Fellow emets, what are some of your calming techniques?

[carissa93]

I've noticed the way I deal with my emetophobia is I feel comfortable in a certain room in my house. For some reason, I feel safe and comfortable in the living room with my mom at night when I feel like I'm gonna throw up. I also noticed watching TV helps, and so does drinking carbonated flavored water. I'm just wondering what are some of your calming techniques? When you feel like you're about to throw up, what kinds of things do you do to calm yourself down and relax?

[emmalinda]

i leave the house and go somewhere in the car. my car is my safe place. funny how you'd think it would be my home but it isnt. i've been sick here too often and it reminds me of thoe times when i was sick. i come on here or watch tv. when i definatly think its gonna happen i absolutley freak. i pace the room and my mind is going a hundred miles an hour and there ist much i can do. i hate it. just thinking about it is freaking me out a little

[bree0630]

I usually drink ginger tea, watch my favorite movie, anything to get my mind off of it.
Also a hot bath really helps me relax.
I don't like to be alone when I feel like I'm going to v* so I usually take my dog with me wherever or call my boyfriend, or talk to a friend on the phone. Even if its really late.
Also relaxation music....and a heating pad.
Weird, I know....but it helps.
I also sleep with a bucket on my bed....
(don't do that cuz it isn't healthy) lol but I have a fear of v*ing and not making it to the tiolet.

[Clap08]

I used to see a therapist and she told me to try writing down how I was feeling, or playing word games or just something to distract me. Lately I've been coming on here, or if I'm feeling really bad I usually pace back and forth and pray for the pain to stop, or just tell myself that it will be okay, that if I do get sick it's not gonna kill me and that it won't last forever, and I also try to focus on breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, and that usually helps.

[runner1998]

* I try to think rationally: I probably won't get sick, even if I do get sick it won't last very long. I try to think through why I might be feeling this way. I try to recognize when anxiety is causing my symptoms.
* Lately, I often come here to rant or vent. I always try and also help at least one other person, because helping others makes me feel better.
* A shower, and washing my hair, almost always makes me feel better.
* I sip ice cold water if I'm not too nauseated.
* I have ginger gum and that helps when my stomach is somewhat upset.
* If it gets REALLY bad, I may take an anti-emetic. I consider that my last resort, though.

[Erica1649]

I've noticed the way I deal with my emetophobia is I feel comfortable in a certain room in my house. For some reason, I feel safe and comfortable in the living room with my mom at night when I feel like I'm gonna throw up. I also noticed watching TV helps, and so does drinking carbonated flavored water. I'm just wondering what are some of your calming techniques? When you feel like you're about to throw up, what kinds of things do you do to calm yourself down and relax?

I usually like to sit up (if I'm in bed) when 9 times out of 10 is when I feel blah. I watch Scrubs on DVD and that helps to distract me because I get horrible anxiety...my husband just feels extremely blah all of a sudden, and of course I ran away downstairs to here (the computer) and I'm charging my MP3 player because I found it dead in my purse (My worse nightmare if somebody is gonna be sic

[Theshadow]

I don't know but I watch something funny like Friends my all time favourite sitcom. However, their are some days where I am just so depressed it feels nothing will fully cheer me up but I suffer from depression. I also try rational thinking at times as well and have a pale in my room just incase it happens. I have noticed that if I feel nauseas having the pale right in front of me helps.

[EMF1300]

When I feel like v*ing I always need my mom to be with me. Something about her being there always seems to calm me down. If she isn't home I usually end up freaking out more than usual. We will watch reruns of sitcoms on DVD, ones I have seen so many times that I can watch them again if I v* while they are on. We talk about unrelated things and she usually tries to make me laugh. As it gets worse I begin to pace and hyperventilate and say things like "I'd rather die" and stuff. I can't sleep while feeling n* and cannot lay down, I have to be sitting up. When it isn't as bad I drink ginger ale and try to become preoccupied.

[scaredsick]

I have to have a v* bag or bucket in my bed with me also...i have a fear of v*ing in the toilet, so it helps me to know if i do, i have something to v* into. I also sip ice cold water if i can. I like warm baths, and i watch tv. I actually need to be alone if i think im going to v*....it makes me nervous to have my husband there....maybe because one time i had the sv my ex sat and laughed at me while i was v*ing...so now i have to be alone.

[EMF1300]

I have to have a v* bag or bucket in my bed with me also...i have a fear of v*ing in the toilet, so it helps me to know if i do, i have something to v* into. I also sip ice cold water if i can. I like warm baths, and i watch tv. I actually need to be alone if i think im going to v*....it makes me nervous to have my husband there....maybe because one time i had the sv my ex sat and laughed at me while i was v*ing...so now i have to be alone.

I can't believe your ex did that to you... even more so with the phobia. What a jerk!

[scaredsick]

I can't believe your ex did that to you... even more so with the phobia. What a jerk!

That he was! I think he made my emet 100 times worse too! Thank God my husband isnt at all like him and is totally supportive of me and tries to help when im sick!

[EMF1300]

Well it's a good thing he is out of your life now and you have a much better partner. It definitely helps when you're an emet and you have good support.

[Rebeccalup]

I only discovered these forums tonight and it's such a relief to see how much I can relate to everyone on here!

My calming methods include watching TV, coming online (which is what I did tonight and how I found this site!), using a hot water bottle or going for a walk. Basically anything to try and forget about my nausea!

Scaredsick your ex sounds like a terrible person! My boyfriend is amazing with me, and I feel that has definitely helped me with my emetophobia over the last 2 years

[Razzle]

First what I usually do is examine myself. One thing I gained with being a hypochondriac/emetophobic was the ability to read my body's symptoms pretty well. If i have no watery mouth or numb jaw, I try to reassure myself that I'm freaking over nothing.

I take an antacid like Pepcid AC (which I heard didn't really do anything but in my experience help tremendously.) Usually I get a lot of trapped gases in my stomach that cause me to feel nauseous.

I drink a lot of ice cold water, and/or take a hot shower. Sometimes I walk or move around also. I can't lay down...for some reason, that makes me feel worse.

I also found anything with peppermint helps a lot. When I was in high school I had bouts of anxiety attacks over v* late at night almost every night for a few months. I ate some Andes chocolate mint candies (it was around the holidays) and felt better almost instantly.
I also wrote a lot....anything, really. Names, places, colors. Concentrating on something else and as relaxing as writing took my mind off of my sick feeling.