Please help! What if it happens?!?

[carrie_99]

Hello all,

I hope everyone is doing well. I have quite the problem tonight that I hope I can get a bit of support/advice with... A bit of background.. I've been emetophobic for about 10 years. At the height of my phobia, I had lost about 25 pounds, everyone thought I was anorexic because of food restrictions, I barely left the house, and I isolated myself - all for fear of catching something dreadful and going through "it". I spent many moons on this website.. but over the years, and through loads of therapy, I thought I overcame the worst of it. And I did make substantial progress - almost as if the phobia was a thing of the past. But I still check expiration dates and overcook chicken. Long story short, just when I thought the phobia was gone and I can be myself again, "it" happened. Just last week, my 22 year streak was over; I caught the stomach bug. I'll spare the details, but needless to say "exposure therapy" did not work for me. I feel back at square one. Right where I was years ago. Right now I'm in the midst of a panic attack because my BF just told me he thinks he got it too. I am overcome with fear, anxiety, and dread that it'll come back and I'll get it again.. what do I do?? How do I stop being scared and crying and feeling completely helpless??? I'm so scared...

[missj]

*hugs* It's fairly unlikely that if you gave it to him you will catch it again. But still, take the proper hand washing procedures and take care of yourself! I know it's easier said than done, but try not to let this set you back to square one. I have had this phobia for about 12+ years and "it" has happened to me a few times in that span and, like you, each time the phobia gets a bit worse INITIALLY, but then eases up a bit until my panic manifests (sometimes years later) and comes back in the form of emet. Again, hang in there. Just because you feel like you're at square one so soon after it happened to you doesn't mean you will remain here forever.

[catherine73]

My biggest fear is catching a bug, because I`ve read that even if you haven`t vted in years, you can`t control it if you catch one of these things.

[arosenba]

I understand how you feel! I deal with that fear everyday.