Phobia Support Group
A phobia (from the Greek "fear"), is a strong, persistent fear of situations, objects, activities, or persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. When the fear is beyond one's control, or if the fear is interfering with daily life, then a diagnosis under one of the anxiety disorders can be made.
Hi, I wanted to introduce myself here and share my story. I'm Kristi, 19, and a sophomore at WSU. There's not a lot to tell about me- I was diagnosed with emetophobia (the fear of vomit) about three years ago. At the same time I was diagnosed with ocd, and yes, the two are related for me.
I'm not fearful of vomiting myself. I am very fearful and anxous about others vomiting. I get rediculous about it and I am obsessed with cleaning.
These are some of the ways I behave:
*If somebody I know (say a friend or someone in class) throws up in front of me, I usually am not their friend anymore. I avoid them at all costs and I will not let them sit/stand/walk/be behind me for anything because they might vomit on me.
*If a family member throws up in front of me, or if it's somebody I am really good friends with, I don't speak to them for seven days.
*I don't eat certain foods because they remind me of vomit for some reason or another.
*I refuse to go to the hospital/doctor unless I absolutely need to. When I do have to go, I wear a certain outfit and as soon as I return home, I shower seven times.
*I cannot step on any stain on the floor unless I know what it is (I'm afraid that vomit used to be there).
*I refuse to use public restrooms whenever possible (somebody may have vomited in the toilet).
*If I have to use a public restroom, I use seven clorox bleach wipes on it first (I have rubber gloves so I'm not even touching the wipes that touch the toilet) and then sit on seven seat covers (and yes, all this stuff is carried with me at all times). When I am done, I proceed to wash my hands over and over again (or use purell...it is my friend) until I can shower.
*I can't watch movies, cartoons, or tv shows that hint in anyway shape or form to vomit.
*I can't ride public transportation (busses, boats, trains) for any reason. In middle school, I had to make my mother drive just me to feild trips.
*I always sit in the back seat of the car unless I am driving. In which case, nobody is allowed to sit directly behind me.
*In airplanes, I always have to sit in the back row (yea, the uncomfortable seats that don't even lean back...you'll find me right there) and in the isle. Otherwise I have a panic attack.
Anyhoo, not that I sound like an utter and complete nutcase, hi and I hope I'm welcome.
I'm not fearful of vomiting myself. I am very fearful and anxous about others vomiting. I get rediculous about it and I am obsessed with cleaning.
These are some of the ways I behave:
*If somebody I know (say a friend or someone in class) throws up in front of me, I usually am not their friend anymore. I avoid them at all costs and I will not let them sit/stand/walk/be behind me for anything because they might vomit on me.
*If a family member throws up in front of me, or if it's somebody I am really good friends with, I don't speak to them for seven days.
*I don't eat certain foods because they remind me of vomit for some reason or another.
*I refuse to go to the hospital/doctor unless I absolutely need to. When I do have to go, I wear a certain outfit and as soon as I return home, I shower seven times.
*I cannot step on any stain on the floor unless I know what it is (I'm afraid that vomit used to be there).
*I refuse to use public restrooms whenever possible (somebody may have vomited in the toilet).
*If I have to use a public restroom, I use seven clorox bleach wipes on it first (I have rubber gloves so I'm not even touching the wipes that touch the toilet) and then sit on seven seat covers (and yes, all this stuff is carried with me at all times). When I am done, I proceed to wash my hands over and over again (or use purell...it is my friend) until I can shower.
*I can't watch movies, cartoons, or tv shows that hint in anyway shape or form to vomit.
*I can't ride public transportation (busses, boats, trains) for any reason. In middle school, I had to make my mother drive just me to feild trips.
*I always sit in the back seat of the car unless I am driving. In which case, nobody is allowed to sit directly behind me.
*In airplanes, I always have to sit in the back row (yea, the uncomfortable seats that don't even lean back...you'll find me right there) and in the isle. Otherwise I have a panic attack.
Anyhoo, not that I sound like an utter and complete nutcase, hi and I hope I'm welcome.
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I am scared of to and of vomit.
Right now I have my house for sale and all threee of my bathrooms have the toilets taped shut and a note taped to them that reads "do not use". I am afraid that someone will throw up in my toilet!