Nervous, 18, and going to college this year

[rachelannalise]

So I'm a senior in high school, and I've had emetophobia for about 6 or 7 years and really have yet to do anything about it. It's gotten slightly better over the past year, but I still get pretty anxious and worked up over this stuff. I'm going to college in the fall and am honestly really worried about having roommates (where I'm going I will most likely have 5) and the partying and sickness that I know will end up happening… I'm not gonna know what to do when one of them comes homes in the middle of the night super drunk and is getting sick all over the place… One of my huge problems is that I get really anxious especially at night about the people in my house getting sick. If I am sharing a room with someone who is 5 feet from me I know it's going to get worse again and I'll be up worrying especially if earlier in the day they said they felt sick or something. I'm just looking for advice or support from anyone who's gone through this or people who are also up late at night worrying. Also, do I tell my roommates? I'm just trying to figure all this out before I leave...

[arried]

So I'm a senior in high school, and I've had emetophobia for about 6 or 7 years and really have yet to do anything about it. It's gotten slightly better over the past year, but I still get pretty anxious and worked up over this stuff. I'm going to college in the fall and am honestly really worried about having roommates (where I'm going I will most likely have 5) and the partying and sickness that I know will end up happening… I'm not gonna know what to do when one of them comes homes in the middle of the night super drunk and is getting sick all over the place… One of my huge problems is that I get really anxious especially at night about the people in my house getting sick. If I am sharing a room with someone who is 5 feet from me I know it's going to get worse again and I'll be up worrying especially if earlier in the day they said they felt sick or something. I'm just looking for advice or support from anyone who's gone through this or people who are also up late at night worrying. Also, do I tell my roommates? I'm just trying to figure all this out before I leave...

I am in my second year of college and I was in the same situation as you last year. I've been emetophobic as long as I can remember. Probably since I was five years old. I was really scared to go away to school because dorms are notorious for being unclean and of course all of the alcohol-induced sickness. It terrified me. The best thing I did though was talk to my roommates and friends about it. I basically just told them all like "hey I have this ridiculously huge fear of v*. You'll probably notice because I've got a bunch of weird quirks and rituals and stuff to try to prevent myself from getting sick" and stuff like that. My roommate was super understanding about it. This year I live in a suite with five other girls, and they are all also super understanding. If someone is going to get sick from alcohol, they make sure to tell me to plug my ears and leave asap. They also always avoid me when they're sick. Honestly, if your roommates are even remotely nice people, you will be totally fine! I'm sure they will understand and help you in every way that they can Don't let this fear get in the way of enjoying your college experience! Also, if you ever want to talk, you can message me. Since we are close in age, it may be good for us to be able to talk!

[Katie Favia]

Hey,

I am also in my second year of college. My school has the largest greek system in the world, so drinking is a huge thing (I personally don't). It is not as bad as I imagined it would be going in. People are usually smart about watching how much they drink, and getting to the toilet if they are bad. Girls are less sloppy than guys too, and don't usually drink to oblivion and make a mess. Just be diligent about washing your hands and such during flu season. I shared a common bathroom with over 20 girls last year, and never got sick. My roommate has always been understanding. Try to get involved at your school and keep yourself busy, so that you have less time to dwell over your fear Like the poster above said, you can ask me any questions you have about college.

[Mila]

I did 7 years of uni in total and never got sick in those years, despite sharing toilets and 1 (!) shower with up to 30 people. Back then I was not smart enough to tell others about it, I felt embarrassed, but in the last few years I have and my current roommate knows that I have it. She was sick once since we moved here a year and a half ago (probably alcohol, she claims it wasn't, but I am pretty sure it was) and she managed to be incredibly quiet and discreet and bleached everything immediately after. I am a very light sleeper and didn't even wake up.

Everyone has been really understanding, trying not to bring it up much in conversation, letting me know when I should or shouldn't come visit, etc... it has been a very "easy coming out" so to speak.

So I would recommend telling your roommates, maybe having some rules (if someone is unwell, they let you know so you can maybe have a sleep over at a friends' house, etc). About the drinking, I don't and never have and nobody cares. As long as I am still fun... why should they? Plus I make a really cheap date!

Uni life is so much fun (hence me sticking to it for that long), and it really is not full of unwell drunkards... it is full of adventures and smart people you wouldn't meet anywhere else.

[yourjedi]

I would definitely recommend telling your roommates, once you’re properly acquainted with them – not right away. Give all of you time to adjust to each other. If they ask about specifics once you tell them, show them this website and information about it! They should be understanding.

I am almost done with my second year of college, but I live in an apartment. My boyfriend, though, lives in the dorms, and he has never had an issue with people getting sick there. No outbreaks, and his roommates are pretty clean. One did get sick once (from alcohol) and he stayed in the bathroom the entire night, and even bleached afterwards, just in case. You can take comfort in the fact that the majority of people in college v* because of drinking too much – not anything you can possibly catch. Colleges don’t want a noro outbreak, and from what I understand, they are great about keeping things clean.

If your roommates were to ever fall ill, not all hope is lost. By this time, you should be fairly close with your roommate – at least comfortable enough with her that she knows about your phobia. Tell her to take proper precautions regarding you, like keeping hygiene up, bleaching the bathroom after she uses it, etc. Give her your number and tell her to tell you in advance, if going somewhere else is an option. But, if you have to stay there, you will be okay. College is an amazing experience, don’t let this phobia get in the way!