Other People’s V*

[opvomit]

OK.. I'm new. I found this site by typing in "fear of vomit" into Google and this is the first site that popped up.


So, hence my user ID. I'm not afraid of V*-ing myself, I mean, I don't look forward to it, but I don't fear it.. what freaks me out is other people throwing up. I can handle seeing it in a movie or a TV show, or a picture of it, but live and in person.. I break out in a cold sweat.


Like tonight.. well, I had a stomach flu that lasted for about 2 days.. I had cramping, a 101 degree fever, diarrhea, and some nausea, but no V*. Not even close. I thought I had a mild case of food poisoning.. well, turns out I had some sort of bug because my wife got it tonight, and I heard her retching in the bathroom. I had to go in there afterwards and clean up (fortunately all of it was in the trash can), but I broke out in a cold sweat and started to gag. Let's just say I'm pretty sure I never want to eat Italian food again.


I made it through without freaking out TOO much (a lot of help I am to my wife, huh?), but I'm thinking.. how am I ever going to make it as a parent, if that occurs someday (my wife wants kids, I kinda do.. we've been married less than 2 months and neither of us is ready yet).


So, joined here to learn how to cope with it. Plus, I couldn't find any emetephobia groups on Yahoo.


OPV

[alison03]

I totally understand. I, too, am only afraid of others v*ing. It has never bothered me when I get sick, but the thought of anyone else doing it sends me into a panic attack. I feel like it rules my life because there are a lot of things I avoid because someone could possible get sick around me. I have been with my boyfriend for five years and in that time he has never gotten sick.....I don't know how I will handle it when he does. So, I completely understand your fears. Welcome to the site.

[jesskali]

Welcome to the site! I am afraid of both myself and others *v*. There are times when I think my fear IS more others than myself, but it is probably about equal. I think you handled your wife being sick very well! When my husband is sick, I usually run into another room or out of the house and cover my ears ( I don't like to hear it). Fortunately, I've never had to clean up after him, because I'm not sure if I could.

You will get a lot of valuable advice from others on this site!

Jess

[happyteacher]

Hello everyone,





I too am afraid of others. I mean, I think I would be anxious if I vomited myself (it's been 18 years), but in the end I could probably handle it, but others NO WAY! I don't think I could have cleaned up after anyone! I guess I'm in the wrong business, being an emet (I'm a teacher), but I think it makes me more tolerant.





I totally get it!

[pretty polly]

happyteacher - i so admire you. How you can do a job like that is
amazing. The same goes for doctors and nurses - wow, they have
my full respect!!!
Do you teach biggies or younguns? And what happens when the
inevitable happens? Coz surely at some point it must have done?

[harmonygirl72]

Hey!


I am a teacher, too! I'd love to swap emet/teacher stories with ya! I teach music to preschool-8th graders (about 4-13 years old).


Mary

[caligirl]

I am also new to this site, my Mom found it for me a few days ago. I have been afraid of other peoples v* for most of my life. I was afraid to look up any information on it for fear that it would show a picture or something.


My boyfriend and me are such a terrible match because he seems to be sick a lot. He doesn't understand my fear at all. He knows how I feel because I tell him but he just doesn't get it. It is hard to explain this to someone who doesn't have emet. A few weeks ago he was sick.I was worried about him because Ihadn't heard him for a while and things just kept going through my head of all the things that could have gone wrong. I wanted so badly to go in andmake sure he was okay but I just couldn't. I sat outside the door and cried because if there was something wrong I wouldn't know until it was too late. I physically could not will myself to open the door. I was sure he had choked and was laying on the floor dead.He was fine(of course), he got up a little while later and went to bed. Of course I couldn't sleep at all because he was in my bed. We just moved in together in April and this is the second incident we have had.


The frustrating part of it all is I don't even know what I am scared of...

[sage]

hi newbies! welcome to the site. When I suffered from emetophobia, I was at one time only afraid of others - it triggered terrible PTSD, in fact. Really horrible terror. My story (of being successfully treated) is on the "experiences" thread at the top.


I suggest you go to the Treatments section and check out EVERY sticky link at the top. Don't worry - there is nothing scary there, no pictures or anything. But lots of good stuff that will help you.


all the best!

[happyteacher]

pretty polly,


I teach Grade 7 (12 year olds). Yes, IT has happened in my presence. I am now totally terrified of field trips on bussesbecause I had 2 in the last year that had incidents. I get through it with supportive collegues (most people at my school know, especially my awesome, supportive principal) and when all else fails, Xanax! I have yet to have it happen in my classroom because these guys are usually old enough to know they aren't feeling well. I don't worry about it every day, but when I hear the dreaded, "Madame, I don't feel well!" I get the adrenaline shot that we all get in the face of a "threat". All I can do is tell them to go to the washroom and move on with my day. Dwellingon it is killer. Remember, NO REHEARSING THREATENING SCENES!!!! It gets us nowhere.


Teaching is my passion and I'm not ready to let emetophboa take my dream from me!

[happyteacher]

harmonygirl72,





I teach Grade 7 math, English, French and French Immersion geographya dn history. You are so brave to teach the young ones. I don't think I would ever feel "safe". I taught summer school to 6 and 7 year olds this summer and after having panic attacks the whole first week, I still felt mildly on alert for the whole time.





My hat is off to you!

[happyteacher]

pretty polly and harmonygirl 72,


My story is in the Experience forum under the thread "sotries of how we got emetophobia"if you want to know more about me.

[gubba]

OPV*, Welcome. You have found a super group here and we all know how you feel. I fear mine and others and I think mine more than others. I have a son who V*'s and I freak out, but more due to fear that I will catch it. Once I know it is not an SV, I deal with it.


I would never be able to clean out V* from an adult and you have my vote for winner of the day for doing that. YUCK!!!

[canucchink]

How do you teachers do it? I remember as a kid from Grade 1-5, everyone year at least 1 to 2 people wouldv* out of the blue.


My teacher was telling me once on a 10 hour field trip, one kid v* on the bus and the chain reaction was 6 people v* too from the smell.


I never go on long field trips now...but the olderkidsyou teach, the less v* there is. I havn't heard of any since Gr. 5

harmonygirl72,





I teach Grade 7 math, English, French and French Immersion geographya dn history. You are so brave to teach the young ones. I don't think I would ever feel "safe". I taught summer school to 6 and 7 year olds this summer and after having panic attacks the whole first week, I still felt mildly on alert for the whole time.





My hat is off to you!

[harmonygirl72]

HI again!


Well, I LOVE teaching and I refuse to let emet stop me from doing what I love. I also panic when kids tell me their stomachs hurt, but I tell them to go straight to the bathroom. I even sometimes tell the kids that I will leave if they get sick, so if they feel sick, just run! Don't even bother asking for permission! I also have VERY supportive colleagues and that helps a lot! I have had it happen in my room a few times, and yes, I have RUN! But, there are always people there to help deal with it and then I move on. Teaching is so great; I can not imagine doing anything else.


Mary

[happyteacher]

Right on sister!