Anyone else have a phobia of throwing up? I need reinforcement...

Its stomach bug season, clearly.  I feel so incredibly trapped.  Ive had a fear of vomitting since I was 2 years old and its sooo debilitating to me. Im only 18 and cannot live my life because im so stopped by this phobia.  Is there anyone else out there who has this? I feel so alone, but I know im not. Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with it? Anyone on medication/have coping techniques that work? Im currently taking Pristiq 100mg which is the worst medication I have ever been on.  I have an appointment to switch meds tomorrow.

[littlebit667]

I researched this for another person on this site (she is 12) and found that therapy is needed to help.  There are some self-help things that will help as well.  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emetophobia

[tschock]

I'm with you kiddo.
I will do EVERYTHING in my power to stop myself from vomiting.
Scares the bejeepers out of me. Give me broken bones, diarrhea, anything but THAT.
Then again I have OCD...I wash my hands...a lot! I avoid germs as best as I can so that IT doesn't happen.

I don't have any suggestions, but I thought I would at least reach out to you to let you know that you aren't alone with this one.

[littlebit667]

often OCD and fear of throwing up goes together.  There are medications and therapy combos that might help.  gotta reach out to get the help.  Join support groups online or in your area to start.  Good luck.

[tschock]

Really? I had no idea...it's amazing how doctors and therapists fail to tell people about things like this.
I have learned more on this site about all of my medical problems than I have from the doctors who diagnose me and try to shove pills down my throat. lol

Most doctors become very upset if you mention that you learned something on line...but where else do you learn? They tell you that you have some sort of illness, they give you the name, perhaps a prescription, and push you out the door.
Then they get frustrated when you go back week after week with some other symptom and they tell you it's all a part of your original illness.
Like I'm supposed to automatically know ALL of the symptoms of a certain disease just because you gave me a name for it? Ugh! lol
Like OCD for instance...I thought that the only "weird" thing I did was wash my hands a lot.
Then it became quite clear that having to have all of the cupboard doors closed, drawers closed, and towels folded a certain way were a part of it.
I had NO idea that a fear of vomiting was part of it as well.
I'm going over to that forum now to learn more. lol
Thanks!

[j17c27]

The people on this site has helped me way more than any doctor.  They go by books, but we go by experience.  I personally do not have OCD.. but i can certainly see how that and the fear of vomitting (emetophobia) can go hand in hand!

[littlebit667]

Good for you, knowledge is power!  Keep fighting the good fight!

[stillamommasgrl]

I don't know mine is a true phobia, but I certainly have a very real fear of throwing up also.  I just found out recently (from my psychiatrist) that it is related to my OCD, as littlebit667 mentioned.  I take medication for the OCD, and it seems to really help, but I still hate to throw up just as bad as ever.  I agree whole heartily with tschock: give me broken bones, diarrhea, anything but THAT.  I will choose to be miserable instead of "just getting it over with so I will feel better" as I am so often encouraged to do by by my loved ones.  
People think I am afraid of roller coasters and rides like that, but the rides themselves don't bother me at all. I'm not afraid of getting hurt or dying even.  What terrifies me is the possibility that the ride will make me sick to my stomach and I will throw up.  I know, it's kinda sad but it is what it is.  It's nice to know that on one level, at least, I'm not so different from other people.
By the way tschock, I too have a need for closed drawers and cupboards, oh, and closet doors too, and I have to do all of our laundry myself because I like it done a certain way and that includes folding the towels a certain way.  I call it "just wanting things done right" hmm...do you think I could have a problem with rationalization as well?  
Has anyone every heard of someone (ok, it's me) needing their children's diapers put on with the sticky tabs in the same place on both sides of the diaper and at least 1 finger,but not more than 2 worth of  "give", or space between the diaper and child so they are comfy? (that's what I told everyone and myself, that it needed to be that way for the baby's comfort, but I was informed by my psychiatrist that it was the OCD) I'd still like to think I had my baby's best interest at heart though.
I bet everyone feels a lot less weird now, right?

[stillamommasgrl]

oops, I hit the button too soon...What I intended to put in the previous post was:  I do take medication for the OCD, as I mentioned, but if it was supposed to help with the fear of throwing up than maybe it isn't helping as much as I thought.  I still will not get on a ride that might make me sick and I can only fly commercially with a light sedative and I only do it when I have to. (Isn't driving more fun anyway?) I guess I just looked at those things as "choices" I was making and then I came up with a rationalization for those "choices" so I wasn't able to see them as being limiting.  Maybe I need to take another look at things and the "choices" I am making and the real reasons behind them because I would hate to hold my family back from doing something because I'm afraid of puking.  Thanks to all of you for giving me a little insight into myself and things I might need to work on and good luck to you all.