My mum is ill and I’m terrified

[kittykat]

First off, Hello I'm new here : ).


My name's Claire, I'm 21 and I live near London.


I have had this vommiting phobia literally since I was born, I remember quite clearly as a kid feeling exactly this way. I have a history of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder, both of which I have received therapy for and am on Prozac to help control. It's not too bad now, I barely even think about it.. accept for times like now!!!


Its so stupid, and I feel so selfish, but I can't help it. Basically, my mum started being sick and having diareoa (sorry, not sure of spelling) about 2pm today. She has a history of stomach problems so at first I put it down to that and therefore nothing 'catching'. However, I am literally hearing her running to the bathroom and being sick every 15 mins or so. My dad spoke to the doctor on the phone, and he said it was probably a virus "which is going round" -The exact words that fill me with dread!!


Since then, I have literally isolated myself in my bedroom, and thanfully we have another bathroom which I have moved all my products into. Although it took so much courage and alot of post-cleansing to actually go into the "sick" bathroom to get it.
I am so scared I am going to catch it. I feel like this every single time a "bug" goes round. I hate it, and I feel like I'm a time-bomb just waiting... to see if I'm ill as well or not. I keep obsessing over everthing I've touched which *may* be "contanimated" and I'm convinced I must have slipped up somewhere and ingested the germ. I'm terrified!


It's 8pm and I haven't eaten since midday. I know I need to I just can't bare the thought of going into the kitchen and risking contaminating myself. I'm somehow figuring out what food I can eat which won't require any hand-touching.


As for tonight, I am seriously tempted to stay at my boyfriend's house, but at the same time I'm scared I'll get ill, and I don't want to be ill away from home. urgh, the dilemma!! Either way, I do think I'll go out to the cinema with him tonight, I think it will help to think about something else.


Right now, I'm just kinda frozen to my computer, endlessly searching about "norovirus" and vommiting. I don't know what else to do! It's so horrible, my dad on the other hand is just carrying on happily as always.... Here I am, just worrying about me, when I should be thinking about my poor mum. It's so stupid.


Sorry about my ranting, this place is the only place where I know I will be understood!


Will keep you updated......


Claire xx

[Carolee]

Hi Claire...I am carolee, and I am really glad you came to the site, you can find alot of support here...Just remember you are staying away from her, has she been out of her bedroom, and bathroom? Like has she even gone into the kitchen to spread germs? Th egood news is you have 2 bathrooms...there have been posts where they have to share a bathroom with th eperson being sick an dhaven't gotten it...Keep washin gyour hands...and I know how this phobia can play tricks on your brain ( did I wahs my hands well enough? Have I touched something, did i put my hands near my face? ) it is a terrible fear to have and we all understand that here, how are you doing now? how is your mom doing? is it possible mayub eshe ate something that was bad? Or do you feel this is sv?

[kittykat]

Hi Carolee,


THANK YOU for your kind reply. It really has made me feel abit better. Especially about the bathroom thing : )
I can't tell you how grateful I am for the 2nd bathroom! And its good to know that others who had to share (I bow down to you!) didn't get it.


I've just finished eating some pasta and I'm going to go round to my boyfriend's house to watch a film, I think it will help. He wants me to stay over but I'll just see how my anxiety goes.


I'm pretty sure its a SV she has, she is vegetarian and hasn't eaten anything suspicious in the last 24 hours.


Thanks again for your reply. its feels so good to know they're are others who know how I feel.


Hope everyone is doing well!

[Carolee]

Have fun and keep us updated and come back if you feel nervous or any anxiety...if your bf lives near you and could take you home at any time maybe that would make you feel better about staying ta his house, or could he maybe stay at your house? then you have the comfort of you rown home but also alittle more support there...

[lizzo]

Hope you're doing okay, and I hope you mom feels better soon. Keep us updated.

xx

[dreamer]

Hi Claire, welcome to the site. You came to the right place, the boards are very active and there's always plenty of support!


There's no guarantee you'll get your mum's sv. (if that's what it is) I've got 2 children who both get sv*s, and I've dealt with their v* on a regular basis without catching anything!


I hope your mum feels better soon and that it's nothing infectious. Keep us posted and remember, we all know how you feel!