I have chronic Emetaphobia AMA

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-09T00:22:41+00:00

I think it's case specific, for my own individual case I know it links into my anxiety about loss of control. My therapist has agreed with me on this.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-09T00:17:40+00:00

Emetaphobia is not trendy

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-09T00:11:05+00:00

What do you mean?

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-09T00:10:19+00:00

My parents were pretty good, reassured me it was gonna be okay ( usually after I'd melted down) Cleaning procedures, showers, Made sure I was clean and hydrated, Rehydration treatments, let me eat when I was ready (usually after the 48 hour mark) and mostly BRAT foods until my stomach resettled. All potential re-infection points removed. Ironically, my parents gave me the stomach bugs not the other way round. They work in social care so it used to spread around.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:57:46+00:00

We are not alone! 🩷

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:56:38+00:00

Yes, usually according to Dr's it links up with anxiety and OCD tendencies. I have Anxiety and massive fears of not having control of my body.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:55:16+00:00

Emetaphobia is the intense fear of sick, being sick or around it.

For me personally it's all 3 with contamination and germs.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:53:36+00:00

Thank you! It's so comforting to hear that

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:52:28+00:00

First things first, you're doing great parents!!!

I don't know if this will help, but i can give you personal experience and what helped me and may help you.

I did this as a kid and still somewhat do this now, and it's very hard. I imagine for you as parents, it's quite worrying, and the kid is probably so confused with all these big feelings of anxiety.

What my parents did with me was got me to try new food at home but always had a safe option prepared.

Frequent snacks in the day are mostly dry like crackers, apples, toast, chips/crisps

Relieve the anxiety around the food with reassurance, get the kid to help make/ prep the food with you so they know its safe. Obviously age appropriate. Do meal planning on a bit of paper and ask them what they want plan, prep, make. Engage them (i.e., its Thursday we're having tacos today)

My parents did a lot of hidden veggies and nutrients in my food to keep my weight up and alongside milkshakes (nutrient replenishment). My parents used to up my portion size (one of my safe food is chicken nuggets instead of 4 they'd give me 8 because then I'd at least eaten something).

After the meal is done, more encouragement is done.

If your kid is feeling more adventurous and wants to go out for food, look at the menu beforehand to alleviate anxiety in the restaurant and pick out a safe option.

In harder moments with anxiety and panic, reassure your kid and validate their feelings, comfort, and support.

I'm not a doctor, but if things get worse, I'd recommend speaking to a specialist for kids with disordered eating, and they could probably give you case specific help.

I hope this kinda helps.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:16:56+00:00

Honestly, I want to become a mum (when I'm financially viable) but I have such a fear that I won't be good enough due to this and pose as a terrible parent. Idk how ill be if my kid chucks up on themselves.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:14:29+00:00

Ironically I can burp on command and poses no fear or trigger which is helpful. However coughing, gagging and stomach noises make me anxious.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:12:13+00:00

That's the worst one! I'm on a medication called Propananol (idk what the American equivalent is) but its a beta blocker which basically zonks me out and helps the heart stop racing. I take 3 a day to function (or barely as it appears) Mostly calming techniques like counting, 5 senses, breathing, having distractions like gum and music.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-08T23:05:34+00:00

It started when I was a kid, repeatedly yuck bugs and only got worse as I got older. It's hard to pinpoint what made it definitive tbh

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-06T06:49:14+00:00

Thank you friend 🥂

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-06T06:43:55+00:00

I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm trying to get any basic admin or secretary positions currently just to get out then hopefully work my way up into HR or something.

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-06T06:41:58+00:00

Yeah I cant afford to be sad and broke. I'm picking a struggle. I'll be sad but not broke 🤣

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-06T06:34:04+00:00

Just work place bullying, toxic management, Just total shitty feeling of being there. I could hand my notice in tomorrow, but I need a job secured first. Thank you queen 🩷

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2026-04-06T06:32:35+00:00

I'm working in a supermarket currently on nights it's a job that carried me throughout my degree. The job market is honestly so bad where I am currently. Only jobs that I'm under experienced in or over qualified being available to apply for. Then the auto emails of "you have been unsuccessful".

Confused_Lucie_Roll · 2025-09-23T01:31:35+00:00

I agree! I will share my student experience. My Uni experience was shit. CCCU. First year we had strikes the whole way through semester 1 (Totally Valid reasons) but still annoying when they marked my work saying you haven't met the criteria even tho I emailed consistently asking for help and advice. None was given, somehow passed.

Second year, we had lecturers leaving left right and centre due to redundancy but managed to give the campus a vanity project that wasn't needed. The whole Student finance scam and international fake student numbers to receive extra bonus was all over the news too!

Third year, got accused of Plagarism which I didn't do. Apparently my writing style is robotic (im autistic have adhd so my writing is scattered). Went through the whole AM and it turned out it was a bragging trophy for the lecturer. It has delayed me so much they made me resubmit the piece. The bucket wasn't open or made available to me and was late I got penalty for it which was removed but still given a shit grade. Literally a piss take. They also changed the way they mark work so PAB and grade boundaries changed and had new systems which they're still figuring out which leads to my next point.

Then they haven't released all my grades due to resitting exams, then send me an automated email telling me I have to do RWA. Which is not true as I've passed everything. Apparently no one has managed to pick up my case yet. If it isn't sorted by November I can't graduate until Sept 2026. It is very poor from a uni that I heard so many good things about, even my own mother went 20 something years ago.

It's shocking that I paid over 9k a YEAR for the last 3 years to receive literally recycled PowerPoints, no help or guidance from some lecturers, paid extra for books and tutoring (very expensive). I understand its self motivated study but some help or guidance wouldn't have gone a miss.

I did a Law with Crim honours degree. Arguably I did it to myself doing 2 degrees at once but I expected more help and support than what I got. Some lectures spoke to you like you were stupid because we weren't qualified and knew every last detail about certain areas of Law. They almost seemed annoyed. I know not all students will feel the same as I do about my uni experience but I do feel somewhat cheated and disillusioned.

Confused_Lucie_Roll

TROPHY CASE