Severe emetophobe

[crazy_me_84]

For anybody who can help me. I suffer from this phobia severely- in every way shape and form. I also have OCD and an eating disorderas a result. The OCD involves extreme fears of contamination- obsessions, andIwash my hands excessively and disinfect surfaces/ objects etc because of the fear thatI might catch an infection or virusor something similar,whichcould make me s*. Do you think that if the OCD was treated the emet would go away???


I have been referred to a team of specialists but they might end up treating the OCD instead of the phobia... I'm worried I will never overcome the phobia. The OCD, is difficult, but easy to live withcompared tothe fear that i might be s*.I can live with OCD, but I CANNOT live with the phobia. Do you think treating the OCD will help reduceemet to a point where I can live free from fear???????


Thanks

[californiagirl]

I hope this helps you:


I also suffer the same as you do. I was seeing dr. who put me on 60mg of Prozac daily. It controlled my OCD in a major way, and did lessen the emetophobia as well. In my opinion, my emet triggered my OCD, and with my OCD under control, my emet lessened because I didn't give in to it. I hope this makes sense, and I am all for whatever treatment works for YOU, whether it is psych. dr. or meds. I did what was right for me, and was pretty happy. The side effects from the Prozac were loss of sex drive, weight gain and a real "I don't care, it doesn't bother me" attitude, which was troublesome at times when it wasn't an emet/OCD-related issue at hand. But overall I was happy with it.

[violet]

crazy_me_84 hey


I know exactly where your coming from,I do the exact same, I disenfect surafces before and after I have used them wash my hands constantly while making food I dont touch raw meat I was frust and veg in hot water before I wash it in cold.


My hands are always and I mean always red raw from the ammount that I was them every day, when I go out I take my alcohol gel and end up using that about another 50times or nearly everytime I touch a door handle or shake someones hand.


Now I think if the OCD calmed down then maybe this phobia would be a little more relaxed so to speak but I havent managed to reduce either for the time being.


my OCD and emet gets so bad sometimes that I tend to not bother going out or really moving to be honest because everytime I touch something I feel like I need to wash my hands.


So all in all Im just letting you know you arent the only one with it so severe and im sure that we arent the only other 2, but if you need anything hun im on msn as [email protected]


Take Care and nice to meet you xx

[crazy_me_84]

Thank you for your quick replies. I really do hope that the emet will lessen with OCD treatment, but ideally, i'd likethe phobia to be treated first because I feel that much of the OCD will lessen as a result. If I didn't have a fear of v*, then I wouldn't fear the contamination side of things. Well, I have to wait to hear from the specialist this week or next, to let me know the next step...


Thanks again

[SimplyMe]

I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. I have anxiety issues and going and getting help to cope w/ that did help me to handle emet a little better. Don't get me wrong I'm still an emet and fear it like crazy but I do stuff now I didn't think I could then. Give it a shot!

[crimgoddess]

Thank you for your quick replies. I really do hope that the emet will lessen with OCD treatment, but ideally, i'd likethe phobia to be treated first because I feel that much of the OCD will lessen as a result. If I didn't have a fear of v*, then I wouldn't fear the contamination side of things. Well, I have to wait to hear from the specialist this week or next, to let me know the next step...


Thanks again

Welcome If you want your treatment plan to revolve around treating your phobia as being the primary concern, then definitely push for it. With therapy, it's ALL about you, and you should be able to decide your primary treatment goals. If on your hierarchy of issues, your emet is right at the peak, then it probably makes sense that, that be addressed first (or be most important). Although treating the OCD may make some of your emet-concerns lessen, if you don't treat the phobia the reasons why you have those tendencies will still be there.


You make sense when you speak of this, so make sure to talk to your doctor if he/she is going in a direction that you don't see as especially helpful. Who knows, if justify why they are going in that direction, you may see where they are coming from and end up agreeing.


Glad you are getting help


*amber*

[purpleteacher]

Did I just write this post or did you?!!?? Seriously... with the exception of the treatment part, I am your mirror purple image. I am a severe emet and it is ruling my life. Having an ED makes it even more intolerable and makes my emet worse. OCD -- umm... oh yeah, especially when I'm stressed. Stupid *odd* numbers and my counting and my hand washing and my *methods* for doing things in a certain order. Sure we aren't twins?!!?


I'm here for you... I am going through something very similar, just I cannot afford treatment - as I don't have medical insurance.

[crazy_me_84]

Thank youall foryour replies. I'm sure the professionals are only trying to work out the best way to treat this tricky problem, so I'll wait and see how things go when they get back to me.


Purpleteacher, yes we are very similar, from what I have read! Sorry to hear that things are so tough for you too. I understand how difficult this may be. Gosh, we know its so irrational, but just can't help it!

[sage]

Hi Crazy,


Treating the OCD will help the emeta lot. Both are anxiety disorders, and treating either one will help the other. This is because treatment of any anxiety disorder sort of "rewires" the brain so that the anxious response is lessened, and more logical/rational thought can take over. So don't worry - it will help.