Hey, new member here. Quick background story; I've been emetophobic since I was 16 and apart from being terrified of v* (I have no problem with the word but it seems most people here don't like to see it) for a year after the emet developed, it was largely at the back of my mind for four years or so, including during the norovirus I contracted in 2009.

Buuut...

Over the last few weeks it's come back full force worse than ever. I moved from the countryside to a city and suddenly I'm scared of leaving the house. That isn't to say I hate the outdoors, I love big open spaces but when it's a crowded shop or street with traffic and noise I feel smothered and extremely, extremely n* and I've now become scared of n* as well as v*. I feel like I have to rush home and I can only allow myself to breath and relax once I'm in the house/garden.

So how does everyone cope, say if you have to visit a city centre/downtown? Do you do as I do, and walk no matter how far it is, avoid the busier streets and shopping centres and then get the hell out of there as soon as possible? I'm disappointed with myself for behaving like this because it didn't bother me until a month ago.

Here's hoping it'll disappear again!