| A
female
,
*mandaprice3
writes: hi have a phobia of being sick both myself and other people i think about it after every meal when i go out anywhere and its really ruining my life i know it sounds rediculous i and will avoid eating.If i dont eat then i cant be sick right.i am having CBT is there any other ways of getting rid of this i have tried hypnotherapy and i live on metoclopramide anti sickness tablets.i have tried to email one of the agony aunts but as i am hopeless on this computer dont know if they have got it or even where to look for the reply duhhhhhh thanks xxx Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, loissxo  +, writes (9 October 2012):
I thought I was alone with this phobia, I'm so glad that there are others with it!! I should really tell someone but I din't dare, my family and friends know I don't like it but they just joke about it and laugh saying I'll grow out of it and its just human nature! My friends tease me by doing gagging noises and I hate it so much I just panic, they don't realise that its an actual phobia! I was at my friends party once and one of them pretending to be sick and ofcourse me and a few of my other friends thought it was real, I was screaming and crying having a panic attack, I ran upstairs, it was horrible and still they don't understand! My mum is ill now and I had a panic attack when I found out and I keep obsessively washing my hands I don't dare go into the toilet and I'm not eating anything even though I am starving hungry, i'm so paranoid about catching it!!! I will eat out but if any food looks strange iin anyway I won't eat and I obsessively check the date on foods if its anywhere near the sell by date I won't touch it!! I won't go on rollercoasters! Even if my dogs or cat is sick I panic and run up stairs! I was shacking even reading all your storys! I don't know why I have this phobia nothing really triggered it! I get Anxiety anyway and get panic attacks easily, I get a lot of panick attacks when riding my horse, but most of the time it is because of sick! I just hope I and all of you can get over it!xxxx
A
female
reader, LyeTheUnknown  +, writes (24 April 2012):
I'm glad i'm not the only one with this problem, although my best friend suffers from it with me, just really not as bad.
I guess it started when I was 8, and i'm 14 now. I can never really talk to anyone about the fear. I'm afraid of getting sick, being sick, and being around people who are sick. I'm also a extremely bad germaphobic and a bit claustrophobic. I hate being around people basically, always washing my hands or carrying germ-x everywhere. And it's really bad for me now since it's the end of the school year and we're testing. And guess what? The rules of the test is: No bathroom, no getting up, no nurse, no laying your head down when done with the test, and no reading or anything else when done. Just sit there! I'm freaking out because the tests begin tomorrow, and somebody has ALREADY gotten sick today during 1st period. It just makes it worse that I suffer from Acid Reflux now, and I always choke on the pill so I don't take it. So I never know when i'm going to get sick, and i'm always feeling bad so I never know when i'm sick or not! It's ridiculous! It's ruining my life. I can't go anywhere. I refuse to ride amuesment park rides, go out in public a lot, use transportation, going out to eat, going to the movies...etc. You can name it. I sit in my room ALL day and ALL night, reading and writing stories. Watching TV and playing video games. I feel like theres soooo much more out there for me, but im petrified to try to even do anything. And I feel sorry for my friends for having to put up with me all the time...My family too.
My mother just dosen't understand. She says the stuff that you'd expect everyone else to say 'Everyones afraid of getting sick, no one likes it, it sucks.' I know that. But I envy them for just 'not liking' it! I wish I could do that! Heck that girl that vomited today just sat down and acted like nothing even happened, while I know for sure i'd be crying and freaking out and asking for my mom to come get me(I got a dad, I'm just more attached to my mom, although i'm a daddys girl). Seeing cartoons vomit on a screen dosen't bother me that much, but I still cringe when I see it. But I can not take seeing actual actor/actresses faking it, i'll get up and walk or run away.
I guess I got these fears when I was 8 and caught the stomach virus. I had caught it after bragging to a couple kids about not having been sick for about 7 years, karma got me the EXACT next morning! I swear to you this. I am scarred for life about bragging about anything. Anyways. I had woken up in a lot of pain, holding tightly onto my stomach kinda pain. I still got dressed for school but whenever I walked in the living room to wait for school time, I laid on the couch, and couldn't force myself back up again. My mom excused me from school and took my sister. My dad still in bed, and me in pain on the couch. A few mintues later, I turned around and vomited all over the floor. I didn't think much about it, so I know the fear didn't start there. I just patiently waited for mom to get home. When she did, she saw, knew I was sick, and cleaned it and told me to take a nap, and so I did. When I woke up, I thought I was feeling a lot better. So my mom asked me if I wanted to go to my friend Matt's play, and I agreed to go(I regret it EVERYday now). Oh my gosh, in the car the pain came back, I was laying down in the back seats, in the same position as I was on the couch. When we got there we went in the little school to watch the play. Oh my goodness...I don't think I can tell you a day i've felt worse than when I had the flu(atleast I didn't get sick with the flu). I was laying my head on the table, sweating, and feeling horrible. The place was crowded and burning up. It was loud and I didn't know what to do. I didn't even notice the play starting or anything. I vomited EVERYWHERE. And everyone was watching me! I was so embarressed and had embarressed Matt and my family members and my familys friends and the strangers around me! I was crying I had ran all the way to the bathroom, getting sick the whole time. My old gym teacher had to clean it up, and he STILL goes to my new school, embarressing right? I was in the bathroom with my mom who had ran after me. I'm crying even now thinking about the memory and the feeling... I was crying and vomiting and not being able to breathe and burning up. I was freaking out, I kept telling my mom I was sorry. I was just too afraid to stand up and get out of the room. If I get sick, I atleast want to be at home, or at a secluded place outside!
There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about that day. Since then, i'm not a morning person. And I mostly sleep my life away outta fear. Don't worry, I still go outside and swim in the pool and walk around the block. Music makes me feel better too. I just...I dunno...now whenever I feel bad in the morning, I keep freaking out silently to myself. Theres been times, when I was having LOADS of fun, and just stand up and leave because I felt even a tiny bit of nauseas. I just can't deal with it. I take any measures not to get sick. From physical harm like pulling my hair or scratching hard enough to draw blood on my body to distract my mind. And whenever I see vomit, I get sick and thats the end of it. If I hear vomit, I get sick and thats the end of it. If I smell vomit, I get sick and thats the end of it. Either that, or I have a mental break down. I thought about therapy, but I know they use exposure therapy for those of us with this problem and...I just can't take that. Even knowing i'd be able to actually live my life, I can't bring myself to even talk to my mom about it. It's too scary, even to think about. I remember times during school I just jumped outta my chair and ran outta the room for some fresh and cold air.
Honestly, if I could change anything about myself...I would honestly be able to look you in the eyes and say "If I could change anything about myself, i'd change everything." with a straight face. I'd change my looks, personality, etc. Because I hate life basically. I just ever wanted to be like my idols (Dahvie Vanity, Hayley from Paramore, Andy Biersack.) But my fears got me too cooped up to even try. I want to dye my hair, put in some colored contacts, and dress up like them. But I can't cause everytime I put on pants for school, instantly I think about how uncomfortable it'd be to get sick in them. So i've become the outcast in my school for always wearing comfortable clothes. I have a group of friends, but i'm too afraid to eat or drink or do anything so we don't ever do anything but have sleep overs and the occasional movie theater trip every now and then....I really do hate my life...why me? I've gotten into such a depression that everything that happens to me, the first thing that comes up is the negatives.
I really wish there was a way to cure this or something.
Thanks for reading my story, it means a lot to have someone listen. I feel a bit better just from talking about it. Thanks again and I hope I helped anybody else, 3. -Nikki (14)
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (8 January 2012): This made me feel so much better, to know there are so many other people with a similar phobia.I am 16 and I have been scared of being sick(vomit) for about 5 years, when I trod in some sick(vomit) in the school loos.Ever since I have been trrified of being sick or going near sick. I hate eating out, and ifi do iv have to be near a toilet it door, I hate enclosed spaces and crowed rooms in case I am sick, I always have to sit at the end of the row at the cinema and in almost every film I have to leave because I think I feel sick. Last year at school I would bunk all assemblies in case I threw up, and I'd constantly have to leave lessons. I hate public transport, particularly buses and boats, and another other day I started crying because I had to use a replacement bus instead of the train becaude I thought I would be sickon the train I have to sit near the toilet. Soon I am going on holiday with the school and I need to fly for the first time and I'm terrified that i'll be sick but I feel embarrassed to tell my friends, and they just jeep trying to reassure me by saying how safe planes are when its not that i'm scared off.And If one of my friends or family is either sick or ill or there is a sickness bug going round i get really panicky and shaky, and I have gone for 3 weeks just drinking water and force feeding myself a slice of dried toast every few days. Even ifi smell sick or here someone cough I can get all shaky and panicky, and I have had to leave lessons because I have panic attacks. If someone throws up I can't go near that spot of groynd for weeks. Even thouvh I am only 16, Iam scated of when I am older andwant kids, the thought of morning sickness scares me andi am worried I will just spend the whole 9 months by a lol. I can't even imagine how some people go hroughprgneancy Qiu the vommiting. And one of my friends has cf, and I always feel so guilty because when shr talks about it to me its not the actual cf that i hate the thought of its the amount of times shes is sick.I am really glad though that I am not the only person who has a fear of sick :)
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (9 April 2011): I have a phobia of being sick :( i'm 19.For me, it all started last year around March time, and I caught a stomach bug and was throwing up threw the night.It was the first time in about 6 years I threw up and I got a phobia from it :( I never use to be so scared of being sick, I now am, i find it weird, i wish i was young again and didnt care.. Now if im starting to feel sick i automatically think ''oh no its the bug again'' (it never is) Im scared of going out incase I catch anything again, im so scared of getting ill it's ruining my life i dont know what to do. I just dont wanna be ill ever again! :( I hate it and it depresses me.What's wrong with me?And also, im scared of being sick infront of anyone, especially my bf (i dont know why :s) being sick is so discusting. I panic when im actually being sick too. Cause i cant breath..i feel like im going to die..i cant stay calm, aurghh i hate this..
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (7 April 2011): i'm fifteen and am just going through my GCSE's and i have this phobia. its more or less controlling my life, i have never in my life been sick (what i can remember) and i'm really struggling with the fear. i'm paranoid that someone in my family is going to be sick and i will catch it.
i can't eat out in case i get food poisoning and if i do i start to have a panic attack or faint. i've had to start a new school since i was missing so much at my old one and its one for students with anxiety ect.
my parents don't really understand and its really dificult to talk to them about it.
i've started CBT and i guess in a way its helping, i'm so relieved to hear that i'm not the only one and i really hope we can all overcome this stupid phobia.....i was thinking about making myself sick so that i can see that it isn't so bad but i'm kinda scared and don't know how to go through with it.
if you have read this i thank you for listening to my problems.
...............................
A
female
reader, Annoynmous +, writes (28 March 2011):
I am 18 and have this phobia!! and i can relate to all of you!!! it is absolutely horrendous! like you guys i would trade my fear with anybody else, however i would not wish this on my worst enemy! Just today i ate breakfast and felt it wasnt digesting and hd a massive panic attack that i was goin to be sick, crying, sweating, shaking violently, i felt like i couldn't breath! and this happens every time i feel like im going to be sick! If i hear of someone that has or had a stomach bug either in my family or at college i dont go near that person or speak to them until its gone! i only eat in restaurants i know the food is okay.. however guys... i do eat takeouts, mcdonalds and drink ALOT when i go out :P for some reason i dont get as scared if i am drunk cos i know it will only be liquid (alcohol) that will come up... (i dont eat before i go out drinking) this really is taking over my life its awful think about it all the time! i am going on holiday in july with my bf my sister and her bf and i am soo scared of getting sick on holiday because its all different food etc (sunstroke)But guys listen to me.. This is how you need to think because i believe this will be the only real cure..1. if u ever feel like ur going to be sick..take deep breaths, calm yourself down and count to 102. how bad is being sick?? not really if u think about it..its over in a second.. its the feeling before hand i understand3. its a couple of days at the most out of ur life where yes its horrible but it wont kill you4. start having tho ''oh what the f*ck'' attitude about it.. it makes you angry yes? well be angry and let it happen5. At the end of the day EVERYBODY pukes at some point and remember..being sick makes you feel better!!!!just live your life..be happy..stop worrying!!!i also think for ppl that have this phobia are never sick :D (touch wood) lol also if u ever feel like your going to be sick ..piece of chewing gum and sipping a glass of water does the trick!!! I do feel for you lot though!! xxxxxx much love xxxxxxx
...............................
A
female
reader, smellybabyface +, writes (23 March 2011):
Hi, I am 18 years old. I can remember 14 years ago when my mum was pregnant with my brother her being sick and me running away. I have always been petrified of being sick and other people being sick. It sounds so stupid though as people say its natural but im sorry stuff coming out of someones mouth with no control over it isnt natural. I got really bad from the age of 14 which led to me having servre anxiety not being able to eat out, not being able to go to school or get out as as soon as i woke up in the morning i felt sick to the moment i went to bed at night. Its horrible and sad to say that a 16 year old used to wish for night to come as sleep was my only get away luckily i got through that stage. I am scared of being on any public transport including planes incase i am sick infront of anyone so i avoid these as much as i can plus i link this with travel sickness haha. I look at people around me and think are they going to be sick do they look sick etc. Since being 17 i have started to manage my anxiety better i can now eat out in public but still worry about if food is cooked properly as you never know you could get food posienning which leads to sick hah. I still live at home so if anyone is sick in my house i go and stay at my boyfriends and if he was to be ill i would have to sleep in a different room. I dont drink alot when out so im not sick and as all tennagers like to do if my friends are sick i have to leave them. Kind of rules what you do all the time . I am now actually in my first yeat studying to be a mental health nurse obviously chosen because i wasnt to work with people with anxiety etc i have seen a person be sick once and heard another be sick but that was with care of the elderly. Hopefully it doesnt happen again. I really want to get over this fear as it rules my life Xxxxx
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (21 March 2011): I can totally sympathize with you i have the same problem. I am terrified of people being sick. So much so if my partner has had a drink either myself or him has to sleep in a different room. I have two kids one at 7 and the other 7 months and i can not even deal with their sick. If they are sick and my partner is not home i have to call my mum to come to my house and deal with it. I have seen myself calling her at 4am to come up to sit with my daughter. I was also doing a nursing course but had to give this up as one of my worst fears was someone being sick and as a student we were always first in line to clean it up. I wont eat anything that could possibly get stuck in my throat if i were to be sick, and if i am unwell i wont eat much for fear of bringing it up. The worst ever was being pregnant. I had really bad sickness both times.Had a few different anti sickness tablets from my doctor to help me. I to though it was just me and everyone always says im mad and its all in my head but i know its not and to an extent it puts holds on my life.
x
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (20 March 2011): Wow, i always thought this was just me, i have the same problem with sick. i always check the date on food and only go to certain resturants i know cook the food properly. I also know how this limits life, i'm only 15 which is the stage of people partying alot and i do drink and get drunk but the moment my stomach starts hurting i stop right away, the amount of partys i have left early because someone said they feel sick or have been sick. i left a party after an hour the other week. my little cousin was sick at mine last year in easter so it was a while ago, but even still i hate being on my own with him. i want to be a musician, i'm in a band doing quite well but of course at venues you get drunk people and i hate it. I got asked to go reading this year with my girlfriend but i said no because of the chance of seeing someone be sick. Right now my mum is upstairs and she said she feels abit sick so i've gone to the other side of the house and have turned my headphones right up. My sister came home drunk one night and was sick i had to leave the house and it was round midnight, but im so happy it's not just me, i used to pretend i liked sick to see if being in denial would help but it just got worse. I also have been sick since 2005. Reading these replys is making me feel better about my fear.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (19 March 2011): To the girl who wants to be a nurse...I am 18 years old, and i am training to be a nurse !! i too have a huge phobia of being sick.. reading all these things are so nice to hear cause everybody at home just thinks im mad ! i dont not eat cause i feel sick i do eat but when i eat late at night i panick im going to be sick. for some reason my phobia seems to be worse at night times, because i know everybody is asleep and i have to stay up feeling sick on my own . i am only in my first 6 months at university and have not as of yet seen any sick. I have wanted to be a nurse for ages now and i am so worried that the first time i see sick that i will end up quitting, which i really dont want to do as my grades so far have been great and i really love it. i thought my phobia was just something in my head and that i was going mad or had mental problems honestly i didnt know what to do about it. i dont ever drink when i go out because i am so paranoid i will be sick. and just like most of you other readers i myself havent been sick for ages. so strange. Anyway thanks for making me realise it isn't just me! \:)
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (17 March 2011): Oh my god its kind of a relief to know were not the only ones. Im exactly the same!
It really does suck on how it limits life certain foods worrying about food poisoning scared to even have a beer.
Can i just say i love all you GUYS! and totally respect your phobia! we should build a class and get togetherr.
I always hated being sick but as i got older the phobia developed worse! im going to doctors to have couple appointments hopefully tackle and not be on my mind everyday!
thanks guys x
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (9 March 2011): I've read a few of these and have realised that all of us are female! I've had this phobia since I was little, i can't remember an age. I don't think there are any reasons for it, apart from the fact that I used to cry when i was sick when i was younger, and i once spent a night in hospital because i was sick so many times and my parents got worried. If i see someone being sick then i won't be able to go near them. My boyfriend once told me he feels like he's going to be sick, and i just got up and went for a walk and left other people to deal with him, i feel really bad about it, but he understands that i can't be near people that are being sick.
Also, my friend at school had a day where she kept feeling sick, but was never sick, and my heart was racing, i started sweating and panicking, i'm not as bad as some of the other people on here, i don't have panic attacks or anything like that, but i shake and sweat and my heart starts racing.
Anyway, i want to be a nurse when i'm older (i'm 17 at the moment, so soon have to be deciding about a career and university) and i know that i definately won't be able to do the required time in hospital to be a nurse and pass university (i want to be a GP nurse- less sick, more injections and the sort) The thing is, this is the only thing i've ever wanted to do, i'd love to be a GP nurse! but just can't get over my fear.
I also definitely want children, but will not be able to look after them if they are sick (baby sick is ok for some reason, it's just milk~)
anyway, i'm actually not glad that there are people out there with the same phobia as me, because it's horrible, it's a thing that happens to lots of people every day and we can't put up with it! sorry for the essay and thanks for reading (:
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 March 2011): Hello. ^_^Like the other people had said, I feel understandable more, since some people have the same phobia as me!Thank god I guess, but it's still not a nice feeling. :/ Anyway, i'm 16, and I had this sickness phobia for about 7 years now and to be honest, It's getting worse now.I'm currently doing my GCSE's and sadly, my panic attacks are getting worse, always putting me down and my attendance is getting untidy. It might not be acceptable for me to do further education like Collage/Uni. :CI told my friend about it and all she said was '' Seriously? that's awesome to be honest, I didn't know theres a phobia like that'' I was so angry,and to me, it's not awesome at all, it's more 'Painful' because of my panic attacks, lack of sleep, less socializing, not trying new food ect;. Also, everytime I hear someone being sick, or see, hear about stomach bugs, EVERYTHING something to do with SICKNESSI panic so much, I always think that i'm going to get it. I'm really starting to get worried now, I always go pale and shakey when I do start a panic attack, along with, dry mouth, this tingly feeling in my throat/chin, and yet crying my heart out for help screaming ''HELP ME!'' I always running up too my mum saying ''I'M GOING TOO BE SICK!'' But for some how, she calms me down. However, she can't keeping doing this for me, I need recovery somehow to get over the fear of vomiting. It feels like no one understands me what i've been through.Yes, it sounds rather childish or pathetic, but it's ruining my life, it's starting to take over. :/I'm trying to convince my mum to go the docters, but all she said '' But they would only give you tablets though, and you don't need that, you need to get a life and try and get over it''So I thought to myself, 'Hmm okay, even thought I've been trying for years, but without a doubt, the same, or getting worse'Please, whoever is reading this, I hope that you can understand my agony. It's just destroyed my life completely.Thank you for your time reading about my problems. ^_^ 3
...............................
A
female
reader, katie18 +, writes (28 February 2011):
hi my name is katie dont worry ur not alone i am 30 i have had a sick phobia since i was little. and now i have given it to my ten year old son which makes me hate myself. i worry all day and its worst at nite time i only eat certain foods and i try and control everything my son eats incase he gets food poisioning. it really does ruin ur life cos i am constantly anxious i have tryed a few different treatments but they havent helped plus they are very expensive as some gps dont believe in phobias so they would not refere me on the nhs
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (11 February 2011): You have no idea just how relieved I was to find this website! Ever since I can remember I've been terrified of sick and others getting sick. My phobia is honestly destroying my life. I'm currently 12 years old and if I hear the word sick I freak out. Tonight my little brother felt sick and I freaked out even going as far as leaving my house and running a few blocks away before returning home. All of my friends have no idea why I freak out. When I was on the bus one day I saw some be sick infront of me. If it wasn't for my friend I probably would have gone out of the emergency door. My family doesn't understand why I'm so terrified and to be honest neither do I. I could honestly say I would do anything to cure my phobia. Last week my friend came to school feeling sick and vomited there I cried and screamed. I'm lucky though because my friends are supportive. Another problem is that I can tell when someone feels sick. I spend the day convinced I've caught the 'bug' they had. I get called paranoid and I am. I wish I could be cured.
Good luck everyone xx :) :(
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (10 February 2011): Hey, im 14 and i have a massive, MASSIVE phobia of sick, being sick and seeing other people being sick. yeah, i do admit ive had a day or two off school because theres a sick bug going round but still. none of my friends understand me, in lesson the other week at school, my frend put a 'funny' video of this girl being sick on a rollercoster (sorry for spelling) i actually dont see how thats funny, but they dont have the same problem as us guys :/. My brother came home from his paper-round last week and he told my mum hes just been sick, i quickly shut my door, leaned my head on my wall and started crying and having a panic attack. ANOTHER time.. Shortly after my brother got better, bit embarrassed to say this, but ya dont know who i am so i dont care :L.. i had the squits lol, and my brother was meant to go to collage that day but THANK GOD he didnt cause i ran out my room and screamed 'MUM IM OGNNA BE SICK' and had a pretty bad panic attack but my brother managed to calm me down.. Best way as you all probably know, well, for those who dont, just tell yourslef your not going to be sick and keep saying it until youve calmed yourself down (STAY AWAY from toilets and bowles and buckets if you feel like your gonna be sick, unless your cirtain your actually gonna be sick you should probably stay NEAR), because the more im thinking about it, the more i feel it which makes me want to go home.. and ive already had a letter from my school about my attendance so im not allowed to go home unless the school thinks im ill enough to do so. which is pretty stupid cause people are passing it on. Anyway everytime they announce there is a sick bug going round in school, i automatically think i have it, which makes me get all dizzy and i sometimes lose vision and i actually start to feel sick and my mouth goes numb.. its pretty hard to explain. i dont think ive had any bad experiance of people or myslef being sick in my life, i just seem to have it. i would do anything to get rid of this horrible stupid phobia, im pretty sure anyone would. I know ive said way too much, but thank you for reading, i know people think theyre alone when they have a phobia like this, but when i look here, i no longer feel weird lol. but when im with my friend, i feel alone 24/7 about this cause no one actually has this phobia :/
Thanks for reading guys, best of luck (: x
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (8 February 2011): I don't think I'm as bad as anyone on here, but I've had so many terrible experiences, the ones I can remember are:
Coming back from my cousin's house and running around bare foot when I was about 6/7 and throwing up the next day.
Having the worst bug when I was 7, not being able to eat a thing, if I did I'd be sick. I had to stay for a night at the hospital, and it was honestly traumatizing. When I came back, my brother had thrown up too, I was crying my eyes out cos I felt so sorry for him.
Throwing up at the emergency section at the doctors, when I was 7. Spaghetti everywhere. I was trying to make it to the toilets, but before I could hold it in, I found a bin at the waiting room and had no choice but to use that.
Oh, and at school. On my chair. In front of EVERYONE.
The thing I find strange is that they were all when I lived in Gran Canaria, and as soon as I moved back to England, I hadn't had an experience like that until last year. It was terrifying, but not so bad once it was over. That's the only time I've thrown up in England (except for the baby sick) and I've lived in England for almost 9 years. Once when my brother was sick, I had a panic attack, I was crying, convinced I was going to be sick myself, and couldn't sleep for months. Everytime he coughed at night I would be up like a shot, and crying some more. I'm still like that, once he felt sick and I was praying with tears in my eyes.
I'm really glad that I know that other people have this too. 3
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (27 January 2011): Hey, I am 18 years old and 26 weeks pregnant, i have had a sick phobia since i was 12, that got worse then gradually better, now worse than ever since having severe food poisening during the 9th week of my pregnancy. Luckily i was fortunate enough to sale through early pregnancy with no morning sickness, jst slight nausea. My phobia is of being sick, the feeling before being sick, being out of control, and other people being sick. I get a woosy tummy if i see sick on tv but not to bad coz i know its not real, however, if i see or here anybody being sick in public i will get flashbacks of it and wont eat or sleep properly for days and i will cry alot, if i go to places such as, fairgrounds, hospitals, doctors, partys etc.. i will be constantly alert and looking at people jst to see if anyone will be sick, if so then i have to leave or move and i will get a tummy ache. As for my eating, i will not eat out in restraunts of fast food outlets, i will only eat my own cooking and even then i still worry, i usually avoid dealing with raw meat, the only time i dont worry is when i eat foods like crisps, biscuits bread etc.. If i here there is a tummy bug going around i will panick and just get a tummy ache and i will worry after going in public places and i ALWAYS use hand sanitiser before eating anything. I suffer from panic attacks especially if i feel something ive eaten isnt safe. I will shake uncontrolably, my face sweats i get shivery, usually give myslef dihoreah, feal unexplainable fear and discomfort, and usually jst cry and sometimes faint. Its usually worse at night if its dark or if im on my own. I avoid antibiotics if i can, and if i have to take then i will be worried the whole time and wont eat properly. My phobia affetcs me everyday and everynight, its starting to take over my life, i worry about it everyday and its embarassing and i miss out on so much, it hurts to know that when i have my baby i may not be able to help her when she is sick.
Thankyou for listening! I hope my story can be any help
x
...............................
A
female
reader, laura1984 +, writes (24 January 2011):
Hi there.
Im 26 and ive had phobia of being sick or somebody else being sick for as long as i can remember...
Its a little better than it was as i dont avoid goin out ect, But its still bad.. I dont cook for myself case it is'nt cooked and will only if its things i know i wont get sick by eating..I dont eat out realy and when i do i stick to pizza's and chips..things u cant get ill from realy..even when people cook me things like (meat) if i think its not cooked i wont eat it..id rather be rude and not touch it! When ever someones ill i get cold shakey sweats,panic,a complete reck to be honest! When my partners ill i cant help him..i have to stay away and sleep in a diffrent room, I cant watch people being sick on the tv..when i was younger i did get help but its come bk..i panic if i wake with a stomach ache.i dont sleep all nite..i love kids but know i wont be able to be there when there ill..i make sure i wash my hands and dont touch door handles in public ect from getting bugs. Its from a younge age of seeing alot of vomit..wud rather not go into detail..I wish i could get help cos it recks my life! But i hav'nt go the money to pay for treatment cos im guessing your talking £1000..
Im glad im not alone!! :) and thanks for reading :)
...............................
A
female
reader, Shaz22 +, writes (18 January 2011):
I knew I wasnt the only one, but feels like it when I dont know anyone personally with this phobia. I feel so guilty alot of time, not being able to be there for friends wen there sick. My boyfriend ended up being sick and I couldnt go near him after that! I forced myself to thou, even thou he knows I did, now I feel horrible and guilty and wish I could be there for him if it happens again, but I know I wont. Wish some body can help me right now.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 December 2010): I'm so glad I've found this site. I thought I was the only one..
I've had the fear ever since I can remember, but it's definitely got progressively worse through my life. I'm 16 now, about the age where my friends start drinking, and I never drink alcohol or go to parties for fear of seeing someone throw up. I swear there's not an hour that goes by that I don't think about my phoebia, and often I can't get to sleep at night due to thinking about it.
My friends think I'm crazy, I guess you can't really understand unless you have it yourself - my best friend Hira is very kind and always comforts me whenever I'm scared, she can read the signs in me now like I can read the signs in someone else feeling sick. If someone so much as coughs in a certain way, or looks a little off, I'll be uber-alert and won't stop looking at them; I'll keep checking on their status. And now, whenever Hira sees me looking wide-eyed and pale like this, she comforts me. But she often asks what is it that scares me so much.. it's just a natural process to go through. Obviously I can't explain.
I used to be confused about why it scared me so much, why, if I see vomit, I'd start shaking and crying and not be able to think about anything else for the next few months.. then I realised it was a phoebia. Now all my friends know - which is good in a way, 'cos it always warns me. Another plus side with being so alert is that I hardly ever see anyone throw up anymore - I haven't for at least 3 years - because I'm always able to avoid them. My ears can even pick out the word "sick" from across a crowded, noisy hall. But even if I just hear that someone has been sick somewhere around the school, tears will come to my eyes and I'll have to swallow down a choking fear. Then I'll avoid wherever it's happened for the next, I don't know, year?
It's all-consumning, this phoebia, and I hate it. Hira does too. I can't travel on a plane with her family because her little sister is often sick on planes. I wouldn't even be able to sit half a plane away, with my fingers in my ears the entire time. I'd be too scared.
The fear affects me in so many different ways, and I don't know how I can stop it. It definitely helps to not be alone, to have someone beside you who at least tries to understand and sympathise. Even when I'm watching a movie, I'll have to ask someone who's already seen it (if noone has, I'll ask on youtube) whether anyone's sick in it.
And if someone granted me three wishes, the first would be to rid myself of this phoebia.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 December 2010): I have a Phobia of being, "sick". I started when i was very young. My dad was very loud when he was sick which made me very scard.
My dad worked as a Pig farmer and every year we would do our yearly hoilday to north devon. Not having a mum around dad had to sort the pigs out, pack all our things we would need for our hoilday tidy the house, he would do this all though the night. By the time we got to the caravan and setteled in dad would always be sick and just stay in his little room. while me and my younger sister watched tv. I remember one year it was raining and my dad being sick and i just cryed outside the caravan in the rain.
After many years my dad gave up the pig farming and delevoped hoilday cottages and stoped being sick on hoildays but the damage is already done!!
I can't stand anybody in my family being sick and cry when i'm sick.
I'm now 22 years old and still have the phobia. I'm a mum of 2 Zoe my oldest is 5 and is at school and my youngest is 1 year. If my children get ill i can't look after them. I will ask my dad to look after them. I won't eat for days if they are unwell. and the same goes with my partner if he is ill and asks for help i just can't i so scard. I just go downstairs and sleep on our sofa.
I suffer form panick attacks even if i just have a tummy pain i panick and think i'm going to be sick.
I have been to the doctors about it now i want help so i can look after my lovely famaily when they are ill.
My doctor was givin me advice how to calm down when i;m having a panick attacks and going to get me to see someone in the new year.
I'm glad i'm not the only one in world who has this problem.
Thank you of listening to me and my story. Kate x
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (16 December 2010): I have the same phobia as everyone on this website it also started at a young also my mum as it .i have just read through other websites on it and was wondering if anyone as tryed the nlp approach this problem as was thinking this was maybe my next step
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (8 December 2010): i have the same problme as you i have kind of helped it by no thinking about it
...............................
A
female
reader, SickFear +, writes (27 October 2010):
I am 11 and havent been sick since i was 7, it makes me feel ill when people say that so and so has been sick or so and so isnt coming to school today coz she has a D&V bug. I'm getting a little bit better because i have a very good appetite, and i occationly chew my fingers without realising but after i go out in public i wash my hands very well. i think it is slightly getting out of hand, does anyone have the same as me? please reply I feel alone with this illness!! xx
...............................
A
female
reader, stroppytart +, writes (22 September 2010):
i also have a phobia of sick.
i can remember occasions at school where people have been sick and i was able to force myself to stay in the same room as them, but i have far more memories of avoiding toilets just incase, or avoiding school if there was a sick bug going around.
im not sure how it is for other people, but if i even hear so much as someone coughing in a toilet i start shaking, feel out of breath, cry etc . ive even slept outside in the pouring rain in winter because my family had a sick bug and i didnt want to get it. i cant be sick on my own, and the thought of sticking my head down a toilet to be sick just makes the situation worse, so im afraid i opt for the floor or possibly a bucket! how is that aspect for others?
the main part of the phobia that has seemed to get worse for me is being on my own. i wont eat a great deal when my boyfriend is at work incase it makes me sick, and i go through fits and spurts of urging in the morning. like he started a new job this week having been unemployed for a few months. the first morning he went to work i was nervous, shaky and stuck in a real bad place in my head. this morning i had to fight the urge to urge as i didnt want to upset him, or to actually throw up and im not sure why i urge in the morning sometimes. does anyone else get this when their phobia gets really bad?
like others i dont tend to eat out, again incase of food poisoning. if i do go out down town, i take 2 packs of polos with me (i get through around a pack and a half of polos a day- thats a good day- as i misguidedly believe they will stop me from being sick), i drink plenty of water and wil not go to the toilets past midnight (in my head people generally arent sick before midnight!) but if someone is sick even if ive only just arrived i go straight home.
another habbit ive developed is to mainly eat 'dry' food when im feeling shaky such as crisps and digestive biscuits as i believe that 'wet' food such as yoghurts wil make me sick.
sorry to ramble and i hop what ive said makes sense.
if anyone has had any successful treatment please let me know! id love to try it
:D
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (12 August 2010): hi i cant believe there are so many people like me! i dont know when my fear of sick ,bugs and illness came about but i can remember being obsessed with it at primary school, and if one of my friends become sick id have to look at it and then watch them carefully throughout the day and make sure they werent to close to me. im 24 now and i have 2 children and my biggest fear is that my daughter who is 5 will bring a bug home with her, at least with my son i can control who he sees and what he comes in contact with, im dreading the day he starts nursery :(
ive been thinkin about goin to the doctors about it but i really dont belive they could help me! i try to think rationally but it just overtakes, for example if a family member tells me they have been sick i have a long thought process of when did i last see them, if its been less than about 3 days then i go paniky, shakey and actually feel sicky instantly somethimes it starts me ibs off an that can be confused with a tummy bug, all i like to do is go to sleep then im not thinkin about it but then i worry that what if i wake up in the night feelin sick. i worry when my kids wake up in the night, and when they are actually ill im a nervous reck and just cry. i will avoid eating for days incase i get it.
i am a qualified teaching assistant but obviously with my phobia i cant bring myself to actually go for it as ive bin told you catch everything goin and this scares the hell out of me. i dont know what to do and hope it will go away on its own!
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (11 August 2010): i'm so glad someone else has it. everyday i have that same fear i get all panicky because i think it's going to put a downer on my future. i really want to know waht can help
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (11 August 2010): omg! it's so nice to know people understand, we're not the only ones. i got this phobia when i was little, my dad has the phobia, and i choked on something and he panicked and shouted and you knowww.. basically what im like now, well i don't shout but yes :L i was about 2? i'm 14 now and since then, whenever someone is sick, or says they feel sick. i go shaky, have panic attacks and just generally freaak out. my mum said i go paler than the person who is sick!
many times in primary school, loads of kids would through up and i would have to get taken out the room. or sit there hiding myself shaking and shivering. i'm not as bad anymore seeing other people because i gotten used to watching tv shows like jackass.. but even still! if i hear someone cough i freak out and jump. i don't like it but i've gotten used to going to parties and once i stop being on edge, i see the signs of when someone will throw up because they go all tired. i just stay clear. but say if my friend got a bug, i will NOT go near them because im scared i'll catch it. even if my other friend went to their house and then to mine, i would panic, not let them breathe on me!!
i also have a long history of anxiety problems and i have chronic fatigue. doesn't help that i have to go to hospital alot but im getting used to it!
it feels really good to write about it. it releives my stress for a bit, talking about everything rather than holding all your worries in helps, so just rant on and on to your family and friends when you get anxious. OH and one last thing that i thought that helps, if you're like me and get anxiety and your stomach tightens.. (then you think it's because you're gonna be sick) hold a hot water bottle.. doesn't even have to be hot. or maybe a pillow to it, just pressure will help it soothe, then think to yourself to loosen up and breathe, it helps!!
good luck everyoneeeeeee 3
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (30 July 2010): Glad to see that it is not only me that has this phobia, My phobia started when i was 5 years old my brother was such a sicky child and i think this is where my phobia first began, my phobia is getting worse that i used to work as a barmaid and every time someone cough i thought they were going to be sick. i now gave up my job of being a barmaid and work else where. i cant sleep at weekends for the fear that someone will be sick outside my house. i dont have a social life for this fear and ive had enough now. i was glad when i found this site because i feel that i cant talk to my friends or family and ive lost a lot of my mates because i wont go out to the pubs or clubs. i wont even go out for a meal. i have spoken to the doctor but he wasnt much help.
Please help
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (11 June 2010): I actually can't believe that so many people suffer with this phobia. I actually believed that I was the only one!
I'm 16 and I have had this fear of being sick since year 4. I don't know what started it off, but I get so petrified of anybody being sick around me, or being sick myself.
It isn't as bad as it was, but some nights i sit up just thinking about it, and making myself feel worse.
I also try to avoid parties, as i'm scared someone might be sick, and I refuse to drink alcohol because i'm too scared it will make me sick. Its completely taken over my life.
I won't eat chicken out in case it isn't cooked properly, and it got to the point where my parents actually had to pull me off of the door frames to get me out of the house to school.
I wish I could just make it go away!
Although I know that it never will!
...............................
A
female
reader, mellieweld +, writes (4 June 2010):
All what has been discussed here sounds wholly familiar...I have experienced everything! I have had this horrible phobia since I was 6 and I'm now 34. I have not been sick since I had mumps when I was around 5! I cannot go out for a meal without thinking I'm going to be sick and many evenings out have been ruined by having to 'escape'! A few years ago I desp wanted to train to be a midwife and I knew I had to deal with this sickness thing, so I had hypnotherapy, which de-compartmentalised my memories and put the thing that caused the phobia into the back of my mind making it less real. I qualified as a midwife last year and I even hold vomit bowls for sicky patients! I still can't bear other people being sick and avoid ill people and feeling sick myself is just horrific!
Don't you just hate it when people complain about having a phobia of something, when really the offending item just causes a little anxiety? They should try living with such a debilitating condition which makes them think of sick for hours each and every day!
Thanks guys - it's real good to know there are others out there who suffer this madness!
Mellie xxx
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (23 May 2010): You have an irrational fear, its all linked to anxiety. You need to see a psychologist or therapist and they will offer some course of treatment. Sounds like a pain in the ass I know but its the way out.
...............................
A
female
reader, Georgiaaaaa +, writes (17 May 2010):
THANK GOD AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. i have had the phobia of sick since i was 15.. i was just driving in the car with my sister an i thought i was goin to be sick. and after that my life turned upside down. ii wouldnt go out wouldnt do anything.. my mates all thought i was wierd and stopped hanging about with me as much,. i had a really bad turn where i wouldnt go out the house.. and all i would do is drink coffee and smoke fags. the doctors sed i had angxity and OCD because i would shower like 15 times a day thinking i had a sickness bug attached to me. it got abit better over the years. but my social life went. i wouldnt travel on any transport. i was really bad. i used to say i would rather die then get a sickness bug. but as i got older ii now travel in cars and planes but nothing else. i still dont go out clubbing. and like to be close to home. but i have got better through challaging myself. i have always felt alone and that no one ever understood. because no one does unless they have it. i have tryed CBT Training and it didnt work for me it made me worsee! and at the moment still waiting on the mental health services to recontact me about trying something differnt but i thyink the best thing is to find someone who wants to help and understand an share it with them. my boyfriend has helped me soo much he got me to travel in cars and planes ( even though he is scared himself) he helped me go places.. if u find someone you trust it makes it easyer ii always think to myself if am going to be sick at least ii no he will look after me. even though it doesnt matter whether he there or not al still panic but ii no at least i wont be alone. also writing it down helps.. i found a comfort in writing it down.. ii never used to eat but now ii eat.. but recently my brother came down with a sickness bug ii thought nooo instant panic !! but tthen i thought his a kid i probably wont get it.. then my mother caught it omg iv never been in such a panic. i wudnt touch anything with my hand.. i used disinfectant hand stuff al the time.. and wudnt eat.. then my sister got it.. then myy grandma and today my dad come down with it.. ii am panicing but ii just keep using my hand gel.. but all people will say to me is if yur gunna get it yur gunna get it.. nothin yah can do it wont kill yah people just dont get doo they ?? thankz for listing.. if anyone wanna talk and stuff just email me.. or add me on msn [email address blocked] cos ii no it aint nice to be alone with this :)
...............................
A
female
reader, vicki25 +, writes (13 March 2010):
 hey..Well i am as suprised as most of you guys when i found this site and i saw that so many young people have this sick phobia.I have had this anxiety issue since i was woken in the night to the awful sound of my little sister being sick! at the age of about 6, i am now 30 and i still have this awful phobia..mine is about other people being sick and more so than not about what i can catch off of them which will then make me sick!!As i have got older i was hoping this phobia would go! i must say im not as paronoid as i was as a teenager, at least now i will go into a night club toilet and chance the fact that i might not hear the awful sound of someone gagging...as i know there is less chance of catching bugs off of drunk people!! or at least that is what i have trained myself to think!! my symptoms are..shaking dry mouth feeling like i need to go loo every 5 minutes..having upset tummy which then leads me to think i have a bug..waking up in the night, worrying why i have woken up and is it because i have a sickness bug...i hate the way i think but it seems to be out of my control, as soon as my panic attack starts thats my lot!!I get these feelings when i go out at night too..im all happy to go out get dressed up but when im on my way i all of a sudden get these awful feelings that i might start to feel sick or someone might be sick near me.My advice to myself and you guys is...try to train your mind into a positive mindset..and when these feelings come on just say to yourself that its only a panic attack...if anyone has any advice to give me to help reduce the obsession with catching a bug then feel free!!!thanks for reading xx
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (10 March 2010): Hey guys
I can't say my fear is as bad as some of you, as in I haven't ever not left the house because of it, but is ruining my social life. I'm 16 at the moment and all of my friends party all the time, I try my best to not go because I always hear stories about how so'n'so threw up. One thing I have found is you can get over it. About 6 months ago my brother and I were both sat In the same room, I turned to look at him, and he just threw up on the floor! I ran out just calling for my mum (haha) but she is worse than me with this fear! So my brother went into the bathroom and recovered. Mum couldn't bring herself to clean up so I plucked up the courage and got down and did it myself. I was very proud of myself. Since that day my fear hasn't been that bad. It's still not good, but I just think this incident helped me. I hope this helps people!
Good to know there are others, none of my friends understand :-(
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (3 March 2010): Hello, cant beleive theres others, thought i was alone because everyone else thinks im crazy, i have this phobia too any one that feels sick, is sick or even talks about it just freaks me out, i cry, shake and even scream i have it that much, im getting better as i am getting older and have been around it alot lately as i do go to alot of parties.I get over it by closing my eyes putting my fingers in my ears and saying lalalalalaaaa... i cant hear anything and im in my own little world i know this isnt really a solution but it helps, i never even knew it had a special word as i never thought of looking it up i knew i had it when i cant move and cry and do my lala thing, im 14 now and my parents think im silly it isnt my fault as it is a phobia. Thanks and goodluckk :)
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (2 March 2010): I have the exact same problem its great to no ur not the only one, mine has got that bad that i dont even leave the house i have panic attaks about it incase im sick, i also hate bein left on my own anywere mine has got that bad its takin over my life,, really wish i could help you with this answer but dont even think iv got the strength to get ovr it my self so sorry to say i cant help, just needed to get it all of my chest
but best of luck with gettin better xx
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (31 December 2009): hi, im 16 and i have had a phobia of sick for like my whole life. i have sop many memories of me being petrified of sick and now ive been feeling sick most days for about 8 months now and im just too scared to go anywhere incase im sick. im taking my GCSES this year but because of this feeling sick and being too scared to go to school incase im sick, my attendance this year is only 40%! The doctors dont know if the sickness is caused by a physical problem or not so im having investigations done but im too scared about that aswell coz i have to have tubes down my throat which make u gag!im even being sedated but im STILL scared! whenever i feel even the slighteset bit sick i hardly eat at all and the doctor said that i am a very low weight. i avoid being near drunk people incase theyre sick, i check the use by dates on EVERYTHING, i always wash my hands, i dont go near people who feel ill... etc etc. i feel like im going mad!!
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 December 2009): omg...so im not the only 1. i went to sleepover yesterday and my m8 was sik on the carpet i was about to throw up wen i heard her being sick evrey1 helped to clean the mess and i
wasnt i felt REALLY bad!!! they said they didnt mind but i did
the best thing to do is to think its something natural and if it doz com along to u it will go the nxt day. if YOU act on it its the best medicine.no point in taking tablets they wont do ANYTHING thx to tht sleepover i overcame my fear easily!!
good luck on it!!
xx
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 December 2009): hi there, i have a phobia of sick to.. ive past out many times when people are sick. i cant sit in restraunts, and in school i try to avoid the toilet. in class if someone says there going to be sick i just run out, i was in an exam 2 weeks ago and a girl was sick i totally blacked out and had to be taken out the exam. i refused to go back in the same room, ive had it my full life, well since i was about a year-2years old when i was at nursery a boy was sick and i physically punched him just for being sick lol. I really hate it because i even wear sick bands to school or take motion sick tablets incase i am sick. my mum also has a sick phobia, but hers is different.. i really hate this its ruining everything. When i was taken to hospital with phnemonia a little girl was sick in the ward and i had to be taken to a private room because i passed out and took a fit thing and i was screaming help and stuff:\ it does sound stupid when you tell other people but they dont understand. im glad im not the only one lol.. TO HELP, I WOULD GO TO CLASSES TO HELP WHEN YOU TAKE PANIC ATTACKS, YOU DO THIS BREATHING METHOD & STUFF, I DONT THINK ITS COSTS ANYTHING BUT I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO GO BECAUSE MY PHOBIA HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND. try and stay calm(i know its really not that easy) but sit with your eyes closed and sing a nice song and fingers in your ears! thats what i do.. but still shake like hell lol, hope this helps xx
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (26 December 2009): Hi i have exsactly the same issue and im the same age (13), i am scared to go on fair ground rides at the moment as my fear of sick has got so bad, i used to be fine but i start to have panick attacks. i dont like this fear because you get my friends and people say they have a phobia of spiders or something like injections but then when it comes to people asking me i say 'sick' they make fun of me laugh at me, they didnt realise how serious it was untile my mate made himself sick in front of me i passed out and had to be taken into hostpital, then they didnt find it so funny.
i hate this phobia and thought i was the only one i dont know why ive been sfraid of sick i just have been since i was 3 .
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (25 December 2009): Hi , i dont know if any one will bother reading this as my age is alot younger then you all seem, (13 years), but ever since i was 3-4 i have had a phobia of people being sick, i know the reason.. me my mum and dad was messing around in the front room and my dad suddenly threw his coffee back up, ever since i have had a hudge fear of being sick.. But latley its gotten worse, whenever i hear someone cough or even mention the word sick i have to go somewere different in a different room or even for a long walk to try and get my mind of it. My little sister has recently been diagnosed with white Pneumonia, and today [christmas] she was a little bit sick upstairs even though i was down stairs i went into a panick mode and me my dad and nan ate are dinner somewere else whilst my mum and sister ate in the front room. Me and my mum talked about this phobia a while ago as this girl puked whilst sitting oppoasite me , noone notice but i heard her cough look and saw the puke i rand to the corner of the room shouted 'She's been sick' burst out in tears and started shakeing. When i went home i cryed again because the thought of it made me nervous, we figured whenever i hear someone cough or see, think, hear someone be sick i have panick attacks. I dont wont to be like this anymore as it is ruining my life, my dad found this site and i was shocked to see that so many people had the same fear as me , i am currently taking my 'GCSE'S' a year early and i cannot conecentrate when i have this thought of sick in my head 24/7. Latley i can hear people coughing and gagging in my head i feel like im going mental, i told my mum about this and she says the thought of it has inprinted in my head, My pearents are becoming more worried and so am i. I am not scared of being sick although i dont like it, i do not avoid eating as i love food :) , when im sick though all i eat is digestive biscuits it helps settle my stomache and i think you should try it if your scared of being sick. I feel that if your sick yourself that its a positive thing i say to myself in my head ' thats me over and done with, just wait for anouther year :)' i havent been sick for about 12 months.
if nyone has any suggestions on what i can do about people being sick which is starting to trigger panick attacks plus i have Asthma.
Thank you for readind ! And sorry for any speeling mistkaes xx
...............................
A
female
reader, Smithalert +, writes (25 December 2009):
Hi , i dont know if any one will bother reading this as my age is alot younger then you all seem, (13 years), but ever since i was 3-4 i have had a phobia of people being sick, i know the reason.. me my mum and dad was messing around in the front room and my dad suddenly threw his coffee back up, ever since i have had a hudge fear of being sick.. But latley its gotten worse, whenever i hear someone cough or even mention the word sick i have to go somewere different in a different room or even for a long walk to try and get my mind of it. My little sister has recently been diagnosed with white Pneumonia, and today [christmas] she was a little bit sick upstairs even though i was down stairs i went into a panick mode and me my dad and nan ate are dinner somewere else whilst my mum and sister ate in the front room. Me and my mum talked about this phobia a while ago as this girl puked whilst sitting oppoasite me , noone notice but i heard her cough look and saw the puke i rand to the corner of the room shouted 'She's been sick' burst out in tears and started shakeing. When i went home i cryed again because the thought of it made me nervous, we figured whenever i hear someone cough or see, think, hear someone be sick i have panick attacks. I dont wont to be like this anymore as it is ruining my life, my dad found this site and i was shocked to see that so many people had the same fear as me , i am currently taking my 'GCSE'S' a year early and i cannot conecentrate when i have this thought of sick in my head 24/7. Latley i can hear people coughing and gagging in my head i feel like im going mental, i told my mum about this and she says the thought of it has inprinted in my head, My pearents are becoming more worried and so am i. I am not scared of being sick although i dont like it, i do not avoid eating as i love food :) , when im sick though all i eat is digestive biscuits it helps settle my stomache and i think you should try it if your scared of being sick. I feel that if your sick yourself that its a positive thing i say to myself in my head ' thats me over and done with, just wait for anouther year :)' i havent been sick for about 12 months.
if nyone has any suggestions on what i can do about people being sick which is starting to trigger panick attacks plus i have Asthma.
Thank you for readind ! And sorry for any speeling mistkaes xx
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (24 November 2009): It is so weird to see soo many people with the same problem, I am 16 and have a fear of being sick for as long as I can remember it is ruining my life but I can not think of any reason for this! Every second of every day all that is on my mind is being sick. I have to be doing something all the time to take my mind of it. Its taken me alot of courage to even look it up as it triggers my thoughts! I cant sleep at night and panic all the time! I hate burping as I feel it will lead to me being sick. I seem to be making myself feel sick by just thinking about it. These feelings can be mild then come on very strong. At the moment im feeling the worse I have ever felt and wish there was a cure. While at work today someone was sent home 'being sick', now thats all thats been on my mind all day I feel as if I have caught something and im going to be ill. When I feel 'sick' I go to many extremes to take my mind of it. I have read that some people are scared of being sick in public places and will need to have toilets located before they go there as they would be embarassed to be sick in front of people, which isnt the case with my problem. I am just terrified of being sick and to see others be sick even someone coughing around me I get panic attacks. Many things can make me feel sick/nervous, like words or phrases even if a certain programme is on. I could write about this problem forever as I have so much say and explain. While writing this I feel as though my problem is quite severe. I have alot of sympathy for everyone who feels this way as its like living a nightmare and noone will ever understand what some of us actually go through! However after reading the asnwers to your question, im planning on looking for help cause there must be something out there. I wish you all well and hope someone finds a cure. Thanks for reading, it feels great to get it out! XXXXXXXXXX
...............................
A
female
reader, panicfever +, writes (22 November 2009):
i know how you feel ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I have the same problem, i freak out when someone tells me they feel sick, or even if they have been sick ...... i also have a problem of actually being sick myself ,,,, i try to stop myself for as long as i can ,,,,, this has been in my life since i think i was 7, when i got food poisoning in Bournemouth at pizza hut,
I am now 14 and it is just ruining my life and i only recently started eating pizza hut pizzas again. And in may 2007 my friend invited me to a party of his to go swimming, have McDonalds and then go and watch a film with popcorn and everything. I got Sick the next day and have never had popcorn or McDonalds’ since :s
Even if i feel the slightest bit ill, i go off in a panic attack and start crying and shaking like hell,,,, i can’t control it. For example my friend told me that someone had been sick in our English class (this was at break) and i walked down that corridor and started shaking the next thing i knew i was crying,,,, i spoke to the teacher and said i could now venture in that classroom,,,,, i stood outside for about 5-10 minutes then she forced me in ,,,, ii was crying and shaking all lesson wondering where the person had been sick ,,,,, i am worried for when i am older and have to live on my own because i cant be sick without my mum rubbing my back :s
And just yesterday i got a cough and by yesterday night i felt sick ,,, i was determined i would not go to slep until i had been sick or the sickness had passed over, i got too tired and i just nodded off to sleep and now everytime i cough i am scared i am gonna be sick sooo i am just chewing gum to sociologically think that it ia going to stop me from being sick ?
I believe this phobia is called emetophobia but personally i think it should be called phonthois-phobia but i don’t know why ,,,, i think i have the phobia of it because i think it is wrong for liquid to come out of your mouth,,,, i also have a phobia of going to the number 2 when you have diarrhoea because i also think it is abnormal to have something liquidly coming out of your butt sorry for the info ?
If you find a cure please reply (: x sorry for the essay ? just expressing my feelings
...............................
A
female
reader, lovergirlxx +, writes (6 November 2009):
 FINALY i have found people who actualy feel the same way as me! x although i know where my phobia came from __ my dad used to force me to watch south park and i believe i got it from there :/ x but i have breakdowns just if i hear people even coughing i start shaking :S x
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (10 October 2009): I am so pleased I have found this website where I now know I am not the only person who feels like this!
I just turned 23 yesterday (9th October) and I have the same problem. I am absolutely terrified at the thought of been sick it makes me cry! I’m not entirely sure how and when it started, but since the age of 7 I have been terrified.
I’m currently training to be a Nurse, I don't necessarily panic when other people are sick, I bring myself to cope with the situation as I am looking after poorly patients, however the thought of myself been sick makes me go funny. I begin to sweat and panic, swallow a lot and the feel dizzy as though I am about to faint at anytime. There’s not a day go by where I think to myself ''I hope I am not sick today'' even though the majority of the time I am fit and healthy.
I have a daughter who will be three in December, fortunately I didn't experience any morning sickness at all, however when I was eight months pregnant I unfortunately caught a D&V bug, I thought I coped brilliant, I cried but I was more concerned about my little girl at the time to worry about myself. I try and think about those thoughts if I ever feel sick to help prevent me from getting worked up, but it never seems to help me. (Probably due to the fact that I am not pregnant!)
I recently went to my GP about this, as I feel it is a big part in my life, and feel that it’s controlling me. The Doctor told me that in his 30+ years as a GP, he has never come across a patient who is so terrified of been sick. He actually refereed me to see a councillor which I am awaiting an appointment for to see if I can have therapy. I really appreciate his help, but speaking to people who have the same phobia I think is a big help as it makes me realise I am not 'alone'. One thing I can say is the Doctor has prescribed me some tablets called 'Cinnarizine' otherwise known as 'Stugeron' they are 15mg tablets that are given to patients who are travel sick or suffer from Vertigo. These have helped me as it relaxes me and makes me a lot calmer the fact that I am in control.
With me training to be a Nurse, my hygiene is always up to scratch, infact I think I wash my hands too much! I have never been one to try different varieties of food, and every time I cook for my partner, my little girl and myself I am always asking him if it’s warm enough, cooked enough etc (he’s a cook so he should know!) I feel as though i come across as a cry baby sometimes but my partner is really supportive and understands totally that what i experience is infact a phobia.
Thankyou for having the time to read this people.
Katie. X
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (1 October 2009): Hello, im so glad i've found you guys! My phobia of bing sick is so bad that the other night i had a really bad stomach ache thought i was going to be sick and i passed out! it's been with me ever since i can remember and it's so bad that i have panic attacks on a daily basis and have even caused myself to have a nervous twich in 1 eye!! me and my husband want to have a baby but im to scared to be pregnant so now we are looking at adopting, im 22 and had hoped that this would pass but if anything it's got worse! i chew at least 1 packet of chewing gum everyday it's like my dummy!! i am just so petrified it's ruining my life am going to the doctors on monday to see if she can help me but i am scared of facing my fear as i dont even like talking about it!
...............................
A
female
reader, xRozebudx +, writes (28 September 2009):
Hello guys, OMG i am sooo glad i found this! already i feel better without any therapy or councelling or special treatment, just knowing that other people have the same phobia as me is huge to me! I dont fear other people being sick as much as myself! i suffer terrible panic attacks, sweating, my heart beating out my chest and before now i have actually prayed to god not to be sick! As a small child i wasn't sick very often at all and i think that is why i now have a major phobia of it! I dont think anyone understands the way it makes me feel, i think about it every single day i was even considering becoming a vegitarian because i know meat that hasn't been cooked properly is the one thing that can make you sick! I refuse to go near anybody that is ill or has a stomach bug incase i catch it! and seeing other people be sick is extremely unpleasent for me also even tho it isnt as bad as the thaught of myself being sick! I dont know what to do about it because i dont believe anything can take it away i think i have to deal with it on my own! Has anybody noticed that when u are actually sick you think ''what was all the panic about'' because it is over in seconds! i am almost scared of being scared becuase i cant hack the feeling! But guys do not worry at all! it is a natural thing and i know most of you on here are young! i am 17 and had this phobia for years and years! But you are your mind! it is all phsycological and will pass! i know we can all get over the fear and learn to deal with it!God bless you all! i know exactly how you feel and it is horrible! p.s like the other comment i think my body now knows i cant hack being sick and cant cope with it so i havnt been sick from a bug or food poisoning for years now!(i have from being drunk hehe but thats not as bad cos its not food) and i hope it stays that way! i know if i could erase one thing from my life it would be being sick! and i know you are all thinking the same! Write back to me and we will have a chat! god bless xxxx
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (22 September 2009): I thought today I'd try and find out what the name is for my phobia and I'm so happy I found this page! I don't mind myself feeling or being sick, but if I see others being sick or saying they are being sick I have to get away from them. I shake and cry and the urge to run away is so strong, and I automatically block my ears and close my eyes. My mum helped me figure out what triggered it, and there was an incident when I was little when my dad had a severe illness and he was violently sick. She'd tried to keep us away but one day I accidentally walked past the bathroom and I saw him being sick that, and since then just the thought of someone being sick leaves me ill for the rest of the day.
...............................
A
female
reader, CarlaL +, writes (14 September 2009):
Hi, i have this too!!! It is really good to hear other peoples stories and fears of other people being sick, all being very similar to mine. I'm 30 and i have a 1 year old daughter, i've had this every since i can remember but dont know why... My daughter picked up a bug last week, luckily my husband was home from work at the time and was able to deal with her, i felt awful because i'm her mum and i wanted to be there for her (remembering when i was younger all i wanted was my mum when i was unwell!!) the next 4 days after she was sick i didn't want to be on my own with her just incase she was sick again, i haven't eaten hardly anything for a week as i've completely losy my appetite since, i cant help but think and remember when she was sick. I've been crying nearly all day today worrying that she might be sick again!! Whenever my husband goes out drinking i'm constantly nagging him about not getting drunk... just incase!! And i try to avoid public transport wherever possible... just incase!! My mum had cancer a few years ago and was in hospital for a few weeks, she was very sick with it (and still can be now sometimes) but i could never be there which i hated. I'm going to the doctors tomorrow in the hope that they will be able to help. None of my family have a clue how it feels and just dont understand.Thinking of you all. xx
...............................
A
female
reader, PinkRobot +, writes (29 May 2009):
I thought I was the only person who had this! I started not being able to be around people if they were ill when I was 4 years old. I started having panic attacks around the time when I was 8 or 9. I'm 13 now and my phobia is wasting my life. Foor example, five years ago, someone was unwell in the swimming baths and I was there. I haven't been swimming since. Not even in another pool. Its horrible because I used to love swimming and have turned down around 5 pool party invitations.
Second is when I was 9 I had a tummy bug and I was unwell after I ate all the time. It was my worst nightmare. So I thought if I stopped eating I would not be unwell. It worked but my weight plumented and I was only 3 and a hallf stone. I graduly started to eat again but I am now on a eating thing with my dietrictain as I still only 4 stone 5 pounds or something.
My phobia is sort of getting worse because of my panic attacks. They can happen anywhere and mostly envolves eating as I petrified I'm going to be unwell if I eat. I can't even say the word sick and I shivering just typing it down. I can't say it or hear anyone else say it and if any one says they feel unwell at school, I have to leave the room. This is hard for me as none of my friends know that I have this phobia or that I have panic attacks so I have to keep 'normal' at school or'll they will find out.
Currently I am at a child peadritian a dietrictian and a couseller but they aren't helping.
I have lived with this for nearly 10 years now and its just horrible. Has anyone got any tips on how I can get a better life through my teens.
...............................
A
female
reader, PinkRobot +, writes (28 May 2009):
Don't worry, your not alone! I have nearly the identical problems to you! It started for me when I was 4 years old! I know, I was very young but if anyone was unwell at nursey, I couldn't look at them for 2 months as it brung back memories. I'm 13 know and suffer from panic attacks. Its ruining my life, for example I used to love swimming but someone was unwell in the pool and I haven't been swimming for 5 years now!
Also I stopped going out because someone was unwell in a shop. Every morning I'd cry and cry not to let my mum take me to school, becase I felt 'unwell'.
My phobia is getting really bad now, I can't even say the word sick. I can't look at it or say it and if anyone says it, I start getting really hot and panicky. I am shivering from just typing it. It also stopped me eating. I only ate a slice of bread and butter every three days for about 3 weeks and lost half a stone. But know I have my safe food, which I can eat without making me feel unwell.
I am seeing a cognative therapist but its not helping my addiction to chewing gum. Every time after a meal I have to have a piece of chewing gum. If not I feel extremely unwell and start panicking!
I wish I could lead a normal life and not chew chewing gum all the time. I can't go to sleepovers or friends house s becaus eI scared I'm going to be unwell.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (3 May 2009): heyywhen i was younger i used to have no problem with people being sick and it didnt bother me in the slightest , then all of a sudden, one day my brother threw up everywhere and i had a massive panic attack and totally freaked out which was rather random. ive learned to control my fear better though, by watching shows liek dirty sanchez where people throw up alot and watching stuff on youtube etc. I can now watch that stuff without flinching but its just in reality where i run away screaming. Hopefully i will get over it eventually because I want to work in medicine when im older, and having emetophobia would just be unprofessional :)xx
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (28 April 2009): Hello , i happen to have this too , when im not doing somthing im worring about my phobia and why i have it , to be honest there is no cure but i have whatched a tv program and now i sertnly know how to get rid of my horrible life distroying phobia , it may be verry hard for us but lets at least try huh ? :( , what we have to do is try and whatch people being sick and the more we whatch them the more we get used to it , im finding this realy hard and i just have to look away , for me its not just looking at people being sick or the feeling of feeling sick ! its pictures aswell , i dont know why we have such wired phobias and just whats the point realy , somtimes i get realy upset and my heartstarts beating like a cheaters legs run and thats fast i tell you ! , on the other hand its good having this because if people are being sick and you are doing somthing you dont want to do you can go away . I have lots of problems with diffrent people sleeping at my house and changes , so it happens to be realy hard for me pluss its kindah hard to discribe , do you know anything else its very cool knowing that its not just me that has this , but it feels like it ! im going to kill myself if i have this all my life .
Yours Rebeccah x
...............................
A
female
reader, georgina.b. +, writes (27 April 2009):
I am now 30 but can't remember when my phobia of seeing other people be sick first started all I know is it dominates my life!!I used to think i was the only one who suffered from this but have snce found it is a very common phobia!For me having to visit a hospital for any reason is a huge no no as i just automatically associate it with people being sick if i absoloutely have to go to one i start to shake as soon as i walk through the door and my heart is just pounding in my chest, the other big thing i fnd hard to deal with is watching T.v again all hospital programmes are a definite no and things like The Bill as I have been caught out on many occassions but when you are sitting there watching eastEnders and all of a sudden someone is sick i just have a complete panic attack i start to shake and then get really angry that this is classed as 'entertainment'! it completely ruins my night because even though it horrifies me to have seen it I then cant get it out of my head and keep replaying it over and over in my mind! i have 3 children and am starting to get better, as babies it didn't bother me that much but as they have got older and obviously started to eat 'real' food i cant deal with their sickness, my poor husband often gets a hysterical phone call at work with me begging him to come home as i cant deal with it! If he is sick i make him feel so bad about it hat im sure he makes himself feel worse by trying his hardest not to actualy be sick.It is very hard not to be able to comfort your child when they are ill but i just cant-it worries me sometimes that if they were choking would i be able to intervene? I just have to convice myself that maternal instinct would overcome my phobia!I have looked this up on the net and it does have a name it is called EMETAPHOBIA but fromwhat i can gather that is more a phobia of being sick yourself which to be honest i dont have that much of a problem with.In recent years ive noticed i cant even watch people brush their teeth and spit the toothpaste out just that whole thing of seeing something come out of someones mouth horrifies me!!I think back to childhood as they say this is what can trigger these things and i remember seeing my mum suffer with bad morning sickness and a man being very unwell at a train station ( actualy makes my blood run cold to recall it)!!sorry to go on and on but its just a relief to get it all out to people who know how i feel!
...............................
A
female
reader, lillii +, writes (4 March 2009):
Hey :)
like what everyone has said - i actually cant belive we have the same phobia.
I have severe panic attacks when someone has been sick or says that they are going to be, or even gagging noises - wether its real or not! I dont know why i have the phobia but ive had it since i was about 4? and im 15 now. Its actually ruining my life. Im too afraid to confront my fear, although i have to really to overcome the phobia. But the thought of this is starting to make me shake! Public tarnsport- especially busses/coaches are a big no for me! I feel safe when i am walking, or in the car in the passengers seat. Any car which dont have doors to the back seat, the ones where you have to climb through the fornt to get in the back, are also a big no too! It sounds so silly according to most people. Ive had so many people make fun of me about this and i avoid telling peope.
I love to socialise especially on friday nights and saturdays most of the time, when it involes drinking a little with mates. But i become so weary of people of they have alcohol with them just in case.
Like what someone said before about themeparks - thats exactly what im like!
Sorry, ive wrote an essay lol :) please reply if you want xxx
...............................
A
female
reader, Gayle-x +, writes (28 February 2009):
I am 17 years old and I have a fear of other people being sick, i've had it as long as i can remember. When i was younger i was scared of being sick too but i've kind of grown out of that, i don't like being sick but i am not terrified of it half as much as i am terrified of other people being sick. Everywhere i go its at the back of my mind that someone might be sick and it really scares me, i hate using pulic transport because i know that if someone is sick i have nowhere to run. I really get worked up about it. I can't go near anyone who feels sick or looks as though they may be sick or anyone who has been sick. It's taking over my life i hate having this fear, its so weird. Even my doctor looked confused when i told him about it and asked for help, i really need to get this sorted because it will probably stop me having children. I would be scared to go near even my own child if they were ill. I cant do this anymore, i need help!.
...............................
A
female
reader, Emmmeerrrr +, writes (11 February 2009):
I thought I was the only one who has this phobia and thought I was a weirdo, its good to know other people feel the same. I cant remember what triggered it off but since I was little when someone was sick I would cry and get upset thinking I would be sick aswell. I'm now 15 and when I see people that are sick I cry and get into a panic attack, even if people feel sick I cant go near them and I get really nervous. This phobia sometimes causes me to not sleep at night because i'm scared i'm going to be sick. I havnt found anything to get over this but I feel better knowing that i'm not the only person that has this phobia
...............................
A
female
reader, Gaters :) +, writes (23 December 2008):
Hey, im 16 years old, i have massive panic attacks when ever i feel sick.When i was in year 8 at school i never went, i wouldnt leave my room! so i lost a years schooling because i had a phobia/fear of being sick because i was scared i was going to feel ill at school.I looked up my phobia on the internet and it amazed me at how many people have it! i thought i was totally on my own.people thought i was stupid, i used to just crhy all the time. But a message to all people, You WILL get over it all and come through a much stronger person!Panic attacks..... i would recommend the Linden Method - yes its costs but i am now so much more relaxed and i can go to school and get on with my life.... yes i still have the fear but without the Linden method i would still be at home, not wanting to go anywhere. Dont let your phobia take over your life, your stronger than it and you CAN fight it!http://www.lindenmethod.com/When feeling sick... Chewing gum - helps, but dont have it if you havent eaten much as it can make you feel worse!strong mintsSucking on a fruity lolly or sweet... dont eat it straight away.Ihope i have helped... Good luck with everythingHave a lovely Christmas! Lots of Love Vickie Gatenby xx
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 December 2008): im so relived im not the only one,, i feel so stupid, i hate being sick myself and to see others being sick i hate it i stick my fingers in my ears hum and forget about it, one time my family had a bug and i slept in the car, i have had no couciling or anything for it, people say its stupid. Its ruining my life im only 14 ive had it all my life can anyone recomend anything?
thank you xx
...............................
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (26 November 2008): wow its weird beacause i have the exsact same thing and just today i walked out of school because of it and its ruiening my life,i cant go to school or go out
its like no one knows whats going threw my mind and people think they understand but they dont know,anyway its nice to know other people have the same problem,im having counsiling soon so i hope that will make me better,i will let you know how it goes and if it helps :)
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (26 November 2008): Heya im 16 years old and am absolutly TERRIFIED of people getting sick! its horrible for when im out with friends or the family have a party i wait up until everyone is home so i can see if someones sick or not, if they are i start shaking and get paranoid and just seize up, im afraid to move incase they hear me and come after me and get sick, i run as far away from them as i can get and i lock the door, i avoid going to the bathroom untill everyone has gone incase when im in there someone needs to be sick and runs in or wait outside and has to run by me when i open the door, the only thing that has started to help me now is my ipod, whenever someone is sick a move away and put my headfones in full volume so i cant hear a thing other than my music, then i turn away and put the blanket over my head and imagine im not there, i HATE it, its ruins any bit of fun i can have xxx
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (18 November 2008): i have the worst phobia and it is of people being sick. when someone tells me i feel sick i start to feel really hot and i start sweating then i start to cry and i sometimes feel sick myself and i feel really dizzy it is hrrible i just sometimes wish i never had a phobia. but if you feel like your the only one with this phobia you arent it is a common phobia.
...............................
A
female
reader, KIYA08 +, writes (10 October 2008):
I CANT BELIVE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE LOL!!
iv been suffering with this for as long as a can remember even though i have not been sick for about 10years but seems to go then come on strong again,im in a new relationship and really want to enjoy life with him but this is stopping me i try do normal things as i try to not let it stop me but im panicing all the time and cant get the thought out of my head and just want to go home,im going to try hypnotherapy so ill let you now how i get on,all i can say is try to be strong and think lifes to short to worry about something that is natural at the end of the day that sometimes help me relax xxxxxx
...............................
A
male
reader, thecbrkid +, writes (22 March 2008):
HI I AM EXACTLY THE SAME I CANT STAND BEING SICK OR BEING NEAR PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING SICK JUST THE THOUGHT OR SOUND MAKES ME FEEL I,LL ITS RUINING MY LIFE ALSO I TAKE METOCLOPIMIDE ALL THE TIME AND MY WEIGHT IS SUFFERING I HAVE LITTLE OR NO APPETITE MOST OF THE TIME IM SO SICK OF IT PARDON THE EXPRESION.I WANT MY LIFE BACK I HAVE REALLY HAD ENOUGH SO I REALLY DO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOURE COMING FROM PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YA WANA CHAT
[email address blocked]
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (20 March 2008): well im 11 and im not going school all the time because i have fear of bein sick and i cant stand it when other people around me are being sick i think i will catch it straight away it also feels like you are the only one but im ovbiously not i think im seein a councelliour soon so i think u sould aswell write back x
get well soon x
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (4 January 2008): Hi
I am also very scared of being sick, or people around me getting sick! I am scared to go to the doctors or be around people who are ill just in case I catch it! If my sons are sick my husband has to clear it up and I seem to have a panic attack when they are ill! I am very particular where I eat and wont go on fairground rides just in case im sick! It rules my life every day and is getting worse, you are not alone and you are not mad, it is horrid!
Take care Danielle xxxx
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (6 December 2007): I thought i was the only one! Thank god I know many other people have it too (even though its horrible but you know what i mean!)
I get scared when people make gagging noises, it makes me have really harsh panic attacks. I swear, many people do not understand how serious this is to us, people laugh when im scared or make a joke out of it! I love themeparks but i refuse to go on spinny rides or rides where people are above you as i get worried someone will throw up.
Do any of you people have flashbacks of when they see/hear someone sick?
I have it all the time!
Hope you will reply. xxxxx :)
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (20 September 2006): Dear Phobia of being sick,
It seems like you are doing the right thing getting help with this phobia that is making your life difficult. Not eating sounds like a great solution to the problem, in the short term. It allows you not to have to deal with the fear of being sick. However, in the long run this strategy will not be helpful. If you really want to fight your fear, you will need to face it. I know this is a very difficult thing to do, but if you take small steps each time it will make it easier to get through. Just like climbing a mountain, you need to begin with one step. There may be a lot of different things that you fear about being sick such as the physical sensations you notice, thoughts you notice, images you might look at etc. If you try to work out what some of these things are you can work out how to gradually get used to them until your fear goes down until you have reached the top of that mountain. Good luck!
...............................
A
female
reader, bonym +, writes (31 May 2006):
 My dear I have sent you a reply if you go on to this page i.e www.dearcupid.org, sign in as usual and then go to "Mailbox" you will see my reply, once you have signed in onthe dearcupid page.
I have suffered with emotophobia for years and like you it has really affected my life. My dear do not avoid eating, that will make you even worse because you will feel faint and then you will feel nauseous and then you may actually be sick. It may sound stupid, but there is a concept along the lines of mind over matter. When I eat I am not at all thinking "Am I gonna be sick" The truth is, I believe that my body knows so well that psychologically it cant take the idea of being sick so as I said in the private email, I have not been sick since I was a kid, I am 23 now, and I am sure I was 10 the last time I was sick. Make sure whenever you eat you cook everything properly and make sure you are not denying yourself essential nutrients. Read my mail and if you need further advice, I will try to help you as best as I can. Take care. xXx
...............................
A
female
reader, DrPsych +, writes (31 May 2006):
 Emetophobia (fear of vomiting) is a common phobia. You have to figure out the trigger for this phobia - it is usually connected with a bad experience associated with vomiting in childhood. Perhaps CBT will work for you but you have to give it time as this is a slow-acting therapy, and you really have to comply with the homework exercises etc. Some experts believe that fear of vomiting is part of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum so try to figure out other aspects of your behaviour that are unusual. I don't personally believe that hypnotherapy is very effective at dealing with profound phobic behaviour, but CBT is not bad! Remember that there are individual differences in how people respond to various phobia treatments so you need to shop around to find an approach that works for you.
You may wish to consider aversion therapy. If this is ruining your life then you may wish to approach some of the phobia-specialist clinics that combine medication with counselling and therapy to address the underlying issues, while tackling the physical/ emotional sensations of anxiety that are sometimes associated with phobia. Most of the phobia clinics run out-patient and in-patient intensive programmes.
Hope you feel better soon.
...............................
|
