A new guy, a new story (Well, maybe)

[PerfectCircle]

Hi all.

So this is my second post here ( i couldn't resist responding to a post earlier, sorry) and i figured its best i introduce myself. I'd like to warn anyone in advance that if you're sensitive to any of the "bad" words, then maybe don't read my story as i go on :P

I'm male, 25 years of age, and currently a struggling emetophobic (And likely, have been most my life) as we all are trying to get by.

Throughout my teen years i've been on and off a variety of different anti-depressants, to coincide with the depression i've had this deep rooted fear of being s*ck. I've never fully understood where it's come from or why, but i do understand it's irrational, and controls far too much of my life - something i'm terribly ashamed of. Yet no matter how logical or "rational" i try to be with this phobia, it always takes over as soon as i get any sense of n*. I try to suppress it, which in turn just appears to make it come back stronger.

Now as you may have guessed; my problem isn't when others are ill, my fear is actually the act of doing it myself, doing it "wrong" or choking, etc. I've actually been around friends and family who have been rather ill in front of me, all of which doesn't bother me too much - Other then makes me very concerned for their wellbeing, of course. Or catching it myself. If it was me in their shoes, i know that i'd be having an all out panic attack. It also doesn't help that i suffer with IBS and a generally very sensitive stomach (yet very little "gross" visual stimulation makes me feel icky. I've a thick skin in that regard)

One of the best things i ever undertook in regards to treatment (specifically at my depression, as my emetophobia was something i never discussed) was CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) something that helped me better deal with emetophobia later on, but now....now i feel that i'm struggling.

See, what really brings me here today is that i'm rather ill, and i'm finding it pretty hard to deal with these new symptoms i'm experiencing. I've got suspicions that i've picked up that horrible Norovirus going around, and really, right now, that thought absolutely terrifies me.

So i was wondering, if/when you guys are in this position, how do you best deal with it? I try and distract myself by playing an instrument or a game, but i find that sometimes the n* is so intense, i just can't focus on it, and then i start to pace around, heart racing and mind doing a mile a minute, not knowing what to do with myself....then suddenly, the feeling passes, and i'm fine again.

Anywhoo, thanks for any replies.

[Tonster]

Maybe you havent picked up the virus at all? I hope its just anxiety nausea?

[daffodil]

Welcome to the forum! You said you have IBS and a sensitive stomach, maybe you are having a flare? Either way, I hope you feel better soon.

[PerfectCircle]

Upon further reflection, i think the symptoms i confused with Noro are actually just a case of a common cold.

What i frequently forget is that mucus, from the common cold, can sometimes trigger nausea, as it's indigestible. With a particularly vicious cold, it can cause nasal drip (where it goes down to the stomach) to which the stomach responds with nausea.

I've also been consuming dairy (Although i love the stuff, i'm mildly lactose intolerant) so that doesn't help either. LOL.

I always feel a bit like a fool after instances like this, but considering the symptoms i had (Vicious runs, etc) i really thought i had it. Goes to show how easy this phobia blasts things outta proportion.

[chris_alice]

We're all so quick to assume 'norovirus' every time we're sick. Personally, the physical symptoms that accompany panic have made me feel more sick and for longer than any real stomach virus I've ever had, especially since 95% of my anxiety symptoms are gastrointestinal.