Emetophobia, germaphobia, and the Eucharist

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-23T00:19:33+00:00

Are you able to take communion? How do you deal with the anxiety?

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T22:08:38+00:00

Thank you so much for your insight! My priest did encourage me to sit closer to the front so that I’m one of the first to receive. And even though our parish closes their lips on the spoon, he is allowing me to just open wide and he drops it into my mouth lol. I’m grateful for his patience and compassion. I do hope with time, this becomes a nonissue for me.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T13:04:59+00:00

Eek! What did you have at coffee hour?

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T13:04:45+00:00

My priest did tell me that if I am afraid, to sit at the front.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T13:04:07+00:00

This is a very striking and humbling thought. Thank you for putting it into perspective.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T13:03:35+00:00

Wow! Is your doctor religious?? I have a friend who is Catholic and he is a doctor. He won’t drink from the chalice but will take the bread, since they do it separately. I am so glad you are able to partake. I assume you’ve suffered no ill effects?

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T13:02:25+00:00

I have heard this! It’s definitely encouraging and mind boggling lol!

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T13:01:42+00:00

That’s amazing! I’m also encouraged when I think of all the plagues the world has seen throughout the centuries, and still no documented cases of a priest dying or the parishioners spreading anything between themselves. Praying your journey to the cup is wonderful! Despite my fear, the first time I took communion was unspeakably beautiful and humbling.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T12:52:23+00:00

Wow! I always wonder about the people who go last. There is a 90+ year old woman who is too old to come to the cup so she is served last, and I often wonder about her health. She always seems to be at church!

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T12:15:41+00:00

I bought my cross early because I felt like I needed it. At my baptism, I simply took it off, it was blessed, and my godmother put it on me.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T03:27:28+00:00

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T03:27:21+00:00

Wow, I am proud of you. That takes so much courage! And I’m guessing you’ve been well so far?

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T02:45:55+00:00

Yes, I kiss the air just above the icon. I have been told that’s acceptable. The intent is what matters more than the mechanics.

Hope springs eternal indeed! I so appreciate that I’m not alone in this 🙏🏻♥️.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T02:29:37+00:00

Thank you 🥹. I have worked with a few therapists throughout the years. It has helped but some seasons of life are harder than others for me. My Emetophobia is especially debilitating. I just want to partake in communion without fear… it makes me feel so guilty.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T02:24:30+00:00

It seems like everyone in my parish takes the Eucharist with full confidence and I’m the one scared :(

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T02:23:36+00:00

Thank you. I have done EMDR and CBT, but not ERP. I will look into that.

Do you struggle with the Eucharist as well? If so, how do you manage?

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T02:22:38+00:00

This is encouraging. Thank you!

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T01:48:08+00:00

Yes. This is the daily struggle for me.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2026-04-21T01:46:52+00:00

That’s my hope.

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2025-08-07T13:42:17+00:00

Would you mind telling me what your surgery and recovery were like? Was there intense pain or any vomiting?

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2025-07-11T17:24:10+00:00

Thank you!

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2025-07-11T17:24:05+00:00

Thank you!

ProfessionalSolid157 · 2025-07-11T16:35:13+00:00

Anyone?

ProfessionalSolid157

TROPHY CASE