Several people have asked about this 'Emetophobia' I claim to suffer from. I probably should not have used that word to define my fear of vomit. So, for those of you that don't know Emetophobia is the irrational fear of vomiting, being around others who are vomiting, and/or the vomit itself. I cannot say that a doctor, or therapist has ever used this exact word in describing my fears...but it seems to make sense. Years back I looked up 'the fear of vomit' and this is what came up so I assumed I had it.
Long and short of it is as a little girl I developed this fear, the fear of vomit - seeing people vomit, that I would vomit in public. I was more afraid that someone near me would get sick and then I in turn would get sick. For some reason I connected this fear to eating in restaurants, it did occur in other places, at other times, but for the most part it was restaurants that I strayed from. In the third grade I broke my arm pretty bad, it all started then. For several years I refused to eat in restaurants, if the family went, I didn't eat, or I would completely 'freak out'. Knowing what I know now, this 'freak out' was a full fledged panic attack. My parents couldn't understand what I was going through, I didn't understand either. So I went to different doctors, mostly psychologists....we played Parcheesi a lot when I went there, that's all I really remember.
As the years went on the fear seemed to lesson, I could eat out in restaurants without having panic. I still had a fear of throwing up. If someone got sick at school, or anywhere near me I avoided the area like the plague - still do to be honest. I went through high school with no major attacks, head off to college and seemed to be good. Funny as it was I ended up working in a restaurant in Eugene, and stayed in the 'profession' for 10 years. Once in a blue moon someone would get sick, again, I would avoid it. I would NEVER be the one to clean up the customers mess, someone else would always do it. I managed to make it through with out mishaps.
I still have this fear, although it has gotten better with age. I still hate throwing up, and if anyone ever says they feel sick I immediately ask 'Are you going to throw up?'. If someone is sick I stay clear, I am not one to 'hold your hair'. I am very scared to fly, they have puke bags everywhere! I have never witnessed one being used and I hope I never do. To this day I don't ever want someone to hear or see me get sick, I turn on music really loud if I think I might get sick.
SO, I hope this clears up my self diagnosed 'emetophobia'. If you are ever feel pukey, please stay away. :)
Long and short of it is as a little girl I developed this fear, the fear of vomit - seeing people vomit, that I would vomit in public. I was more afraid that someone near me would get sick and then I in turn would get sick. For some reason I connected this fear to eating in restaurants, it did occur in other places, at other times, but for the most part it was restaurants that I strayed from. In the third grade I broke my arm pretty bad, it all started then. For several years I refused to eat in restaurants, if the family went, I didn't eat, or I would completely 'freak out'. Knowing what I know now, this 'freak out' was a full fledged panic attack. My parents couldn't understand what I was going through, I didn't understand either. So I went to different doctors, mostly psychologists....we played Parcheesi a lot when I went there, that's all I really remember.
As the years went on the fear seemed to lesson, I could eat out in restaurants without having panic. I still had a fear of throwing up. If someone got sick at school, or anywhere near me I avoided the area like the plague - still do to be honest. I went through high school with no major attacks, head off to college and seemed to be good. Funny as it was I ended up working in a restaurant in Eugene, and stayed in the 'profession' for 10 years. Once in a blue moon someone would get sick, again, I would avoid it. I would NEVER be the one to clean up the customers mess, someone else would always do it. I managed to make it through with out mishaps.
I still have this fear, although it has gotten better with age. I still hate throwing up, and if anyone ever says they feel sick I immediately ask 'Are you going to throw up?'. If someone is sick I stay clear, I am not one to 'hold your hair'. I am very scared to fly, they have puke bags everywhere! I have never witnessed one being used and I hope I never do. To this day I don't ever want someone to hear or see me get sick, I turn on music really loud if I think I might get sick.
SO, I hope this clears up my self diagnosed 'emetophobia'. If you are ever feel pukey, please stay away. :)
