It has taken over my entire life!

[afraidofitall]

It used to be just a fear, something I was afraid of now and then, but it only got bad when I heard of other people getting sick. Then almost two years ago norovirus struck my family, and only my brother and I avoided it. I was so anxious about catching it, but after it went away I felt a little better. A few months later, my entire family came down with some bug while we were all on vacation (sharing the same room.... X ( ) and I avoided it again by constant hand washing. Again, after it went away I felt a little better, only really obsessing over it on certain occasions. Lately however, it's always on my mind. I'm constantly making sure the rest of my family ate or is hungry and feels okay, and I think I'm being a bit obsessive compulsive about not getting sick. I'm especially anxious right now because my brother doesn't feel very well. I'm constantly paranoid and it's just an awful way to live. I'm so done with being afraid, but I can't do anything about it. My parents joke about it! I know I could probably benefit from some help, but I don't know how helpful it will be. I'm even more terrified because I'm going to college in a year where illness will spread around so much.

Is anyone else constantly paranoid that emetophobia possesses all their thoughts? I just want to know that I'm not alone!

[kam142]

Am sorry you're having a tough time. I just posted in another thread that it's 1am here and I'm having palpitations every time my sister coughs in the next room because I think she's gonna be sick so you're defi not alone with the obsessive thoughts and emet taking over everything (I'm 30 years old for gods sake!) What I would say though is it might be a good time to get some help/ seek medical advice. If you're putting extra worry on yourself about going to college next year it might help put your mind at rest if you have a bit of a game plan for how to cope starting now. Also I never caught anything during 4 years of uni and I stayed in shared accommodate the whole time!

[mhartse]

your definitely not alone! i think we all do this to some extent or another. You should use your reminder of how after everyone was sick you did a little better. Go with that. Remind yourself a sickness can come along and you don't have to catch it.