Panic attack for hours over this (graphic) and food safety question.

[jadeshine]

So last night I packed my lunch for work. I cut up onions and cucumbers and put them in a container, and cut up tomatoes and put them in a bag so they wouldn't make the cucumbers and onions all mushy. When I opened the bag of tomatoes to put into the cucumber salad it was really foamy, which I thought was strange, but my biggest concern was having cut up produce in the fridge over night and then eating it. Is that safe? I'm trying to introduce more raw veggies in my diet, so I'm not too sure about the safety of that.

Also, had a huge panic attack that has lasted three hours now. I was walking to work, about a fifteen minute walk from the train I take, and I hear an extremely loud noise that almost sounded like a dog fight. I was looking around, and then as I walked further (graphic) I saw a guy on the sidewalk v*ing like I've never seen before. It was intense and he was retching louder than I've ever heard before, and he did it so many times in a row, it was disgusting. He was groaning and cursing and just kept v* and retching over and over again. I plugged my ears and walked as fast as I could down the busy street in my heels, but I kept hearing it blocks away. It scared me so bad that I'm still in a panic over it, plus the anxiety about the veggie salad I ate.

[Venustraphobia]

If your salad tasted normal, then it was fresh and safe. Storing cut up vegetables overnight in the fridge is totally safe. If anything tastes strange, and I mean, like, really strange, then don't eat it, but if it tastes normal then it's good for you. Now, that sick man on the street was not you. You're fine. He was outdoors, he didn't kiss you or share any food/drinks with you. You're not going to be sick. Breathe. You're totally healthy. I've noticed that guys v* a lot more than girls, and when they do, it's always bigger and louder and more disgusting. He's probably just hung over or ate something that was a little off. Maybe he has a migraine. If he does, by rare chance, have a sv*, you didn't have any contact with this guy that would allow any sort of virus into your body. You're fine and healthy. Breathe.

[jadeshine]

I didn't think I would get sick from him because he was far enough away, but it scared me so bad, seeing and hearing it. Thanks for your reply.

[chixy]

I worked at a stable for the whole last summer, i almost only made salads (i'm a vegetarian) to bring for lunch. I, just like you, prepared my lunch box the night before and then i brought it to the stable which was about 30 minutes away on a bus and then a 10 minute walk in raging heat to then be put in a barely cold fridge for a couple of hours before i ate it. Probably doesn't sound very safe at all () but i never got sick or had any problems what so ever with my stomach. Seriously, they easily last a night in the fridge, no problem!
I can totally understand your response the guy v*ing, the part i fear the most is the whole heaving/gagging/burping etc part so i totally get you. It's good to be exposed though, at least for me, normally i freak out majorly during the event and in the immediate future but i can almost always rationalize it afterwards which i think is great! Reliving it is also good for "exposure".

[staystrongxx]

The vegetables should be fine I am sure many people cut up vegetables and put them in the refrigerator for easier access when they want to have some. My family does that with fruit sometimes.

As for the guy v*ing, I can't even imagine how terrifying that was... Last year I was in a psychiatric hospital and a guy there was v*ing violently, loudly, and yelling along with it because he was detoxing. It was purely terrifying. Hate those noises

[Cynna]

Sometimes we can get a sort of ptsd reaction where it replays. It should fade real soon. Beiber's puke video did that to me and brought me to ies. I am doing better now.

Vegies are good. I read CNN or NBC health sections daily to keep abreast of any recalls. No vegie recalls that I am aware of right now.

HUGS

[julybabe]

I agree with the other members and feel that the ready prepared salad should be just fine. I often prepare a salad for lunch the night before and have never had any problems. As for the other topic, I can understand how this would have been a distressing experience for you. In fact a lot of people who do not have this phobia would have found this experience unpleasant, I don't know of anyone who would not experience a reaction to this, the only difference is that you have experienced an exaggerated (sp?) response due to your phobia and anxiety, those who do not have this phobia would probably not have a panic attack from having seen this. It is likely that you perceived this as a threat and as a result your flight/fight response kicked in and you experienced a panic attack. Before starting treatment I would only have to think I heard someone v* for a panic attack to kick in. You are not likely to be in any danger of becoming ill from this event, but I know that even the sound of v* can * make a person feel they might v* themselves even if they do not have the phobia, and of course for an emet this is a very distressing experience. Try to put this out of your mind now by distracting yourself so that your mind is focussed elsewhere.