The subconscious, psychological affects of emetophobia

[Sam_]

I've heard that its possible to be so afraid to v, so determined not to do it, that the part of your brain that controls the act of v actually sort of shuts down, so that times where you might need to v, you will not, which is why emets will often go 10, 15, 20+ years without v, because we are so afraid, that we subconsciously won't let ourselves do it. **slightly graphic** for example, I was once so sick and I kept gagging and dry heaving but refusing to v, and I finally tried to just give up and do it but I couldn't. I was trying to force myself to v while in the act of gagging and I couldn't. That was the only time I ever came close to v in 16 years. Any opinions?

[bluebell242]

just hope it's not impossible for me to v* if i have to. :S apparently there's no research or evidence or anything to suggest it would be, though obviously I've held back to a great level more than most would even be able to or comprehend probably!

[Valen*]

I completely believe everything u said. I haven't V* in almost 16 yrs. And i also did read somewhere that there's a vomiting centre in the brain that controls it. So, when ppl say "sometimes u just cant help it.. its a reflex of your stomach", I just wanna tell them they're wrong. lol. But yeah, I have decided Im not a V*ing person, so I just wont do it.

[emet-ana]

It's funny I believe that the vomit reflex can be suppressed but I've read quite a few papers that suggesting it cannot.

I would say that even with my emetophobia I have been sick quite a few times- often shaking and trying to suppress it but unable. The last time I caught bad gastro though I did seem to be able to suppress it (everyone else in my family threw up with it but I just had d* and felt like I would) by shaking, lying flat etc and other times I have taken an anti-emetic to prevent it.

I'm not sure if the link between having emetophobia and going for a long period of time without vomiting is because of the ability to suppress being sick or it could be because we avoid risky situations where we could catch sickness bugs or because perhaps for some reason there is a higher incidence of immunity to certain infections among emets (for example perhaps if you are a non-secretor and have never caught norovirus and the only memory you have of being ill was when you were very young and at the time it was very traumatic then this perpetuates your emetophobia).

xx

[ButtonsMom]

Hmm, I'v always wondered this myself as well. I used to be sure it was mind/matter thing, and for the most part I really do think it is. I was on a 15 year streak, when I randomly had horrible stomach pains that lasted all day-oddly I wasn't overly anxious and worked the whole time. At the end of the day they got really intense and I felt that I might actually be sick-or rather, I really should be. So I decided to "power" through it and keep my mind busy with closing work activities. The pain eventually got so bad, that I had a moment where I remember saying to myself, "ok, if this really truly needs to happen, I will let it", and I shut my brain off to any other thoughts and let my body take over. Needless to say, it happened and was over so quickly before I even had time to process it. I was a little shaky afterwards but also felt very proud of myself for surviving! I had a couple other "episodes" later that night at home, and made it through just fine. I actually called all my close friends to "brag" and felt so free afterwards. Now I'm a lot better dealing with "it" when I'm home alone. Public is still an issue for me though. :/

[jbsmom]

I cant say for sure that i believe in this theory. Since there isnt any science to back it up I will say that I am cautiously optimistic. If this is true then i am kind of happy. I try not to do things that would cause myself the NEED to get rid of stuff inside my body. Should the need arise I dont see why it would hurt to let it come out the other end.
I will share an incident where I had difficulty making it come out. I had apparently caught a little bug during the summer one year, I had nausea off the charts! i even had dizziness. I went to the ER cause I did not think it could be a bug in JUNE! While i was there I had the crazy idea that if i went ahead and did it then i wouldnt have to fight it anymore. I literally had to force myself to V. I gagged and coughed until it finally came. Then, the second episode it came on its own. I didnt have to make it. So maybe there is something to this idea!