Is this emetophobia?

[griffdiz]

I'm not really sure if I actually have a phobia or if everyone feels this way. I don' think I am actually afraid of vomiting myself, it's other people vomiting I am afraid of. I remember it starting when I was in elementary school. I think it was third grade. Someone in my class got sick on the floor, and I remember feeling all panicky about it. Like I wanted to avoid it at all costs. And I think I honestly avoided that spot like the plague for the rest of the time I was in elementary school. Actually I still do that now. If I know someone has thrown up somewhere I will avoid that spot for months afterwards. I think maybe I used to be afraid of getting sick myself, and that's where the fear started. I would always analyze how I was feeling for the next day or so afterwards thinking I would get sick too. Now every since it started I always have nightmares about people getting sick around me and not being able to get away. That's actually why I found this site because I had a nightmare again last night that woke me up and I went online. If I am in the car with someone who even says they don't feel good, I start to panic. It's like my heart starts racing and I stop paying attention to my driving and all I can think about is where am I gonna pull over. I swear I want to slam on the brakes and just push them out of the car! Is that horrible of me?! Two years ago in our old apartment my husband got sick twice. The first time he had food poisoning and asked me to bring him the garbage and I did and then just ran to the bedroom to hide and cried! The next time he was passed out from drinking and just started throwing up all over the living room floor and I freaked out. He even started choking and I couldn't even help him! Instead I called his friend who lived in the same complex and I was hysterical and told him to please come over and this is like 1 in the morning. So he did and my husband was fine, but I couldn't even move him when he was choking. All I did was scream at him from the ther side of the room to stop! I am a horrible wife! Then I had to clean up his throw up because he was too drunk to do it and I cried the whole time. Then I refused to sit at that end of the couch for the rest of the time we lived there. Maybe subconciously I am afraid of getting sick? Why else would I be afraid of someone else getting sick? Or the actual throw up itself? A couple months ago we went to the food court in the mall for dinner and some little girl in front of subway started throwing up all over the floor and I grabbed my husband and said we are leaving NOW and I wouldn't eat the rest the day and I still haven't gone back to that food court. I told him when we have kids I am carrying a plastic bag everywhere with me and I'll probably be constantly asking them if they feel sick and if they do make them sleep in the bathroom! OMG I know that is nuts and I can't do that. I could probably go on and on about every single time someone had thrown up anywhere near me or even in the same building as me! I feel like sick people follow me wherever I go! What's wrong with me?

[amie.essex]

I would say it is a phobia as its pretty much exectly how I feel and I've been diagnosed with it xx You'll find lots of help and support here.

When I read 'I feel like sick people follow me wherever I go!' I felt like it could of been me writing - its almost like I'm haunted by sickness!

[griffdiz]

I know, like how is it that everywhere I go it seems like someone throws up! But then I thought, maybe this happens to everyone I just obsess over it and everyone else doesn't?

[amie.essex]

I think that we just notice it more than others cos we're always wary and on the look out for it - if that makes sense.
Do you avoid situations because of it?
Do you feel anxious a lot?

I have 2 daughters and my phobia got so much worse after having them - I'm constantly on high alert if one of them looks pale or has a poor appetite or wakes in the night etc etc etc!!!!
Hope you find this site helpful - at the very least it has taught me that I'm not alone xx

[antiv03]

Hey griffdiz - I have exactly the same fear symptoms as you do (very afraid of others being sick, possible that it originated from a fear of myself getting sick from others?). To confirm your question, I did visit a therapist who specializes in phobias/OC and she told me that this is, in fact a form of emetophobia. And yes, I agree with you that seeing people getting sick in grade school really did suck - badly

Kudos to you for cleaning up your husband's v* - if/when I have to face that I hope I am as brave as you! That being said, you are obviously NOT a horrible wife! I always try to remember that NOBODY actually likes v*, even nonemetophobes (I know MANY non-emetophobes who say that they have much difficulty dealing with v* when their kids/spouse is sick!!!)

[ziegfeldgirl]

When I read 'I feel like sick people follow me wherever I go!' I felt like it could of been me writing - its almost like I'm haunted by sickness!

Me too! Even my mother has commented on the unusual prevalence of v* in my presence when every action I make in life is how to avoid it. Maybe we subconsciously seek it out? I mean, you have to know where it is to avoid it, right? This is one of the biggest reasons I am never having children. And I think that's rather unfortunate.

[griffdiz]

I don't avoid situations I don't think. I mean, I will still go wherever I want to. But I am much more aware of how others around me are acting. When I walk through a parking lot I am constantly watching where I walk because I'm afraid of stepping it something. And if I see something spilled, which is probably most likely just pop or something, I immediately assume it's vomit and avoid it like the plague. Also, if I see someone that is acting really drunk my first thought is to be able to get away from them in case they throw up.

I am so afraid that one day when I have kids I will be constantly anxious about them getting sick. I know it's not fair AT ALL, but I almost get mad when someone's kid throws up somewhere because I think in my head, geez don't take your kid in public if they don't feel good. But I know that's not always possible and I know kids get sick really fast sometimes. I mean, ya I threw up in public when I was a kid. Granted, it was on a bathroom floor so at least I tried. LOL I know it is so silly, but I feel like I will always have that anxiety in the back of my mind, especially since I frequently have nightmares about it.