Different Kind of Emet

[turtleiam]

Seems like most emets have a phobia about V* no matter what the cause. My phobia is mainly being around people with SV specifically, especially my kids and husband. Thankfully, I don't seem to be too caught up with other reasons for V*. Is anyone else like that? If so, what treatments have you tried? Will this progress to avoiding V* for every reason? Thanks for any insight!


PS. I'm SO THANKFUL for this site! It's helped me through some times of panic.

[chicajojobe]

Well I think for all of us a sv is our biggest fear because it's so highly contagious, we just fear v*ing for other reasons too. So we can definetly empathize. Welcome to the board.

[daffodil]

I am mostly afraid of the sv, because I mainly fear myself v*. V* for other reasons freaks me out, but not as much.

[calibmom24]

Turtleiam, I am the same way. I fear svs because I can catch them. Watching v* in movies or someone else doing it that does not have a sv* doesn't bother me at all. But I am terrified of catching a sv* so that kinda controls my life because I am deathly afraid of v* myself. I am not afraid of other things making me v* because I think hopefully (knock on wood) I can control those in some way.

[mars]

Hi Turtleiam, I am like that too! Sv*s are my worst nightmare as they are contagious - I don't worry too much about other reasons for getting sick and I don't panic if someone is sick for another reason other than sv*s.


I used to just be scared of other people v* now I am really afraid of being near or hearing about sv*s as we can never be sure if we'll get infected or not. Mx

[happyteacher]

I'm the total opposite. I think that I could handle v* myself if it came right down to it, but the thought of seeing others for any reason freaks me out!

[turtleiam]

Thanks for the welcome and encouragement. I've been anxious since last night because my husband jumped out of bed and thought he needed to v*, but he never did. I talked to him today & he said he still has heartburn, but he doesn't think it's a sv. I just can't let go of the anxiety & therefore am accomplishing very little today.


I'm wondering if this is difficult to treat because I'm only very anxious when I know I've been around someone who MAY be sick. Otherwise, I'm pretty good day to day. It's not like being afraid of heights (which by the way my hubby is) where you can just avoid being up high.


I'm seeing a therapist & I think she has helped me with talking through some family stuff, but we don't seem to be getting to anything that will help me with my phobia.


I hate to think of spending all winter nervous any time someone says their tummy hurts. At least Spring brings some relief. Unfortunately, that not until late April here in Iowa.

[turtleiam]

You know, when it comes down to it and I know I'm sick, I can handle that without anxiety. It's more the anticipation that I can't handle. And, like someone had mentioned, never knowing what will infect you. Therefore, I see everything and everyone as contagious.