Hey everyone. I just joined, so thought I'd introduce yourself and tell you my story.


Firstly, I want to say thank God I found this forum! I never knew there would be a place where I could go and discuss this phobia of mine. So thank you to whoever set this whole thing up.


I'm Jen, I'm 18 and am from the South East of England.


I can't tell you exactly when I got this phobia, or why, I just remember from a very young age being terrified of v* (that what you call it here?)


What can I say? I'm just absolutely petrified of being sick. Even the thought of it strikes fear into me. I can never be in the same room as someone who feels sick, sometimes I can't even be in the same building. If someone has been sick I completely freak out. It gets worse when it's me who's feeling sick though. I get the shakes (uncontrolably), sweat, my heart races, my breathing gets very erratic and then I have full blown panic attacks which usually end in my mum sleeping in my room so I have someone near me to calm me down if needs be. When I actually am sick I have panic attacks, cry a lot, and never let my mum leave my side.


It's so dibilitating (sorry if that's not spelt right) and has completely taken over my life.I don't drink alcohol in case it makes me sick, and am vegetarian because I don't trust meat. I'm always very concious of what I eat when I go out, and when I'm at other peoples houses. I'm always scared to sleep at other people's houses in case I have an attack, and am even scared of sleeping in my own house sometimes - Christmas and New Year is a nightmare!


I didn't sleep at all last night because I felt slightly unwell and had got it into my head that I was going to be sick. I actually set in my bathroom for nearly two hours just in case. I left the door open in my bedroom in case I fell asleep then needed to make a bolt for it. Because I'm so tired I feel awful now, so as I type this I'm shaking, and have barely eaten anything all day because I'm so worried I'll make myself unwell. This happens every Christmas.


Next big hurdle is getting over a car journey tomorrow with my mum who often feels car sick (and isn't afraid of vocalising her feelings), an afternoon with my family who will be eating and drinking a lot, another car journey and then an evening with my father who often over indulges at this time of year.


What fun.


I'm sorry if I've bored you at all, it's just so good to share this stuff with people who understand!


I hope to speak with you all soon. Merry Christmas!


Jen. x