I just learned this existed tonight.

[kateep]

Hi,

I'm a newly registered nurse from Perth, Western Australia. I've always had a gag and wretch when people around me have vomited, but since registering just this year and living with my sister and her two children, I have had an upgrade in my phobia. As soon as I hear that I'm in the vicinity of someone who has vomited (they're in my care, or we're in a small-ish area) I get a sense of dread, a hot flush and I need to get away. I am not, judging by what I've read, a serious phobic. I don't care if I vomit (used to with menstruation), and I don't care if the vomit is clear/bile (result of anaesthetic), and I'm not afraid of diarrhoea. I can't handle it if there is ANY chance it could be contagious. As I said I don't care if I'm vomiting - it is the anticipation of whether or not I am going to get sick.

I'm sorry if using the words doesn't sit well with anyone in this community, it's just that I'm not worried about the words.

So, couple my learning of my anxiety/phobia with my profession - part of my concern is passing a contagion on - and I'm now starting to feel worried that I've chosen the wrong career and how disappointed people around me (not to mention myself) would be.
Other manifestations (I'm guessing here) are that I'm tired all the time, even though I sleep quite well, and that I don't want to go to work even though I'm fine once I'm there.

I have decided tonight that I will seek professional help in the form of counselling. Hopefully I can nip it in the bud before it gets worse. I'm also glad there is a community of like people out there. Had no idea what I was feeling was legitimate, or that it was an issue worth seeking help over.

Thanks,
Kate.

[misslucy1590]

Hi Kate,

It can sometimes be really frustrating and scary when something is happening to us and we don't have any answers. I've had this phobia for as long as I remember but has been affecting me badly for the past 11 years. I only heard of this website a few months ago so I am quite new to it. But it has been quite comforting knowing that there are many more people out there like me. It's also been really helpful to be able to talk about my worries with people who really understand. So I hope that you find this forum as useful as I do and I wish you luck in therapy. It's definitely something that should be tackled sooner rather than later. As for your worry about your career, perhaps you will get over your phobia and find that you don't have to worry about your job anymore. I really hope so. It takes quite a lot of training to be a nurse and I guess there was something that really motivated you to become one and that reason probably hasn't changed but may have been clouded by your worries. I'm sure once you're all sorted that you can get back to enjoying your job!!

Lucy