Anxious I’m going to get sick!

[tourtelj]

Hi everyone it is my first time on here. I think I will make this a part of my self curing! I haven't v* forever..I'm 21 now has to have been at least 11 years if not more. I think not remembering what it feels like is what makes me most anxious.


I don't know where it came from and why it sticking but I am so sick of this phobia. I'm doing the therapy thing not much help. I'm on xannax I think it only makes me feel better cuz I think it does.


But I work with kids two were out this week with the stomach virus and now two staff have it. I'm petrified I am going to get it. Not only do I NOT want to get sick but tomm I have to go to my internship ( i'm in college ) what if I get sick there! I hate calling out sick because of fear of being sick.I hate giving in but sometimes I don't know what else to do. I am open to any and all suggestions.


One thing I read in other posts is how we have learned to keep ourselves from throwing up. I joke that I have that power but maybe we do. Can someone elaborate more. I want to rid myself of this best I can. I hate that everytime someone I know throws up I go into a panic for days expecting I'm going to get sick.


Help... I have one more semester of college before I graduate and I don't know how I'm going to make it with this phobia that seems like its growing. ( it began when I was in 5th grade and I saw someone throw up in class )





-Jessica

[jenny.preston]

I am not sure if any of us can actually stop ourselves from vomiting. I think if our bodies are determined to do it, then it is going to happen regardless. This being said, it doesn't make it any easier. Apparently, from what i have read, Emets are less likely to Vomit because they are willign to tolerate any amount of nausea as long as they don't throw up. It's also a mind over matter thing. If you have somethign that makes you feel better than you are also less liekly to throw up. My vice is Ginger tea. I take it EVERYWHERE!!! Also the less you panic, the better you feel, so anythign that relaxes me is good in my book too. Deep breathing, a little yoga, whatever.


I hope this helps, It's worth doing a little research, I found it very comforting. Apparently in a study done, when comparing Emets to Normal People (Normies as I liek to call them lol) Emets could hold out under 30 hours of extreme nausea without ever giving in and vomiting, and the normies buckled after less than an hour.


Good Luck!


JEnny

[dord]

Keep telling yourself that even if you throw up while at your internship you are still going togo home, go to bed and wake up the next day. It's easy for me to say and trust me, I get just like you do...panicky whenever co-workers are telling me of the latest bug and that EVERYONE has it. I just want to break out my can of lysol and spray the people talking (tee-hee).I try and alwaysfocus ontaking the power back from this phobia. Why shouldn't we all have a normal life?What works for me isgetting mad at it - being so determined not to let it affect me too much.I actually spent last night evaluating what isworse for me - the worry or the actual times that I've gotten sick or someone in my family got sick. My answer is without a doubt the worrying.Go to your internship tonight.Keep telling yourself that you AREN'T going to get sick. Take the xanax with you as a safety net in case you are feeling too panicky but try not to take it unless you have to (it's very addictive) - I'm not passing judgement here,I take ativan too but only if I really need it because to me emet would be nothing compared to being addicted to these drugs.One more thought....it's been 11 years - why would tonight be the night? Afterall, you know in 11 years you've been exposed to lots of sv's.

[tourtelj]

Thanks guys. It feels good to have advice from people who feel similar. I spent the night crying to my bf about each scenario. A. i get sick and call out ( i dont like calling out ). B. I dont get sick but im in such a panic I willI call out. C. I go to intern and get sick there or D. I go and feel anxious the whole day.


Well after our convo I figured sitting up all night isnt going to keep me from getting sick and if I get sick I just get sick. I woke up in the morning with a rumbling tummy. Feeling hungry is great cuzI figure who has a sv and is hungry! So all the options I was scared of didn't even happen. I went to my internship and felt great all day. The last person to get the sv at my job has had it for over 24 hrs now so a part of me feels like I would have gotten it by now. of course that could be one of the many things i rationalize but it works.


luckily i have a VERY supportive and understanding boyfriend. he had the sv a few weeks ago and he knows not to talk about it or even think of seeing me during that time. i always wonder what will happen when we move in and he gets sick since hes one of those people who would throw up on purpose to rid himself of nausea. opposites attract i guess!


but thats interesting about that study. thanks again for the feedback. even though i do have a good support system its definatley different to have it from people who know what its like exactly.


-jessica