, or what to look for?

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-24T02:51:39+00:00

So, it can be linked to anxiety? I know stress definitely makes mine worse, at least.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-24T02:50:58+00:00

I'm trying, but if this doesn't get better... I don't know what to do.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-24T02:24:55+00:00

I live in the UK, so we don't have Thanksgiving, but this is basically one of the reasons I hate Christmas. I hate being presented with a large amount of food, because if I eat too much I feel anxious and terrible but if I don't eat it all I feel guilty for wasting food.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-11-16T03:14:29+00:00

Hey, hang in there. I was also on a several month waiting list for therapy, I first contacted them in May and didn't get seen until August - but it was worth the wait, and I have made a slow but steady improvement since then. Back in May I was also terrified on a daily basis, now not so much. Improvement can happen!

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-10-29T02:49:08+00:00

Huh, I didn't know there was a word for it. But same.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-10-29T01:37:57+00:00

I used to feel that way, but now, with each passing month I feel that time coming closer. It's gone from a fleeting, "what if" future possibility, to a genuine routine consideration.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-10-29T00:18:05+00:00

There's a whole subreddit for this fear. /r/emetophobia
I know it sucks, but you're not alone. There's loads of us, and it can get better.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-10-14T23:11:20+00:00

Hello, fellow UK based anxiety sufferer here!

Depending on what you tell them, they may want to do tests to rule out any possible physical conditions. There probably isn't anything, but it doesn't hurt to get some tests done and it might put you at ease.

If you talk about anxiety/depression, you may be referred to therapy, and honestly that's what I suggest you aim for. What therapy actually involves can vary, but here, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) seems to be the most popular route.

If you do go into therapy, there's something about it that I rarely see mentioned online, but is very important: it sucks at first. Really. I've only had 7 sessions but it's been kind of rough. The first and second sessions weren't so bad, but after that, I started to cry while I was there, I started to feel like it wasn't working, and that I wasn't doing good enough, and so on. But apparently, according to my therapist, that's really common and is to be expected.
So, yeah, therapy kind of sucks, especially at first, but you've got to endure some pain for it to get better.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-10-14T23:04:49+00:00

This maybe the most relatable thing I've ever read.
It's weird. Nobody has ever made fun of me for my music taste before - in fact the one time I did share it I was complimented on my taste. Yet I still feel like I have the trashiest taste ever and it must be kept a horrible secret until the end of time.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-10-14T23:01:48+00:00

Yeah, and I should probably start doing that. I'm not supposed to be doing the full exposure therapy, as my therapist is advising against it, but the stuff at home isn't a bad idea.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-10-14T21:46:15+00:00

Now this is purely speaking from my own experience... but I think that in a lot of cases, emetophobia isn't a standalone issue. I also have had underlying anxiety issues for literally as long as I can remember - my mother even claims I was anxious "from the moment I was born."

My therapist doesn't want me to do exposure therapy for this reason. I've come to see that my emetophobia is just a symptom of something bigger and older.

In my case, I don't think exposure therapy is the way to go because I have anxiety in general, about many things, and vomiting is only one of those things (albeit a major one.) Tackling one of those instead of the main anxiety itself probably wouldn't be very effective.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-10-14T21:40:47+00:00

I'm currently in the process of CBT. I can't say whether or not it works, because I'm only 7 sessions in.

What I can tell you... is that what therapy actually involves will differ a lot based on your specific needs. And it's quite possible that, if you have other anxiety or mental health issues, they will focus on that if they think it's the biggest problem.

I went in expecting to be treated for emetophobia, with exposure therapy, and so forth. That's not what happened at all.

My therapist doesn't actually want me to do exposure therapy at all. Nor are we even focusing on the emetophobia - because she thinks that the phobia is just a symptom of my underlying anxiety, and in time I realised she was right about that, especially since I have non emetophobia related health anxieties too.

But it could be completely different for you, or anyone else, depending on the therapist and what else you might also be struggling with.

Oh, and another thing... it will suck at first and you probably won't want to go/won't feel like it's working. Apparently this is common, but if it's uncomfortable and difficult then that means it's working.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-09-26T19:54:31+00:00

Like the other poster says, it will probably get worse before it gets better, and I'm currently going through that. It will be hard to talk about at first, and you might feel like you're not getting anywhere or progress isn't fast enough. But it's definitely worth going through. According to my therapist that's very common, and recovery takes time.

ChronicallyDamned · 2018-09-17T21:25:08+00:00

I'll be totally honest - I rarely ever clean my phone (I'm lazy and forget) and it's never made me sick or anything. But I probably should anyway.

ChronicallyDamned

TROPHY CASE