Just do your best, that's all either of you can really ask for. The comment from wwad77 hits the nail on the head, really.. my boyfriend helps me avoid possible situations as much as he can, but at the same time we both know it's only an enabler. From my point of view, the best thing to be told (when in a stressful moment) is the truth - that everything will be OK no matter what happens. Just be supportive and try to tell her how you feel or think whenever needed. My boyfriend lets me know when my phobia is getting in the way and it has helped me try to find ways to cope better, because I care about us and I want what's best for the both of us. I feel hurt sometimes when he says something about it, and it may happen to your SO also, but it just really needs to be said.

It's heartbreaking at times, to be honest. I get depressed often thinking about how much this phobia gets in the way of life, but it also makes me strive to do better. Always remember to think about it from her point of view whenever you can.. to her this is the worst thing in the world. Everyone has something they are truly afraid of, and sometimes it's stupid things.

You are a wonderful person to try and find help/advice, I praise your understanding skills! Oh, as a response to your inquiry about treatment, I enjoyed going to CBT sessions with a therapist.. but to truly "get over" this phobia, gradual exposure seems to be the only thing that works. I am also considering the "Thrive" book to try and help myself: http://www.amazon.com/Cure-Your-Emetophobia-Thrive-Researched-backed/dp/0956516645

As a kindergarten teacher, I've legitimately considered quitting my job over this stupid phobia, but I can't let it win and neither can you. You're so right. Kids are gross, schools are gross and things spread like wildfire. BUT...the ways to prevent the bug remain the same - good hand washing! And of course I always have it in the back of my mind whenever I have a student out that it MUST be a stomach bug. 95% of the time it isn't. And I spend my time all worked up over nothing.

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I definitely feel the same anxieties that you do, but you are doing all the right things in terms of preventing yourself (and many of your students) from exposure! I can highly recommend the Clorox brand hand-sanitizer for those times when you just can't get to a sink for proper hand-washing. It has saved me many times! So glad you love your new job! :)

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013CNOMU/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0013CNOMU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=f52e26da-1287-4616-824b-efc564ff75a4&pf_rd_r=4YCYFVP278H7DAGSMSZB&pd_rd_wg=kuDZk&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=mf1gp&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=9bf0eb83-d721-11e8-be04-2d6d4ad679d7#customerReviews

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>Can someone recommend what makes them feel better?

Crohn's diagnosis here:
Low EMF environment
Cat's Claw

So turn off the wifi, put cellphone in airplane mode, because they RF promotes inflammation and stimulates cells. It helps to turn them off to help the body calm down. This is a handy device I highly recommend as well, RF Acoustimeter

I had my daughter about a year ago, and I’m gearing up to get pregnant again. I had some nausea, but it was always manageable. You’re getting lots of good advice on here already, so I’ll just quickly break down what worked for me.

Bed crackers—saltines on my nightstand to eat the moment I woke up. An empty stomach is a pissed stomach

Preggie Pop Drops Plus —make sure you get the “Plus” because they have the b6

Unisom + B6–it’s the same as diclegis

Snacks—cashews, strawberry applesauce, and peanut butter crackers were my constant companions. No empty stomachs!

Lemon—I put lemon on everything! There was one weekend (around 9 weeks in I think) when lemons were literally the only thing I ate. Their freshness just really helped me.


Good luck, it’s going to be okay. It’s so hard to rationalize the fact that you’ve put yourself in this situation where you might v, but I promise it’s worth it. You will never love someone the way you’ll love your child.

Omg we really are the same person. This is me to a T! I have safe places I know I can get food from but I review every new place before I even consider eating there! And I bring Lysol wipes in my bag to clean table and menu because I know people are gross! And ginger chews are my favorite!!! I literally should buy a lifetime supply of them. I usually just get Trader Joe's ginger chews but recently found these: and they're amazing omg! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003B3Y4Q4/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1487993138&sr=sr-1&keywords=chimes+mango+ginger+chews

It sounds like you need to focus on your anxiety, my friend. Learning to handle anxiety has a massive positive impact on people suffering from Emetophobia; for one thing, one of the more common symptoms of anxiety is nausea! That's one hell of a catch-22 right there.

If your employer covers it, I'd recommend seeing a therapist. It helped me tremendously, and you can start on some cognitive behavioral theapy (CBT). Failing that, the [anxiety and phobia workbook] (http://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Phobia-Workbook-Edmund-Bourne/dp/1572248912) is a very good starting spot as well, and if you commit to working through it, you'll start to notice improvements.

I can tell you for a fact that it can, and if you resolve to work at it, will get better. I used to flee at the thought of someone feeling slighly ill, and last night was able to comfort my heavily nauseated girlfriend without too much jitterying and hand-washing. It's a slow progression, but it definitely gets better. Hang in there.

Migraines are the WORST. Cluster headaches behind my left eye aren't much better. This is one thing that tends to help me A LOT while I'm waiting for meds to kick in. I actually find it helps the meds work better.

http://www.amazon.com/Cryoderm-Pain-Relieving-Roll--3oz/dp/B004TGZDKS/ref=sr_sp-atf_image_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1394305563&sr=8-2&keywords=cryoderm

This is topical. You roll it onto your head and it makes it super tingly. It is a GREAT distraction and forces you to let go of tension. You can't concentrate on the tension over the tingling, it's impossible. I think by letting go of the tension, the blood flow to my head is better and the meds work better/quicker.

Anyway, I hope you are feeling 100000x better really soon.

Sometimes Prozac or other meds have side effects. Many go away. If you have any, talk to your doc. They can give you other meds to help. Tell them whats going on. I used to feel that way also. Like others have posted, you dont eat you feel nauseous.. you eat and feel nauseous. Its a horrible cycle. It does get better. Therapy and this bookactually helped me. You will get better! We are all here to support you.

Eating a little something, at least some crackers, if not soup, will probably make you feel better! I always love the Umcka cold care when I have a sore throat, and ginger tea.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K1P98GK/- the purell stuff that claims 30 seconds

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HWBTPRE/ - this is the last pack i bought of the hydrogen peroxide wipes it says norovirus 3 minutes on it. Some people are reporting the plastic tube ones (the kind you get most such wipes in) no longer lists norovirus at all, so be aware of that. Those are here of you want to get them anyway: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K3U1B64/ i don't know if its a new formula or new tests or what the deal is with the change

https://www.amazon.com/Clorox%C2%AE-Hydrogen-Peroxide-Disinfecting-Cleaner/dp/B00C3H5J04/</span> - thats the spray version of those wipes. again. my bottle says 1min noro kill on it but i bought it a few months ago.

I still might bleach if i knew for sure something was directly contaminated and that it COULD be bleached but a lot of things cannot and using it gives me a migraine which makes me n sometimes so i avoid it when I can and these products can be used on way more. Bleach is still the CDCs go to (BUT MAKE SURE ITS DILUTED) but these things all claim to work specifically on noro on the package.

https://www.amazon.com/Clorox-Bleach-Free-Sanitizer-Moisturizers-Alcohol-Based/dp/B00DDZMLLK/ - thats my go to hand sanitizer but its pricy. There are other ones too: my-shield, zylast, and germstar noro - they are pricy too though

Look into this book: Thrive Emetophobia. I downloaded it on my kindle and it's made a huge difference for me :) It really helps to understand your thinking patterns.

Baha. Yessss. You mean
these ? Ps they're on amazon for $14 something! I've never heard of them before. I only knew about the Lysol spray haha. # gamechanger

at work, there’s purell spray disinfectant that says “fights against norov*” or something like that right on the front. i’m assuming it can be used at home too

Yes, I believe so. This is the brand I use. I take 1 pill, 2 max if my stomach is upset.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00014EECK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kbW1AbSEP2K1P

https://www.amazon.com/Nano-Pure-Generation-Sanitizer-Protectant/dp/B075877FG8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z5PP4HBYE431&keywords=gfs+bioprotect&qid=1556841151&s=gateway&sprefix=gfs+b%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1-spell

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cure-Your-Emetophobia-Thrive-Research-backed/dp/0956516645/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=thrive+rob+kelly&qid=1574840827&sr=8-5

Of course! Here's my personal preferred brand: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004BH15K2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1522625739&sr=8-3&keywords=tummy+drops&dpPl=1&dpID=51b7B9S0yTL&ref=plSrch. They're one of those things that I insist on always carrying with me!

here a link

Stay angry - you CAN beat this. I'm in exposure therapy at the moment and fuck me it's working. I'm also using the Thrive program and that's helping massively too. Life really doesn't have to be like this. Hugs x

I bought the Clorox Hydrogen Peroxide wipes because they kill noro.

https://www.amazon.com/Saalfeld-30824-Healthcare-Disinfectant-Norovirus/dp/B00K3U1B64/ref=sr_1_25_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1523206379&sr=1-25&keywords=clorox+wipes

I wouldn't say I have any coping methods other than distraction (TV mostly, comedies).

I have to agree that the majority of the posts here seem to just collude and enable each other.

One of the biggest changes in my life has been reading the Thrive programe. There's a mountain of reviews on Amazon saying that it works. The author has a lot of Videos of fellow sufferers who are now free of this problem too.

It takes a lot of work and I wouldn't say I'm even close to cured, however it makes you realize that Emetophobia isn't something that happens TO YOU. It's merely a symptom of poorly managed thinking styles, beliefs and behaviors. Change those and Emetophobia goes away (as well as other things).

The reason why emetophobia sends us neurotic is because we do our best to try to avoid the thing we fear most. The problem is that it's impossible to be 100% certain that it isn't going to happen. As a result, we go almost insane following safety seeking routines and behaviors to try to avoid the unavoidable.

I'm still working my way through the programme, but one key thing I that sticks out in my mind is this - think of an emetophobia and each catastrophic thought we have as a fire. Currently we're fire fighting with extinguishers such as coping strategies, avoidance and safety behaviors to put out these "fires".

What if we didn't create those fires in the first place?

It's easier said than done, but it is possible.
People without this fear aren't just "better" at coping with the thoughts - they don't have them in the first place! We're doing it to ourselves!

Thank you for the advice. I'll try to respond to each of your points.

1

I'm currently looking for a DBT counsellor in my area. In the meantime I'm reading this amazing DBT workbook that I bought. I'm only on the second chapter but it's helped already.

2

I'm very open and honest with everyone. My life is an open book you could say, so that isn't an issue. Most of my trauma stems from those childhood incidents, primarily my dad and bullies at school. Finding the right therapist is definitely challenging. I had one EMDR therapist that was a former ordained minister, and she constantly prostelyzed to me and tried to convert me... I quit seeing her.

I then went to a trauma center that specializes in childhood trauma and PTSD. They played an audio tape on gratefulness. The tape started okay, be grateful for this, be greatful for that... but then the narrator said "be grateful you aren't a starving black child in Africa". I was instantly triggered, I couldn't believe they actually went there!! I had to plug my ears and tune out the rest of the tape I was so upset and distraught. As soon as the tape ended I spoke up and told the group leaders "that's guilt tripping and negative reinforcement!". A few of the other group members joined in and said "yea, that made me feel bad too". I never went back to that group therapy again.

I kind of gave up on therapy after that. I was going through a stressful move at the time and I had lots of other things to deal with. After those two bad therapy experiences I felt defeated and gave up. I need to give it another try like you said, just keep trying different therapists until I find one that works best for me.

3

The third point is a hard one for me since I have so many overlapping mental and physical issues. My diet is extremely restrictive, I have a lot of food sensitivities. I dropped from 175lbs to 117lbs at one point a couple years ago (I generally fluctuate between 120-140 lbs). I couldn't eat anything without being sick. I'm chronically underweight from avoiding food or being sick. Everything triggers my GERD or iBS, dairy, gluten, sugar, fat. I haven't had a slice of pizza in over 15 years or any my of favourite foods like spaghetti (tomatoes being a big GERD trigger). It just adds further depression and trauma to my life by having such a restrictive diet.

I've been eating chicken/tukey, rice, and brocolli for the past 15 years. That's all I eat, every meal, 3 times a day. It feels like the movie "groundhog day" at times where I can't escape this loop. There are a few other things I can eat such as plums, kiwi, green beans, and different types of rice (bread, noodles, regular, congee). But for the most part I can only eat at most 10 different things. Plain lettuce causes me to throw up or feel sick for hours... Celery too. My stomach is a mess.

Distraction definitely helps and is one of the main techniques I use. I've been relying on a heating pad for the last 7 years which helps a lot. I often just lay in bed with a heating pad on my abdomen for hours. I also watch movies, play games, listen to music, and I go for walks every day (usually 1-2 hours) to get exercise.

Sleep is a very big factor in how I feel on a given day. I have chronic insomnia and struggle getting a decent night sleep. I definitely notice my IBS symptoms are much worse on those days where I get less sleep.

4

I used to use ginger chewables in the past. Nowadays I rely on the benzos (my doctors got me addicted without telling me they were dangerous), the zofran/anti-emetics, and lots of ginger and fennel tea every day. I've also had a medical marijuana perscription since 2016 which helps the physical symptoms and my insomnia, but I find it tends to make my anxiety and the mental side worse unfortunately. I'm currently off the pot again right now but it just makes my physical symptoms unbearable and I eat even less. I find the pot helps a lot with the emetophobia in general. It helps increase my pain threshold a lot, but I also end up binge eating from the munchies and that can cause further GERD and IBS issues. I've had issues with bulimia and purging in the past so this is another issue.

Edit: Accidentally hit enter before I was done. Sorry for the wall of text.