Anoerxia=Emetophobia?

[overload21]

I have been reading alot of posts and I have a theory. I wanted your imput on it.

I think that if you have emetophobia it turns into anorexia. And if you're not careful, it turns into a weight issue instead of a food issue. Also, if you dont have emetophobia, you may get it from anorexia. When you are recovering from anorexia and "re-feeding", you have terrible n* and v* many times.

See, when I was 5 I started having terrible panic attacks every night. This went on until I was ten. So for 5 years, every single night I would scream and cry and beg my parents to let me sleep in their beds. I was scared of ghosts, my family dying, getting in trouble for something bad I did...etc. I had one good year, that was when I was ten. I made a new best friend and I was so involved in that relationship that I didn't care aboiut anything else.

Then when I turned 11 my sister got a really bad sv and v*ed 20 times. I heard everytime. From that moment on I was n* and terrified of v*ing. I lived in constant sickness until I turnde 12. Then I started thinking, "If I don't eat, I wont throw up, and if I do throw up, at least I will lose weight". That turned into full blown anorexia. I struggled with it for years and still do to this day. Especially at times like now. When I weigh more than my "normal weight" should be.

Anyway, anorexia stopped because my momma threatened my life. I then went boy crazy, then pill crazy, then I cut myself alot. (I still have many big ugly scars from that, they are very noticable too! ) After cutting, I got pregnant with my son. I got pregnant 2 months before I turned 17. I got married a month after I turned 17 and had my son at the same age.

So basically, do you all think that there might be an addictive personality that goes along with emetophobia? Or that emet is just a cover up for some massive phobia we are repressing? I would love to get to the bottom of this because I can think of many phobias I would rather have then this one.

ANy input is welcome!! If you think I'm nuts, say so! I dont think you will but, it wont hurt my feelings. I've obviously been called that my whole life.

[pinogirl3321]

I lost a ton of weight from being a emet. I remember when it got real bad one year I was out of school for a month and people were so shocked how much weight I lost, I think they thought I had a eating disorder cause I lost so much weight in alittle time. I've gone under 85 pounds before. About 2 years ago I discovered wine, loved it and drank it almost everynight and I gained a ton of weight I got up to 115 or more at one time and stayed like that over a year, but I'll telll you I've never been so self conscience in my life when I gained that weight, I didn't want to go anymore, I didn't dress up, I just felt so depressed. Well I got over my little phase of drinking wine and I started to lose weight, and started to feel better about myself.. Then last November I had a pregnancy scare when I lost my birth control pills, and I freaked thinking I was pregnant I couldn't eat for over a month. I kinda got better after I found out I wasn't pregnant and started my period but then I kept reading peolpe getting pregnant on the pill so I freaked out again lost more weight down to 103... there were periods when I was ok to eat and there periods where I wasn't at all, especially when I went on vacation to Aruba with my boyfriends family, I hated being away fom home and family and I kept thinking what if I get sick and barely ate anything that whole trip!! So that got me down to about 92 pounds and I'm still at that my weight goes up and down though. And it scares me that I'll gain that weight back again but I would never starve myself or make myself V* cause of it, but I do know why I gained that weight in the first place was cause of the wine for sure, but I think everyone has problems with weight gain and it's normal, but it's not normal when you starve yourself or make yourself V* that's when you know you have a serious problem!

[x...RaChE...x]

I think I do have an addictive personality as I get addicted to random things e.g. tv programs and stuff like that... this then blocks out my emetophobia for a bit as all I care about is the thing I am obsessed about and life isn't worth living without it. My emetophobia is also based on need of control, anorexia is based on control...( I think it is sometimes) thats how I think they link...

[harmonygirl72]

I don't think that is always true. I have emetophobia and I am a bit overweight.

[overload21]

harmonygirl, do you eat when you're stressed? I am definately an emotional eater. If nobody has been sick and I am just scared of getting sick, I eat more! (weird I know) But if someone has been sick I eat less. Just wondering because I always thought it was wierd that I am terrified to v* but can still stuff myself silly when I;m afraid.

[x...RaChE...x]

I do that!!! It varies... sometimes when I am upset about my fear or something like that, I eat... but if I convince myself I am ill then start feeling sick even though its in my mind, I can't eat. Usually if I'm at home I can eat and just cant stop but when I go out I can't eat a thing... it's so annoying...

[harmonygirl72]

Yes! I eat when I am stressed! I can almost always eat! I am a picky eater, but I am almost never afraid to eat unless I feel very sick. I also LOVE to go out to eat, which I know is very rare for an emet. If I had the money, I would eat out every meal.

[amarkham01]

I am just as afraid of dry heaving as I am of v*ing I think so I am not afraid to eat "safe" foods. And "safe" foods happen to be the ones that make me fat. Ah well.

[ann32]

I dont have anorexia, I love to eat and I love to eat out and try all different types of things and I certaily dont have an addictive personality either...I am sure each of us has our own issues and theorys as to why we are like this...sometimes i wish i didnt eat so much hahaha, but I am not overweight at all...I just love food!

[dixy]

Interesting thread

I am definitely not anorexic. I love food too much!! I could link my eating so emotions.. I can binge on chocolate etc. I really dislike eating until I am full, especially at night.

Interesting you say emets can have addictive personalities. I would describe myself as that!! Luckily I have had the sense to keep away from drugs gambling etc.. I get hooked on computer games, tv programs, books etc Shame I cant get addicted to something that makes money!!!!

[crd08]

Maybe for some it's the case, but not all.

For me, I know it's not. I went through a phase where my IBS was really bad (my emet probably added to it, but I didn't know it was even a phobia yet!) I couldn't eat anything and wouldn't eat as I was sick of feelin sick. I went from a healthy 15 yr old girl to underweight. I lost it all in one month, which was just unhealthy. Rumors went around school I was annorexic and it really sucked. I couldn't see a doctor without them asking my mom (and they still do this, even just last week!) if I have an eating disorder. I work hard to keep my weight around 110-115 as that's where I like my body, but it sucks because eating just makes me feel crappy. I consider myself average in size, but when I turn down food like pizza (which bugs my stomach) I get the nasty comments.

I think some emets do have an addictive personality. I mean..we're addicted to washing our hands or searching our "symptoms" ect. Most have comforting things they are addicted to like mints or a certain drink. I think it's probably something that tags along with phobias.

[dixy]

For me, I know it's not. I went through a phase where my IBS was really bad (my emet probably added to it, but I didn't know it was even a phobia yet!) I couldn't eat anything and wouldn't eat as I was sick of feelin sick. I went from a healthy 15 yr old girl to underweight.

You have just described me 11 years ago!! I just thought it was IBS. I stopped eating meals and lost a lot of weight... I had lots of comments about how good I looked..but when I looke at old pictures of myself, it just brings back my bad emet memories. I may have looked all skinny, but it certainly wasnt happy times!

I am much better these days. I still have trouble eating big meals in the evening, but I don't have the constant n* I used to have. IBS is still there..

Life will get better for you...it did for me

[wren]

I think both disorders stem from a very similar control issue.... You want to control what goes in, and what comes out.
I have had both anorexia and emetophobia, and while one certainly never tied in with the other (emetophobia started around 5 or so...the anorexia when I was 15) the panic that I've felt while seeing someone V* feels very much the same as the panic that I've felt when I've put on weight.

[elizam]

It wasn't true for me.

I was dragged to the doctor and had therapy for anorexia nervosa (which was actually emetophobia, but I had no idea about emet at the time) and it didn't help me at all. I kept telling them I wasn't afraid of gaining weight or of food itself, I was afraid of getting sick. Of course they didn't believe me. For me the two are completely unrelated.

I think we do tend to have similar personalities, we like to be/feel in control, we tend to be sensitive and very intelligent (this is according to my therapist), and we are perfectionists. I think people who tend toward emet can also tend toward eating disorders and OCD, but I don't think that one necessarily automatically leads to the other.

[overload21]

Thanks for all of the feedback! I have really liked reading all of the comments. I just wondered how many people who are emet (on this site) are also or have also been anorexic. I know that I have a very extreme thinking mind, so it's always all or nothing, there is no half-way. And when I get hooked on one thing, that is THE thing I focus on. So if I have heard of someone being sick, that's the thing. I don't know, maybe all of my theory is just how it happened for me???

[ChibiGaku]

Hmmm....well maybe not always true.

But I've lost weight having emet. I'm 1.61 centimetres tall and my weight is 43 kilos. My max weight have been 48 kilos. When I go to school I barely don't eat anything at all, so I'm losing more and more...

[tman563]

Emetophobia can definitely cause anorexia, OR anorexia-like symptoms. More often it's just the symptoms and not actual anorexia. The difference is in the reason for not eating. Just because you hardly eat, does not mean you are anorexic, unless the purpose for not eating is to avoid gaining weight.

But very insightful, good thoughts

[Schapiro88]

I've suffered from both, unfortunately, and I think that in certain situations they can be linked, but of course that's not always true for everyone.
The eating disorder came first, in 8th grade. I've always been freaked out by s* people and things of that sort, but it was never nearly as bad as it is now, and it had nothing to do with the eating disorder. I just became obsessive about my weight, mostly due to jealousy of the other girls in school.
Ironically, as the eating disorder faded (about a year and a half to two years ago) the phobia began to really kick in.

Honestly, I think it might be a control issue for me. Control of my weight...and when you get s* it's something you can't fully control, and I'm guessing that's why it freaks me out so much. I've realized in the past two years that when I'm in a situation that I can't find a way out of or have some escape from, if I theoretically would need it, I tend to get really anxious.

[angelofdespair]

Iv been told i have an eating disorder but i dont think it started out cos of the emit.. well i dunno.. however i also self harm (cut myself, od ect) and i tend to self harm wghen im scared because of emit.. as well as other times.. why i decide to od when im scared il be s* i dont know but my eating disorder is about control.. as emit is lack of control so maybe they are related.. i tihnk il shut up now:P

[tman563]

angel, they most definitely are related. A lot of peoples emet stems from fear of losing control over your body. Good observation!

[keeponestepahead]

It wasn't true for me.

I was dragged to the doctor and had therapy for anorexia nervosa (which was actually emetophobia, but I had no idea about emet at the time) and it didn't help me at all. I kept telling them I wasn't afraid of gaining weight or of food itself, I was afraid of getting sick. Of course they didn't believe me. For me the two are completely unrelated.

I think we do tend to have similar personalities, we like to be/feel in control, we tend to be sensitive and very intelligent (this is according to my therapist), and we are perfectionists. I think people who tend toward emet can also tend toward eating disorders and OCD, but I don't think that one necessarily automatically leads to the other.

It's interesting and heartbreaking that trained professionals did not respond to your complaints. How long did you tell them that your issue was not body image but fear? I think the psychiatric system as it is has some problems. The 'medication management' industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and those companies are more concerned with selling than solving. Granted, I still believe medicine can be a huge help to those who need it, but the system is so large it is difficult to address any one problem. The foremost thing counselors and doctors need to do is listen. A book-based approach to a human problem is detrimental.

[kyphie]

I struggle terribly with anorexia that is secondary to my emetophobia. Not anorexia nervosa. I love food, cooking and eating when I'm doing well is one of my favorite things to do. I would love to be able to gain weight. But everytime I feel like I'm going to start getting ahead someone tells me they had the *sv or I hear about norovirus or I get a funny feeling in my stomach and I simply stop eating. It's terrible and right now it's at it's all time worst. I'm eating barely enough to stay alive. I'm getting VERY worried. I wish I could beat this phobia and just be healthy.

[Jill in Apartment 413]

Just wanted to say that I was originally diagnosed with annorexia (I was 105 pounds at my lowest and I am five foot nine!) but when I explained to the specialist (a leading specialist in his field in my state) he said that it was definitely my emetophobia doing it and that it's classified as an eating disorder too. Anything that modifies your food intake is an eating disorder. *Shrugs*

[afraid213]

anorexia is a disease that means you are not happy with your body weigh or size. nothing to do with emetophobia. ive had people ask if im anorexic. but no im perfectly fine with my body. im just scared to eat

[keeponestepahead]

As Kyphie pointed out, there is a distinction between clinical anorexia (not eating) and anorexia nervosa (a disorder). Despite the fact that I am overweight, I sometimes fear eating certain foods or too much food, thinking they will make me sick. Seems to be a common problem with emetophobics and it's not usually connected with body issues, bu those may be present.

[Jill in Apartment 413]

My sister has anorexia nervosa, and I can totally see a difference between me not eating cause I think I'll v* as opposed to her when she thinks that a salad will make her bloated and ugly (even though she's far from fat and bad looking) but people don't understand that we FEAR food, it has nothing to do with weight. Back when I was 100 pounds I was just SCARED to eat, had nothing to do with me wanting to gain/lose weight.

[TiredofFear]

This is an interesting thread. I actually posted not too long ago with my story and being misdiagnosed with anorexia. I'll repost:

I started with this fear when I was 7 years old. This fear is said to come from a traumatic experience as a child, and I had that experience when I was 7. My dad got sick three times. The first time I recall how loud it was, and the second time, he was sitting next to me on the couch when he almost got sick on the floor. This terrified me, and I have since been scared of getting sick.

When I was 9 years old, I was diagnosed with IBS. This, of course, only exacerbated things. My life has never been the same since. I've had stomach pain, diahrrea, nausea, etc. The latest is often constipation. When I was 9, I also began getting strep throat frequently. By the time I was 10, I had to have my tonsils and adenoids removed. I had severe sinus problems and would get colds frequently. Between it all, I was often late and missed a lot of school.

It began to get worse my eighth grade year in school. The IBS, which is sometimes worse than others, was particularly bad that year. I was terrified of throwing up, so I didn't want to eat much. I was late for school and often missed. The teachers weren't understanding, sometimes embarrasing me in front of the entire class for being absent. They thought I was merely faking when nothing could be further from the truth.

This sadly continued into high school. My Mom finally made an appointment with a GI doctor. They said my main problem was that I needed to gain weight. They also diagnosed me with anxiety and depression. They told me to additionally see a nutritionist and a psychologist. I started off at 67 lbs and began to gain weight. Then, a week before I was going to go on vacation the following summer, I got a SV. I got sick one time after being nauseous for 12 or so hours, and it was very traumatic. I managed to overcome it, started eating, and I started my sophmore year. I ended up reaching 87 lbs before downspiraling. I maintained the weight but stopped gaining. The anxiety and depression were so bad that year that I missed more school than I ever had. Some teachers were extremely frustrated, and I was afraid to ask them for my work when I got back.

Junior year went well. Senior year once again lead to a lot of tardies and absences but was an ok year. This brings me to college.

I finally decided on a college. I went for my first three days, and over the weekend, I started with a SV. I got sick one time, but I was so exhausted and weak from my low weight, that I knew I couldn't go back to school. The following spring, I got a SV, got sick three times, and went in the hospital. They got me set on a parth where I began to gain a little weight.

The past four years have been spent battling anxiety and depression, severe emetophobia, and IBS. I have been hospitalized a couple additional times because the low weight has caused problems with my blood pressure and heart rate. The problem is that the hospital tries to treat me for anorexia, and they will not work with my IBS and emetophobia. Their anorexia program involves eating (sometimes large quantities) of food and drinking fluids every few hours. You have to do it within a 30 minute time period, and you can't go to the bathroom for an hour after you finished eating. They refused to bend the policy which lead me to checking out both times against medical advice. The thing was that there was a time when I was a bit afraid of gaining weight because I was so used to being underweight, that I didn't get fat, but it was never full blown anorexia, and I now want to gain weight more than ever.

This past summer, I had managed to gain 8 pounds which was sadly ruined because in October, I got another SV, but I was fortunate to have anti-emetics. I still had severe nausea for three days, and the thought of me not having had those pills terrifies me. Since then, the IBS and emetophobia have been back with a vengeance. I'm terrified that I'll get a SV, and I often think I have one when I don't. I have since lost the weight I gained over the summer, and I am nauseous everyday. It's again affecting my heart and blood pressure.

[TiredofFear]

It wasn't true for me.

I was dragged to the doctor and had therapy for anorexia nervosa (which was actually emetophobia, but I had no idea about emet at the time) and it didn't help me at all. I kept telling them I wasn't afraid of gaining weight or of food itself, I was afraid of getting sick. Of course they didn't believe me. For me the two are completely unrelated.

Same here. The doctors I was seeing at the hospital did not believe me. I kept telling them that I have emetophobia and not anorexia. Their anorexia intreatment program did help because it required you to eat sometimes large amounts of food within 30 minutes or be forced to drink 2 Boost shakes. Then, you couldn't use the bathroom for an hour after you ate. With IBS and emet, that made me a nervous wreck. I kept telling them they were addressing the wrong thing, but they would not listen.

My doctor I am seeing now does believe me which is good, but she still hasn't found a solution to the nausea.

[TiredofFear]

It's interesting and heartbreaking that trained professionals did not respond to your complaints. How long did you tell them that your issue was not body image but fear? I think the psychiatric system as it is has some problems. The 'medication management' industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and those companies are more concerned with selling than solving. Granted, I still believe medicine can be a huge help to those who need it, but the system is so large it is difficult to address any one problem. The foremost thing counselors and doctors need to do is listen. A book-based approach to a human problem is detrimental.

I agree with you that a book-based approach is detrimental as everyone is different. I honestly think most doctors don't know what emetophobia is. They don't learn about it in med school, and there is little research into treatments. When they see low weight in young people, they are trained to suspect anorexia. If you say you don't have anorexia, that doesn't mean much to them because they are trained that people with anorexia will deny it. When you tell them you have emetophobia, they look at you with a blank stare. I've had to explain to every single doctor I've seen what emetophobia is. Now some believe me, but they don't really know anything about it. I've had to explain to the different psychologists as well, and they have been powerless to treat it. It's frustrating. I really wish there was more awareness of this fear throughout the medical profession.

[x...RaChE...x]

I totally agree... no-one knows about it unless you actually have it therefore researched it eg. you admit to your friend you are anorexic, they sympathise talk to you about it... you tell your friend you are emetophobic "whats that???" you tell them... "yeh I hate it too... if someone throws up I'll throw up aswell"...I guess emetophobias difficult to understand uless you have it...