Oh no, Nighttime Anxieties

[SaraMelene]

I'm pretty new here, though I've hovered around the forum for a few months. Over the past few months I've done some research and like to think I'm learning how to handle emetophobia, but tonight it's particularly bad I still need help I guess! It's nice to know there's some support here.

Anyway, my anxiety started only a few months ago in January, when I poisoned myself with acetone while trying to remove my nail polish in a closed off, heated bathroom. (BIG whoops.) I *v'd a few times that night and slept all day the next day, but since then any time I feel *s I get SCARY panic attacks. It was the first time I'd gotten *s in years, and honestly the act itself wasn't so bad, but I still get terrified! Luckily, my understanding mother also deals with anxiety issues, and is able to help any way she can. But her anxiety issues aren't as specific as emetophobia, she says.

Anyway, tonight I thought I'd be well enough to try using nail polish remover again. However, after working through three nails, I started feeling really paranoid and the smell was making me feel generally bad. The kind of nausea I'm currently experiencing has all the signs of anxiety-induced nausea, I suppose: panicky, light-headedness, some shivers that I may or may not be imagining, and no real discomfort in my stomach. The nausea also seems to come in waves- as I'm writing this I feel fine, but every few minutes I almost feel like I have to rush to the bathroom. However, I'm still (probably irrationally) concerned that the nail polish remover had something to do with it. I didn't use that much of it, and the room is well-ventilated. I'm currently sipping a ginger ale and snacking on a clementine, (my favorite snack during periods of anxiety) any suggestions? Thank you!

[staystrongxx]

Sounds like association anxiety to me. I do it all the time, for illogical reasons, but since you actually poisoned yourself with acetone before, it's not illogical. Nevertheless, I think you're fine. You said the room is well ventilated, so i don't see why the smell would make you ill. take deep breaths(not in that room)

Also, they make non-acetone nail polish remover it still stinks though, lol

[SaraMelene]

This is kinda late, but thanks for the reply! Yeah, I got through the night just fine, I guess it really was just my mind playing tricks- and that tidbit about non-acetone remover is very helpful! I'll look that up, I'm not so much bothered by the smell as I am by the general uncomfortableness of using acetone. Thank you very much! (: