Vomiting Phobia

T

tabluvr2001

New member
I know this might sound stupid, but I have this crazy fear of throwing up. I haven't thrown up in about 2 years but still. When I start thinking of it, my stomach just starts turning, I start to feel sick like im going to throw up. I avoid eating sometimes that way I know I won't throw up, which I know its so unhealthy for me. I lost about 15pounds because of my fear, i'm 5'2'' and only 104 pds now. I'm so scared i'm going to come down with the stomach flu or something also. I just start thinking about it out of no where, and I don't know why. If i'm in the store or something and it some reason comes to mind, I start to feel sick, my heart races, I start to get really hot, and just need to get out and get air. I hate living life with such a silly fear such as that. I'm trying to avoid it as much as possible. Any good ideas to avoid throwing up and getting the stomach virus? And does anyone else have this phobia?? :( I feel like an idoit, but I just can't help it at all!! I hope i'm not the only person with this phobia...
 
Hi x3lace,

Don't worry, other people have that phobia too. I actually don't have this problem but one of my really good friends does. We've been friends for a long time and she hasn't thrown up for the past 12 years!!! crazy right? It's really been getting to her lately and she's thinking about seeing a therapist about it to get over her fear. Instead of thinking of ways to avoid throwing up, why don't you try and get over the fear itself? I know you're thinking, yeah right... But, you don't want to live your whole life like this- you should enjoy foods without the fear of what is going to happen if you eat them! Have you told anyone about this fear such as friends, parents, etc? Maybe they can help you? The only thing I can help you with is that it is ALL mental. My friend used to be afraid she was going to get sick and then she would get so scared/nervous that she would actually make herself sick! I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone and i bet many people share this fear- I wish I could be of some more help.

Good luck :)
 
I have situational anxiety. I have not thrown up in over ten years but I can certainly relate to what you are feeling.

I reasoned out for myself about what it is about vomiting that terrified me so much. There is the sensation of it coming through your nose, the worry that you might get some in your lungs, that you might not be able to catch your breath while it is going on and also the fear of what you might see coming out of your stomach.

I had to take each of these possibilities about throwing up and break them down into what I feared and how likely it is that my fears would manifest during an episode. I thought back on my whole life and what memories I had of previous episodes. I started to rationalize that even though the experience was very uncomfortable (one particularly bad one lasted hours due to food poisoning), I ended up being okay and you will, too.

If you look back on how many times in your life you have vomited due to viruses or food/beverage reactions, you will see that it is probably not very often, and you can rationalize that it is an unlikely occurrence but even if it does happen, you will come out of it okay.

Short of what I have just told you, another option would be to see a professional therapist to help you get over your phobia.

Let me know how it goes!

Lindaru :)
 
I also have a fear of rthrowing up. I'm not one of the lucky ones who has gone years without vomiting, though. I still catch some kind of stomach bug every couple of years. I was in the ER last week when I broke my toe, and there was a little kid who barfed on the floor, and then no one cleaned it up for 45 minutes. I got so panicky, thinking "What if she had a stomach bug? and what if the germs are just floating all over the place and I'm breathing them all in?" And then this kid sitting next to me told his father his stomach hurt, and then he sat really close to me and I actually almost jumped out of my seat. I was totally panicking. I was more worried about the thin chance that I'd catch a stomach bug than I was about the reason I was in the ER.
When I know that the stomach bug is going around, I take extra Vitamin C and Zinc, obsessively wash my hands, and really try to avoid touching other people or touching what other people touch. When someone in my family has it, I try to stay away from home as much as possible until they aren't contagious anymore.
 
Hi,

I feel the same about throwing up aswell. I don't know where mine has come from as i haven't been sick from a stomach virus for 5 years (i do throw up when i get too drunk though). I know its all in my head, but i think about it every day and i can't stop. My boyfriend wasn't well the other day so a packed a bag and went and stayed with my mum for a night. It sounds so stupid cause he just wanted me there but i couldn't go near him as i feared it was a stomach bug cause he had made himself sick. In the end i went back and i haven't been ill so it must have been something else.

I wash my hands all the time and make sure i eat lots of fruit and alot of water. People say that its worse thinking about if your going to be ill than actually being ill.

I just hope i get over this quickly as i would love to start a family one day but the fear of having morning sickness would be too much.
 
I get really grossed out by it also. Everytime I catch the stomach flu (which is rare for me) My biggest concern is throwing up. My advice would be to keep yourself occupied that way you are not thinking about it. Not the best advice but I hoped it helped.
 
Dear Fellow Phobic

You are not alone. I have been phobic since I was 8 (the last time I actually "v'ed ((I hate even saying the word))). I am now 49. Like you, I am embarrassed and feel foolish over this fear of throwing up.
I'm happy to say my panic attacks are less severe in the last 10 years. I owe this to two factors:
1. a councelor opened my eyes to the fact that phobias are a control issue. That concept had never occured to me before and seemed odd, but strangely made sense. In other words, fear is something we are familiar with and therefore comfortable with. We can control our comfort.

2. My Christian faith comes in handy a lot:angel: My Savior has delivered me from extreme jealousy (and saved my marriage!) and therefore I can trust Him with throwing up, though I admit I hold on to it ever so tightly! I pray every morning to be freed from stomach illnesses. Should I feel sick and need to do the "v" word, I pray that He takes the fear out of it. I caught a stomach bug from my son, and sure enough, I was able to go through with it. Ick!

I'm not completely free from fear. I still wash my hands before eating and upon entering my home to avoid germs, avoid certain foods known to become tainted at picnics, etc. and will not go on a boat for fear of motion sickness.
But I will substitute teach in flu season (Lysol in tow) and face my fears with prayer. I couldn't even do that 10 years ago.

My last thought: You have a wonderful life to live. Don't let fear steal it from you! Think, of all the times you are gripped with the fear, how many times has it actually happened?

God bless you and keep you
Dainty ann mick
 
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