New Member

[hwill23]

I just joined this site tonight, and I'm so glad I found a place where people are discussing the exact things I've been experiencing. I've been in denial for at least a year now, telling myself I'm being dumb, and to just get over it already, being sick isn't the end of the world....but no matter what, it literally feels like to get a gastrointestinal illness that involves vomiting is the absolute worst thing that could happen to me. Every single day and every single night I have an ever-present fear that I am or will get sick, and I've been to the doctor several times because of the intense nausea I experience. I can still eat out, but not without feeling worried and guilty, that I might be condemning myself to a vomiting hell by ingesting tainted food. I hate this, I hate having to know where the bathroom is everywhere I go, feeling panicky if it's occupied, staying up really late to make sure I'm not sick, never traveling or drinking with friends, not enjoying food, overanalyzing every single stomach feeling, etc etc. I would love to get help, but I'm not sure the best way to go about it...can I get some advice? Thanks so much!

[NatalyKay]

Hello there! Welcome!

We've all been where you are right now, I'm in recovery right now! I study how my stomach feels, where the discomfort is, how severe it is, and whether or not I have a *feeling* that I'm going to be sick later on. I've developed a horrible OCD type of thinking, and I feel that if I don't get nervous and scare myself, then I'm not going to be okay! I've been taking anxiety medication and it has helped me very well. It hasn't cured me of course, I still am thinking about being sick, but my body doesn't react to it and then I just forget about it.

We're all here to help you though, you'll get through it. I have faith

[MelP]

All of us know logically how illogical and silly our thoughts about v are. But it isn't enough to make us stop thinking those crazy thoughts.

I do feel bad when I see others beating themselves up, calling themselves dumb, and a host of other bad things that we wouldn't even say to our worst enemies yet say to ourselves. Phobias, whatever their form, are not reasonable. To make sense of them is futile.

I think the answer lies in realizing our thoughts can be whatever, but they do not have to control our behaviors.

[sage]

Welcome to the site hwill!