Emetophobia help?!
Question: So I have emetophobia. (Emetophobia is a fear of vomiting. Long story short, if I see someone throw up I have a panic attack. It's not fun.) I'm also fourteen, and it causes oh-so many problems for me. I'm not going to Six Flags with my class, like every 8th grade graduating class does at our school just because of that. I've already decided, I'm never going to stay in a dorm at college because of college partying (my dad says that people in college always puke.) and I'm never going to have children because of morning sickness, and dealing with sick kids.
See, to get to the point, I can't keep restricting myself because of a stupid phobia. I just can't. It's stupid and people don't understand why I don't allow myself to do so many things so I kind of weird them out. I hate it. Please, does anyone know how to make myself better, at least a little bit?
Answers: So I have emetophobia. (Emetophobia is a fear of vomiting. Long story short, if I see someone throw up I have a panic attack. It's not fun.) I'm also fourteen, and it causes oh-so many problems for me. I'm not going to Six Flags with my class, like every 8th grade graduating class does at our school just because of that. I've already decided, I'm never going to stay in a dorm at college because of college partying (my dad says that people in college always puke.) and I'm never going to have children because of morning sickness, and dealing with sick kids.
See, to get to the point, I can't keep restricting myself because of a stupid phobia. I just can't. It's stupid and people don't understand why I don't allow myself to do so many things so I kind of weird them out. I hate it. Please, does anyone know how to make myself better, at least a little bit?
When I was in elementary school, even up to junior high, I had the same phobia. To this day, I recall just about every encounter I had with vomit or vomiting when I was that age just because, to me, it was so traumatic. I too would avoid certain activities because of the fear that I may get sick or see somebody throw-up. I really sucks, doesn't it? I also suffer from panic attacks. They are no fun, are they?
First of all, realize you do have powers over your fears. It may not feel like it, but you control your brain, and you can control your thoughts.
Many people grow out of this fear. In the meantime you can speed this process along by seeking some therapy, maybe start with your family doctor. You seem intelligent and aware that it is (like most phobias) inane, so talk about it, accept it, sarcastically joke about it. This will help you make the bridge between intellectually knowing it is really a silly thing to truly feeling how ridiculous it can be. Acknowledge that everybody vomits; you vomit, there is no getting around it. Vomiting is a normal and healthy reaction to deal with stress. Yucky as it may be, it's not going to hurt you.
Don't stop yourself from doing things. Weigh possibilities against probabilities. If you go to an amusement park, will you see somebody puke? Perhaps, but, probably not. If somebody vomits, you can cognitively override your fear and think, "so what, it's *just* vomit, it's not going to hurt me." If you have a panic attack about it, think, "so what, it's just a panic attack, it's not going to kill me, and I'll get over it, big deal." The panic attack will only last a little while. You can't ever go back and experience the things you've missed! Would you rather have a moment of displeasure, or a long time of regret?
I think that you may need some type of therapy. While its natural to have an aversion to people discharging bodily fluids around you, this sounds a little extreme and is limiting your life. I'm glad you have recognised that this is restricting you, knowing you need help is the first step. You definitely should find a qualified and accredited psychotherapist and look at your options from there. Fourteen is a long way from college and having kids, so just focus on the present and maybe with specialist help you'll even be able go to six flags. good luck!
Hi iam 57 yrs old & i have the same exact thing .i didn't
know ther was a name for it . i've had ever since i can rember.
if i get an ill feeling in my belly ,instant anxity & panic, bad
i would rather have a heartattck .i wish you all the luck .i know
what you'er going through. let's see what pople say about it.
I do understand. This can be a very debilitating phobia although lots of people do not understand it.
I know a child in the school where I work who has this phobia. He has a panic attack if he even thinks that he or someone else around him is going to be sick and he has to be taken home immediately.
I think Cognitive Behaviour Therapy would be your best bet. Talk to your doctor and see if he can refer you to someone who practises CBT. They could help you to change how you think ("Cognitive") and what you do ("Behaviour)". These changes can help you to feel better. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, it focuses on the "here and now" problems and difficulties. Instead of focussing on the causes of your distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve your state of mind now.
It has been found to be helpful in the treatment of phobias.
Do try and seek help because you cannot live the rest of your life under such a strain. As you are young the prognosis is better if you get the help you need before you are much older.
I do wish you all the best in the future and hope you go on to live a happy and fulfilled life.
more therapy can help