Emetophobia Help

Hi! My name's Grace, I'm a (mostly recovered) emetophobic and movie buff, and I'm trying to build up a small personal database of emetophobia warnings in film and television, as well as provide some resources for emetophobia and anxiety. I will censor the word "v*" and all of its alternate forms, and ask you to do the same in submissions/asks you want me to publish. I personally am not triggered by any words so if you're sending me a personal message don't worry about censoring! I of course must mention emetophobiahelp.tumblr.com, who is the primary online source for emet warnings. I just want to build a blog that is slightly more user friendly and easier to browse when looking for movie suggestions. Please message me with any questions, concerns, submissions, or if you want to be made a member of the blog so you can help me out with posts. Don't be afraid to say hi, I'm very nice! - Grace

[emethelp]

Blog Update

Hey guys! People seem to still be finding this blog, despite my not being active in a while!  If anyone is interested in getting added to the blog to help out, let me know.  While I may occasionally check messages, I can’t guarantee a timely response unfortunately.

(written May 2021)

[emethelp]

Any advice for emetaphibia attacks in the middle of the night/very early morning? Twice when I was a kid, I got a violent stomach bug and I started getting sick around 2-3am. Now, my emet is the worst from 10pm-4am. I wake up in a startle most nights and feel "nauseated" (psychological) Once I know sunrise is close, I start to relax. Once the sun is up, I'm good. I'm losing SO much sleep over this and I'm so tired of this cylce I go through. I just need someone who understands emetaphibia.

It sounds like the reason you are feeling ill at night is because you associate the night with feeling ill, if that makes any sense.  I think the best thing for you to do would be to stay up, acknowledge and accept that you are feeling ill, and do something positive or productive with your time to make some new associations.  For example, choose a really good book that you’ll only read when you’re up late at night, turn on your light so it’s not dark, and read.  

When you know you’re not going to be able to sleep anyway, it’s always good to do something pleasant or productive in the mean time.

[emethelp]

hello! i'm desperately in need of some support and understanding right now from someone who also has emet. I got prescribed a small dose of Prozac and ranitidine earlier today to test the waters for generalized anxiety/stomach issues that may or may not be related to anxiety. I was reading up on them just to be safe and saw the number one side effect of Prozac is ...you know. I know this medicine will probably help me a lot and I've seen ranitidine helps with it, but I'm still terrified (1/2)

(2/2) to even start taking it. do you have any tips that could possibly help? thank you so much in advance

Hi so this was probably from months ago as I’ve just logged into this blog for the first time in a while, BUT, I still this is worth answering as I’m sure it’s a very common problem.

I’ve actually been in this exact situation before.  When I was 19 I started taking Zoloft, which is also an SSRI, and has very similar side effects.  I was TERRIFIED. I waited weeks after getting the pills to gather up the courage to take the first one.  And when I did - I was absolutely fine.

I can’t guarantee that the Prozac won’t make you feel ill, but unless you already have a very weak stomach, the chances of it making you v* are very very slim to none.  I know it’s terrifying to put yourself in such a vulnerable position where your body’s reaction to a new medication is totally out of your control, but antidepressants can and will change your life and will likely not come with any major side effects.

I do have several things you can do to help decrease the chances of you feeling at all after taking your first dose:

It seems counterintuitive, but make sure you eat just before taking it.  It will be much easier on your stomach if there’s already something being digested.  I would suggest a piece of toast or some crackers.

Start on the very smallest dose possible.  Ask your doctor if you can start on even half of the normal starting dose, or if you are able to break the pill in half (e.g. if it’s not a capsule), it’s totally safe for you to do so and try building up to the regular starting dose.

Relax.  Chances are any initial illness or unease you feel is a placebo.  Starting medication is a scary step but a really important one for your recovery, and I’m proud of you and anyone else who’s at the same stage for making it this far!

[emethelp]

This might be a bit controversial but I recently tried space brownies for the first time and they were really, really strong. And while I did get an emetophobia-induced panic attack when a friend of mine got sick from having too much of them (I calmed don tho and they were fine), it was still an overall positive experience and I'm proud that I wasn't reckless (I didn't eat too much and I think I know my limit now) but I also wasn't afraid to try them and able to enjoy them in spite of the v*.

I actually had a very similar experience! (Assuming space brownies are weed brownies?). That is so great that you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone and in the end you saw there was nothing to be worried about! Ofc I am not encouraging anyone to do drugs but I am very accepting and supportive of it as long as you all are being safe 😊

[emethelp]

Kill Bill Vol. I

Safe!  Incredibly graphic gore (it’s Tarantino, so ofc), but no v* :)

[emethelp]

This this account still active? Xx

Hello! Yes, but I haven’t had very much interest so I haven’t been spending too much time on it.  I’m still looking for people to join the blog!

[emethelp]

I absolutely love films but I have emetophobia. Cinemas are especially difficult for me and I hadn’t been for 4 years until a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been twice now and it’s getting better. I have panic attacks every time but I can manage it now and after a couple more times I might last the whole film with no panic attacks. Just wanted to share something positive because I really thought I would never get better and I’m on my way to living my life again. Xxxx

You are so brave!! Wow!  Going to the theatre when you KNOW you’ll have a panic attack can’t be easy, but it will be easier every time.  This is the best way to conquer your fear and I hope one day, the cinema will be a totally comfortable experience for you :) Thanks so much for sharing!

[emethelp]

That was really helpful actually, thank you! I don't really like alcohol, I'm very picky with taste so I usually just get something very sweet. My emet is the whole reason I'm staying at home for uni. I hate living with my dad, he is awful but whenever someone gets ill in my house, I can stay with my sister. She's unwell and v*s a lot from migraines but you can't hear it and its not contiguous. If I lived far away I wouldn't be able to escape to her house. It really restricted my uni choices.

2/2 Seriously though that was so helpful! Even off of therapists I am not taken seriously. I just get told 'it will happen eventually" "no body likes it" and "just deal with it". That was the first genuine help I have ever gotten. I fear it so much because my family has always been ill, when my mother died I saw her body covered in head to toe in v* and it was so traumatising, she was always in so much pain and so was my sister. Its something that's hard to tackle and I appreciate your help!

You’re welcome, and it sounds like you’ve had some terrible therapists!  Once you get to uni they should have some free/subsidized counselling, and I would recommend taking advantage of that.

It’s great that you have a plan!  I moved all the way across the country to go to uni, and the only way I was able to was that I contacted the school and they made sure I was in a dorm room with my own bathroom.  Then in second year I moved to a house with a few friends, and I had no problems :)

If you don’t really like alcohol, it sounds like nightclubs maybe aren’t for you, but a more relaxed atmosphere such as a pub can be very fun, especially if it’s less of a student pub and has more experienced drinkers that know how to control themselves.  

Also if you’d like, you can always message me personally!  Best of luck

[emethelp]

I'm not sure if you'd be able to help with this one but my emetophobia has really limited how I socialise with people and its left me very isolated. This September I'm starting University and I know for a fact people drink until they pass out, I'm also turning 18 which means I'll be pressured to go to parties, pubs and drink. I'm absolutely terrified of being around drunk people and I'm worried that I might encounter this during freshers week. Any advice you could give?

Hi anon!  I can relate to how you’re feeling very, very strongly, as I ALMOST decided not to attend university because I was so scared of living in dorms, being around drunk people, etc.  

But going to university was ultimately the decision that made the biggest difference in getting over my emet!

My advice is to be very open with the new friends you make about your emet.  I did this in my first week, and they reassured me over and over that while I was around them, even if they were drinking, they would absolutely not v*.  I hadn’t exposed myself to alcohol many times so I was a little misguided on how it works, and mistakenly thought that a casual night of drinking could end in v*. 

How I got over my fear - I participated.

I’m not saying this is the right path for you, but I started drinking, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, because I was interested in the party scene.  If you’re not interested anyway, then you are not alone.  BUT, drinking is a huge part of my social life and a lot of fun for me.

Before you go to university, learn how alcohol affects you.  Try drinking something with low alcohol percentage, such as beer or cider.  Drinking one or two or three will not make you v*, I promise.  Being around a trusted friend can help.

Another thing that really helped me was when I finally v*ed from drinking, and I realized that it actually felt GOOD.  I’m not at all suggesting you make yourself v*, but realizing that when others say they v*ed after drinking, it’s not normally an unpleasant experience, and is nothing like v*ing when you have an illness.

This has dragged on really long, and this is only my experience, but feel free to ask any follow up questions you have!  If you go into this experience ready to start recovering from your emet, I have no doubt that that’s what will happen :)

[emethelp]

I used to not be able to get in a car or a bus without feeling some sort of panic and panic-induced nausea. After a friend had a bit of a tough love talk with me I realised I can do something about this myself just through the things I tell myself and I barely get that nausea anymore. Recently I ordered a ticket in the car - I LOOKED AT MY PHONE IN THE CAR which ALWAYS makes me nauseaus but a apart from a little quasiness (but no panic) I was fine.

YES! I’m so proud of you and I hope you’re equally as proud of yourself!  Imagine if you start looking at your phone in the car just once every couple days, how far you will be able to come.  

Also, when things get tough, it’s tempting to go to the people who you know will enable you by saying “it’s okay, just don’t look at your phone in the car,” or “you can just avoid busses for the rest of your life,” but the tough love friends can be the ones who will help most in your recovery.

Anyway, I’m very happy for you and I hope you’re inspired to keep on pushing towards recovery :)

[emethelp]

Hello!

Hi! How was your day? Thanks for the little message :)

[emethelp]

Hello I’ve been struggling with the phobia since childhood— I’ve tried a lot to deal with it, but I can’t seem to find anything. It’s gotten slightly better (now, being mainly focused on contagious diseases rather than everything) Anyways, a stomach virus has spread throughout my family and I’m panicking about it. I have an important audition in two days, and I’m so scared i might arch it! Help would be appreciated. Thank you—

In regard to your current situation - just relax.  Just breathe.  Chances are you’re already meticulous about hand-washing and not touching your face too much (and etc), and I do NOT want to encourage obsessive compulsive behaviour but it will make you feel better if you do everything in your power to prevent catching the stomach bug.  Use a different bathroom if possible, and prepare your own food.  These will help with your anxiety more than they will help you from not getting sick, which I’m quite sure you won’t anyway.

In a more general sense, reach out to someone.  A doctor, a counsellor - a professional who can help you deal with your phobia.  Life is SO MUCH BETTER on the other side of emet. 

And good luck at your audition!

[emethelp]

I am very happy to provide advice and reassurance but I would also like this blog to be about more than that!  I want it to be a place you want to visit even on your best days.  So please share your successes and experiences with me, no matter how small they may seem!  Also, if you see an advice post that I’ve answered and you feel you have some insight to add, you can either send it to me as an ask or a submission and I will publish it!

I’m also still looking for people to add to this blog to help answer questions and implement any other visions they may have :)

[emethelp]

I was comimg home from school and my mom told me that my stepdad had just v*d. I had a panic attack. This is the first real panic attack I've had over my emet in front of people. My mom thinks I'm faking it/ just being rude to my stepdad while he feels bad. She also said the classic "nobody likes it." Can I get some tips on how to explain to her what emet is / some articles? Thanks so much, I love your blog btw.

I understand your struggle.  I really, really do.  Hearing “nobody likes v*ing, don’t be dramatic” is SO FRUSTRATING.  Is this the first your mom has heard of your phobia?  If she’s open to talking about mental health struggles, I would suggest telling her all of your experiences with emet and how it affects your daily life, even if it might be uncomfortable.  She loves you and when she realizes it’s more than an isolated issue I’m sure she will support you in seeking treatment.

As far as resources go, I just googled around a bit, but if these don’t cut it for you I’m sure you can do some further research!

TRIGGER WARNING: the linked articles do not sensor any words

An explanation of emetophobia: http://www.emetophobiahelp.org/fact-sheet.html

The wikipedia page on emet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emetophobia

A blogger’s personal experience with emet and her friends’ and family’s acceptance of her phobia: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/delaney-paige/living-with-emetophobia_b_7958958.html

The webMD page on panic attacks: https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/panic-attack-symptoms#1

Good luck and let me know how things go :)

[emethelp]

i’m really scared about going to school tomorrow and i can’t even sleep. someone v* in class and i had a panic attack and i keep having flashbacks and my hands and legs are shaking with fear. please can you give me some advice to calm down? i’m sorry i really needed to rant and i just felt really pathetic.

I’m guessing you’re the same anon from the question I just answered but my advice is to go to school tomorrow and let your teacher know what’s happening. Even if you feel like you have to leave early, it’s better to face going back to class now than waiting a couple days. Before class starts tomorrow, focus on self care. Take a hot bath, watch your favourite movie, maybe eat your favourite snack if you’re feeling up to it. Your goal for tomorrow is just to make it to school, and I know you can do it!

[emethelp]

i’m 13 and i have emetophobia and recently it’s been getting really bad. a few days ago i stayed off school bc i started panicking over a stomach ache and an hour ago someone threw up in class and i had a panic attack and started crying... (embarrassing i know lmao) i keep thinking about what happened and i’m scared to eat and i’m getting really anxious. do you have any tips please? thank you x

Let your teacher(s) know what’s up, maybe get permission to leave class whenever you need to. There’s no need to feel embarrassed by a panic attack, I guarantee you everyone who sees how distressed you are just feels sympathetic. As far as being scared to eat goes, try to convince yourself that you can’t start feeling better until you have some fuel in you. Start out with your “safe foods,” maybe crackers or juice or toast, and once you have some energy back work your way back up. And just keep being brave. Keep going to class. Keep forcing yourself to eat. Just keep trying ❤️

[emethelp]

Hey so I feel really nauseous and I am super worried and also probably making it worse. I am trying to tell I’m self I will not v* but I was going to ask if there is anything that help(ed/s) you when you feel this way for the benefit of me and others. Thank you so much for creating this blog!

Hi anon, I really hope you’re feeling better now, and I’m sorry I didn’t get to this sooner!

I used to get stomach aches EVERY DAY, and every day I was convinced that this time was different, this time I was really sick.  And I never was.  Eventually, I learned to separate myself from my emet and recognize when it was trying to control me.

Your emet is making you feel sick.  It’s not all in your head, it’s real and your body is feeling bad, but that’s because you have a mental illness that’s trying to trick your brain.  Think of all the times this has happened before.  How many of them were false alarms?

Go outside, take a walk, get some fresh air.  Convince yourself, “I will feel better in an hour,” and just focus everything you have on getting through that next hour.  If an hour feels like too much, just focus on getting through the next 5 minutes.

You can do this <3