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I Have Emetophobia

My Story

By: sceducator
Written on July 10th, 2009

Well, I guess I have emetophobia. I have struggled with this phobia for as long as I can remember. My reaction to vomit (can I use that word on here?) is like the ones I have read about....covering my ears, running from the room, leaving the scene entirely, etc. I absolutely cannot be around it, hear it, see it, or heaven forbid get close enough to smell it. The funny thing is, on the rare occasion that I am sick, it does not bother me to be sick. Of course, I don't like it, but it doesn't freak me out nearly as much as when other people do it. Recently, there have been several incidents when I have been around it and I decided to seriously look into this issue.

One fear in particular: My husband drinks. I do not. I have always feared the one day he will get so intoxicated that he will vomit in his sleep and not know he has done it. Two weeks ago, we were entertaining a group of friends and my husband passed out from drinking. I went in the room to check on him at the very moment that he started to throw up...while he was passed out. He had no idea that he was getting sick! He outweighs me by about 40 pounds and I could not move him! I had to grab his arm and try to pull him up out of the bed. Fortunately, his friends were there and could get him to the bathroom where he got sick everywhere. I could not take care of him, I could not go in the bathroom to check on him, I was terrified. My stomach was churning and I was in total panic mode. I "slept" maybe 3 hours that night.... in my car.

I am 29 years old and a teacher. This phobia absolutely has to stop! Fortunately, I teach high schoolers and they pretty much know to get out of the room if they are going to be sick although I am sure the day will come when...well you know. My husband cannot understand how real this fear is and he thinks I am wasting my time being so fearful. To see him drink, even just a beer or two will never be the same. I literally witnessed by biggest fear coming true two weeks ago and I fear it has pushed me over the edge! What if I had not been in the room at that very moment?!

Since the incident two weeks ago, I have not slept well, and cannot stop re-playing the incident in my head. It took a little more than one week before I could sleep without waking up with every move he made to ensure that he was not vomiting in his sleep. I am mad at myself for this ridiculousness and am terrified that it will control my life.

Although I don't have major issues with eating, I do have major issues with people even mentioning that their stomach hurts. It's odd to me that some things severely bother me and others don't bother me at all. I have a niece who is a baby and her vomit does not bother me in the least.

I need answers!! Or at least just shared experiences....

Freaking out,

SCEducator

By: sceducator
Age: 26-30
1,045 people have read this story

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    gina682011
    gina682011

    Sceducator ....I definitely share your experience.



    I'm not afraid of vomiting myself. I'm not afraid of getting sick. I don't like it, but I can deal with it. I absolutely cannot hear it, see it, smell it.



    I don't got to movies because there seems to be a vomit scene in every movie that comes out.



    I avoid hospitals as much as possible because I'm afraid of hearing or seeing someone vomit.



    I avoid bars, sporting events or any other venue that have alcohol because someone will get drunk and vomit, I just know it.



    I have slept in my car on more than one occasion when my husband was drunk because I as afraid he was going to get sick.



    I left my ex-husband for three days when he had the flu and moved home with my mother.



    My husband was about to get sick one morning while I was in the shower and I ran so fast down the stairs that I fell and broke my tailbone.



    You are not alone.

    Feb 15, 2011
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      hmpeek84
      hmpeek84

      I also try to avoid the bar/club scene for that same fear. Also although I love going to outdoor concerts, this past year it spiked my fear even more, especially since a lot of people were drinking in the NC heat :O

      Also, hearing it, seeing it, and Heaven forbid smelling it sends me into panic! My older sister came down with a bug last year, and the sound of her had me curled up in a ball with my hands over my ears. I caught the same bug, but luckily no vomit for me.

      Recently I flew on a plane to FL and back, and that was my biggest fear through the whole flight, that someone sitting near me was going to vomit and I couldn't move out of that situation. Luckily, as far as I know, no one was ill on the plane.

      Glad to hear that I'm not alone in my phobia

      Sep 20, 2011
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    rosalielockhart
    rosalielockhart

    Hi sceducator! I know that Im only 15, but I really understand you, replaying it over in your head, its so true but scary. Seeing as Im not an adult I cant advise much that you would appreciate, but maybe you could read my story, its on my page, its a shared experience.. xR

    Oct 13, 2009
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    chasingrainbows
    chasingrainbows

    Hi sceducator. One of my cousins suffers with emetophobia and we all have to be really careful what we say around him. We can't say for example "I feel really sick today" even if we actually do because in his mind this ferments and becomes a fully flinched fear, he will then become obsessive about his health and general cleanliness. He won't touch any food that is on its sell by date, not the use by date but the sell by date because he feels that even if he touches the unopened packaging he will somehow become very ill and vomit everywhere. This must be difficult for you. What are you thinking of doing to help yourself? Counselling?

    Jul 11, 2009
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