EMETOPHOBIA WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN | MY STORY

[@gl0kittyy]

Emetophobia always stops me from being in cars with friends, going to amusement parks and other fun things like that.

[@carlydiago]

♡LonelyHearts♡ same:(

[@elisabethbaron2570]

My mob wanted me to go to an amusement park and I said no. She got so confused and said “why!?” And I said “guess” and she goes you don’t want to get stuck? And I said no. I don’t want to see anyone throw up.

[@mia_hala9630]

I don’t mind older kids cause they don’t really get sick but little kids do a lot.

[@ninasavich1706]

Don’t forget planes

[@mooose3840]

Same

[@shelly3658]

This video is helpful because as a 13 year old, I always tell myself that I'm not going to have any kids in the future because i have emetophobia, and I would just hate if my kids would throw up!

[@joycew1560]

Minix yup that's y I never had kids

[@amandavillarreal9205]

Minix me too!

[@kayleek6868]

Yes. I'm 13 in 3 days and having so much trouble. We should talk on instagram, mine is @kayy.lee.k .

[@islanoni4108]

Minix same

[@mia_hala9630]

I’m 12 and I’m scared I would run to another room if they do.

[@charlottedane4443]

I hate it. I can't breathe. I start shaking. It's all I'm thinking about

[@melaniemartinez5760]

I feel you

[@GeminiGlitters]

samee

[@hiii9828]

I start to cry

[@ninasavich1706]

I get a headache, I shake, I feel sick, I’m hot and cold, i try to sleep, I fail, I panic, I gag a million times, I panic more, I vomit, I’m relieved it’s over. I have emetophobia and it’s very hard. If someone gags I run

[@duduisdusty]

Same

[@sophiabeesoup]

im mainly scared of if i get morning sickness!!!:(

[@ChloeBridge]

that was my biggest worry, too

[@sharingiscaring210]

PhiPhi Bomb SAME! that and what if my kids get sick

[@ruru1824]

HeyItsPhiPhi i haven't thought about that much, but I'm super scared of birth and how much it will hurt

[@duduisdusty]

Same girl...

[@monafinlayson4637]

I thankful that morning sickness didn't hit my mum so its less likely to be bad for me.

[@infinitelovebeauty]

Everything you said in the video about emetephobia is exactly how I am. When someone in my household would get a virus I would lock myself in my room and wouldn't sleep due to fear of waking up sick. It really is the worry of getting sick that is so bad. It's a situation I have no control over and I think that's what makes it so bad. When I do catch a virus and start to throw up I am fine and I have to remind myself that throwing up only last a few minutes. I wish I didn't have this phobia.

[@ChloeBridge]

infinitelovebeauty for me it is definitely the losing control that panics me, too

[@eviemarie814]

I go through the same thing. I will stay up for hours in hopes of not waking up sick.

[@ChloeBridge]

Evie Marie it’s horrible when it interferes with your sleep as I find lack of sleep makes the anxiety worse x

[@katarinaberno4677]

infinitelovebeauty same here!!!!!! I wish I wasn’t so scared!

[@annikapustelchen]

Oh my gosh... my phobia is so bad that when I catch a virus I cannot get myself to throw up because I‘m just so so so scared of it. I would rather die than throw up 😶

[@AJ-de1fd]

I have insanely terrible case of emetophobia and this is exactly why children and people in general scare the shit outa me oof

[@urgirl_maci]

I have emetophobia and the phobia of spit, so I avoid babies

[@itsgi0]

Ah... I’m glad I’m not the only one that is/was worried about how I’d take care of kids when they’re sick... I can’t even be in the same room as my younger brother when he’s sick and that worries me.

[@kenxd4833]

One thing that makes me upset is when I’m in class or a place I can’t leave for a period of time and someone says I think I’m gonna be sick but won’t go to the bathroom

[@seemvblitzzz]

right and i keep saying go to the bathroom and its so annoying and makes me feel powerless when they dont.

[@rachaelcahill3035]

I know right like just fucking go nobody is stopping you

[@seemvblitzzz]

@@rachaelcahill3035 yesss

[@Mimi-dw6ww]

In primary school someone was like “I feel like ima vomit” like bitch go to the bathroom, they didn’t and vomited in the classroom and I screamed

[@heyyitsnickfam]

frrr it’s horrible. my family knows i’m very emetophobic but they always say “i fEeL sIcK” or “i ThInK iM gOnNa ThRoW uP” when they’re around me. it’s fucked up. it just makes my emetophobia so much worse

[@jaigreydowsett9630]

I have really bad emetophobia every day it is in my head . I am always anxious about it even a stain that could possibly have been sick makes me worry for days . I hate it as it stops me doing so much of the stuff I like now

[@ChloeBridge]

mollie dowsett hi Mollie, thanks for commenting. It’s really annoying when emetophobia stops you from doing the things that you enjoy. I always try to tell myself “the odds are it’s more likely that it WON’T happen today than it will happen” and that has helped me a bit.

[@jaigreydowsett9630]

I try and rationalise it as I now that it very unlikely but the anxiety just takes over all of the good thoughts

[@crowcussion]

i had an anxiety attack over mustard because i thought it was bile

[@rebecca_6935]

I’m watching this now, after my daughter had her first bout of sickness. I coped better than I thought and my maternal instincts kicked in and just wanted to let her know she shouldn’t be afraid, being sick is normal and nothing to be afraid of. Telling her that was also affirming it to myself. Thank you making this video! Giving mums with emetaphobia hope that it doesn’t haveto be terrifying ❤️

[@ChloeBridge]

I always cope better than expected too. Hope your daughter is feeling better soon x

[@InfestedLice]

@Rebecca _ I hope your daughter doesn’t develop emetophobia

[@ymirist1162]

I'm a teenager and want kids when I'm older but it's going to be so hard to take care of them while their sick. And on top of that, I don't wanna have panic attacks or anything in front of them because I'd never want them to possibly gain this fear from me because it's horrible to live with.

[@ChoiSeung1987]

Thank you for this video!!!! I’m too scared to go to amusement parks because I remember the anxiety attack from years ago when I started crying and refused to get in a car because I was sure I was going to get sick. But I didn’t, I was just screaming and panicking and shaking so hard that strangers stopped and asked my mom if they should call an ambulance. Horrific. I also have never drunk alcohol in my life (I’m 23) because I’m so scared it would make me sick. I also don’t go to parties because I’m frightened that other people who drink would feel sick. 3 weeks ago I had a major 45 minute anxiety attack when my friends drank whisky, but they all felt okay. I was just panicking once again. I’m also extremely scared of getting pregnant even though I want kids. The fear of feeling nauseous is just too strong. This phobia is ruining my life. Anxiety in general is.

[@Jordi_Plays]

Ive had emetophobia since I was 5. I was able to manage it pretty well from roughly age 13-25. 25 i caught the stomach flu for the first time as an adult and it all came back with a vengeance, and right before me and my husband were planning on having children. I know this video is old but it gives me hope. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤

[@sharingiscaring210]

I find that I’m more scared when someone else is sick because if I’m not sick I can do something about it but I get terrified that I’m going to get it but if I’m sick then I can’t control it. Recently my family got sick starting with my youngest younger brother then going to my other younger brother and finally me and then my parents but because I didn’t eat because I knew what was coming I didn’t get “sick” because there was nothing in my system. I told my mom about my emetophobia and she was really supportive and that made me feel better. What sucks is that I think that ANY sickness has the possibility of making you “sick” and now I associate being hungry with being safe from getting “sick”

[@ChloeBridge]

That's great that you have been able to talk to your mom about it. I am the same, my worst fear is me being sick and out of control rather than someone else being sick

[@autumnwise9598]

Captain wolf3 so u had the virus but ur system was empty and u didnt throw up?

[@imperfectmind8846]

Oh my gosh, I thought I was the only one! A little over a year ago, my emetophobia became a lot worse and I also started associating Not eating with Not getting sick. So, i began eating less and less and less and basically starving myself for that entire year. But, of course, doing that made me lose some weight, and it was really messing up my entire body and mental health, so I decided that I definitely needed to get all of that under control again. This year I have begun eating more normally and trying to do everything I can to not get that anxiety/worrisome felling while I eat. I can happily say that I have made great strides from where I was during most of last year. But coping with emetophobia in general is still such a struggle for me at times.

[@Itsrainingsimmies]

Oh god....be careful with that association! That very same thing caused me to develop an eating disorder that I'm still trying to recover from...

[@priscilasullivan3583]

I just found out I'm pregnant and I'm soooo scared to feel morning sickness. I'm quite anxious and that makes worse. I really feel blessed to be able to be a mum, but I'm also very scared 😣

[@ChloeBridge]

Fingers crossed it won't be too bad. Mine wasn't, but I was very anxious about it. I honestly think us emetophobes are very good at NOT being sick x

[@priscilasullivan3583]

Chloe Bridge that's true I'm great in avoid it, and I'm pretty sure my pannic attacks are worse than the sickness itself. But is great to know that you could cope 👏👏👏

[@jornayrooks3724]

Priscila Sullivan did you have any morning sickness ?

[@kathryn879]

Priscila Sullivan How’s motherhood? 😊😊

[@ceceliadavid3442]

How are things going for you ??

[@ratatoing3574]

Video starts at 3:00

[@bekahhaught807]

What you said about your triggering events, me too 100%. My sister was sick a lot during my childhood, almost every day, she had a condition. Anyway then my fear got really solidified when I got sick away from home, then it got really bad for some years. When my friends and I started drinking it actually helped because I knew it was for a reason, not sickness and it wouldn't spread to me so long as i didn't drink way too much. Now I'm 23 and I am a kindergarden teacher! I deal with sick kids all the time even wiping a kids sick face! I can deal with it. Still don't like it, but I can deal. So i figure I'm cured from emetophobia, but I can relate, and it is the pits. good luck and God bless

[@ChloeBridge]

Well done you for being able to deal with kids in your job! I think I'd be rubbish as a teacher because of my sick fear!

[@crowcussion]

That is amazing, good on you

[@Jesse-rj5et]

I’ve had to explain to my 6 yr old that I’m scared of him getting sick & it’s almost embarrassing. My husband has to take care of them when they’re sick cause I can’t handle it.

[@alexandrablazevska-coe6477]

Emetophobia is the worst thing in the world. Feeling so not in control over your body. every time I have a minor stomach ache I get panic attacks and so anxious. I don’t know what to do

[@annikapustelchen]

My phobia has gotten so severe (I‘ve had emetophobia my whole life) that I think about throwing up for about 5 hours a day. Not being able to go out, have fun and be carefree.. just because I’m worrying so much is the absolute worst!! I feel like I‘m missing out on life basically because I‘m so unbelievably scared of throwing up. The worst thing about it is that my anxiety makes me feel nauseous 24/7. I feel so lost 😶

[@ChloeBridge]

C'est Annika mine got really bad a few years ago. Thought it would be that bad forever. But it’s not bad at all at the moment so I always know that the times when I feel really low are temporary x

[@FreshFabFine]

This is so me. I have had this my entire life:( I had a stomach problem as a kid that just made me feel sick even though I never actually would get sick, I think it just traumatized me. But it’s amazing how debilitating it is😢 especially at university with all germs:(

[@ChloeBridge]

CloMarie yes, I’ve found it very debilitating at times. Thanks for watching x

[@trishajones3121]

Thank you so much for this video. I wouldn't wish this feeling on my worst enemy. I am not afraid of myself being sick I'm afraid of other people throwing up. I was always afraid of having kids. I have a one and 6 year old and I obsess over it every night. I can't escape it because they are my kids. I'm a single mom. Thankfully when it happens my mom instincts take over and I handle it but I'm an absolute wreck inside. If it's anyone else I cover my ears, cry uncontrollably, Humm as loud as I can and run away. I have passed out in the past when I was trapped on a boat and couldn't get away from a friend getting sick

[@lisahighley631]

I feel the same with my girls getting sick. My daughter came home today and a kid she sits next to got sick, now I’m paranoid she will be getting sick. I stripped her down and had her shower and sprayed Lysol all over her school stuff. I stopped after my second child specifically because of this. I also notice it’s worse in the winter and flu season, when it’s night and dark. I really want to get over this but I feel like it’s just getting worse.

[@ChloeBridge]

Definitely worse in winter. Can understand stopping after 2 because of this fear, it can be very debilitating x

[@crowcussion]

My emetophobia stems from the first time I remember being sick. I had a lot of sugar and some kind of reaction to red dye. After it was all over, I didn't feel better like people said I would. I felt worse. I felt weak, I felt sick, I felt tired, but I couldn't fall asleep because I was panicking. I thought I was dying My mind now associates being sick with death and weakness

[@heyitslizzybee]

This is very relatable to me. Being sick isn't necessarily what scares me it's that I'm scared that if I do it means I must be really ill and will probably die.

[@taitai8802]

This is literally how I feel, I remember when I was sick with food poisoning after a trip I literally passed out right after it happened I really thought I died and then I woke up feeling like I got hit by a bus.

[@nicolerounding15]

This video was really hard to watch because you are literally describing my life! I’m on my 3rd year of uni and I just heard that a primary school very very close to my house at home had been closed due to lots of children having the norovirus which has sent me into utter meltdown :/ it really is such a tough thing to deal with! I’m 20 and have thought about if I have had children later on in my life and it’s always been a worry in the back of my head. everyday is a tough day but I’m slowly getting through it! your video really helped and reassured me! Thanks!

[@ChloeBridge]

I hate the Norovirus stories at this time of year!

[@alexandra7777]

Hi, Im Natalie I've had Emetophobia for a year. Im 12 years old, and i want 5 children. This definitely helps me, Thank you.

[@ChloeBridge]

Hi Natalie, thanks for watching, glad it helped a bit!

[@autumnwise9598]

Alexandra im 13 and have it and when im sick im sort of ok but when thinking of it and abt it i freak out. I have pretty bad anxiety but luckly i got some good friends

[@SoFineTv]

I know this video is 5 years old but Iv just come across it while searching for some reassurance. I can relate to everything you said in this video. I have Emetaphobia too and 2 children, one of whom is unwell at the moment and so I’m struggling right now but your video has really helped me so thank you! It can be very isolating as others don’t always understand the depth of the phobia, your video gives some reassurance and comfort to know I’m not alone in feeling like this.

[@Msmiyagii]

I do have a fear of vomit. I can somewhat handle other people puking however me on the other hand, I've been 9 years clean. I of course want children but I feel like I can't because I need to fully recover from the fear.

[@ChloeBridge]

MsMiyagii I had a similarly long record for not being sick - it’s amazing what you can do when you REALLY don’t want it to happen. Best advice I can give for having kids is to have a contingency plan, ie, is there someone you can call upon to look after them if you can’t cope, etc. When my partner is around I am a LOT less anxious.

[@isabellelloyd665]

It is SO nice to hear someone describe exactly how this makes me feel as I never realised other people were the same!

[@The-Sound-Explorer]

Great video, I love learning how people deal with it in different ways. I’m a father with three sons and it is so disabling when I even think one of my boys is sick. Thank you for talking about it.

[@ChloeBridge]

SteelsHouse thanks for commenting. Disabling is a good way of describing it!

[@LornaDoom.]

It’s the main reason I’ve been telling myself and others that I don’t want children. Seeing posts like this have made me feel a little more hope that it’s possible for me to have children.

[@PatienceWearingThinX]

Thank you so much for making this video. Having kids has always been a big fear of mine for obvious reasons so this was a great video to watch. Thanks.

[@ninasavich1706]

The part that bothers me the most is the sound and seeing it, I just panic and cry

[@ajlincoln]

I have always been terrified since my childhood (few scary times of throwing up). I have 2 children and last November my youngest ended up getting the bug at around 18 months. 3 days later my Daughter who was 4 has the bug and it was just horrendous. Then me and my husband 2 days after. Now it’s getting to that year I am petrified of it happening again. I have extra precaution this time, ecohydra foam hand sanitizer. Sterizar wipes for the worktops. Planning on buying a mask just incase! Not a night goes by that I don’t climb into bed worrying that my child may wake up vomiting. As soon as I’m nauseous I will stop myself being sick, I don’t actually know what’s worse as it’s probably a longer process. Anyway, I really enjoyed this video. Glad we’re not alone in this and knowing other people have this phobia helps me to be able to talk about my feelings also. X

[@ChloeBridge]

Can empathise with so much of this. "Not a night goes by that I don’t climb into bed worrying that my child may wake up vomiting." - I didn't want to dwell on it in this vlog as I wanted it to be mainly positive, but I went through a really bad phase of this, the anxiety was horrible, as well as the feeling of not really wanting to be around my children (even though I did, it was just my phobia) and I actually had CBT for it. It happened after a particularly bad time when my son was ill - I thought the anxious phase would never end, but it did lift, and I'm sure it will for you too in time x

[@savannahwhitacre1531]

AJLincoln i’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but nothing kills norovirus except for bleach. :(

[@erinwalsh7602]

Wow... I had no idea so many people suffered from the same thing I struggle with every day. So powerful. I never want children, but I’m in nursing school and I am always in a panic. I’m the same way - if it puts me at risk for getting ill, I can’t deal. Thank you for this video.

[@samanthaflatt6154]

Thank you for this. It makes me feel like I'm not alone. I have two boys, one 5 and one 3 months old and my older boy has his second stomach problem this month! I've been having a horrible time coping with it):

[@ChloeBridge]

Samantha Flatt That sounds tough going, hope he's better soon!

[@jennifermurray2293]

This is a great video. I suffer terribly with this and having a baby has scared me. Hearing how you have coped really makes me feel positive. Everything you fear and worry about is exactly same as me. Glad I've found this video x

[@HollybobbsVlogs]

A really interesting video Chloe, I'd actually never heard of emetophobia, although have been aware of what it is. Found it very helpful to hear how you've coped, thanks for sharing x

[@ChloeBridge]

Thanks so much for watching x

[@seemvblitzzz]

worst thought when someones sick in your house and your in the bathroom pooping and they run in throwing up i have to go bathroom now and my mom feels sick and i get angry because im wasting time thinking how long its going to take her to throw up when i can be in the bathroom using it quick then going out. this truly is the worst feeling ever and i always feel like i want to die in the moment.

[@kathypau9197]

Thanks for the video! I have a 4 month old now..so for now, it’s just small spit ups and I’m completely fine with that. I’m worried about when he gets older and it’s “grown up throw up.” It’s great to hear you saying, “It’s not as bad as you thought.” I look at my little guy and feel like there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for him, so I’m hoping I can be loving and nurturing for when that time comes. It’s nice to hear you speaking and feeling exactly how I sometimes feel, nice to know we’re not alone!;) Thank you again!

[@justmeyo4589]

This is such good information. Thank you so much. I want to be a Mom so much but I'm soooooo scared. I'm in the worst cycle of my life right now and I don't want it to rule my life. You're right. When it does happen its almost better than the worry cycles.

[@slorped]

my emetophobia is the main reason i dont want to have kids in the future, because although im sure my emetophobia will (hopefully) be much less severe when im a grown adult, i dont know what i would do if my kid got sick because i cant have a panic attack and cry in my room staying up all night praying i dont get sick like i usually do, i would still need to be there for them to shower them off and clean up

[@jillcutro5282]

this describes my experience completely, I almost felt like you were talking directly to me! thank you for making this video and for sharing your honest experience.

[@bonnibansagi8289]

It was so hard to watxh this video til the end, but Im glad I just did it and Im sort of proud of myself. Im twenty now and I want children as well, but this phobia is literally ruining my life. The sound, the smell of it, seeing it, feeling sick.. I just cant deal with it. The last time I was sick after 7 years, the first thing I could think of was that it wasnt as bad as I thought it will be and I thought Im over it. Now, laying in bed and feeling sick again, I know, Im not over it. Anyways, your video helped me a lot, Im sure Im gonna have children as well. Im sure my love will be stronger than my fear, thank you for posting this

[@ChloeBridge]

Bonni Bánsági the anxiety is always worse for me than it actually happening. It doesn’t lessen my fear, but it can be a comfort sometimes just to know that x

[@stephyspillz]

When I was younger, and my sister would get car sick A lot. I would close my eyes use my fingers to plug my ears, and at the same time position my thumbs to plug my nose. Total sensory deprivation was the only way I could handle being in the car with her when she got sick. I probably looked ridiculous but it was how I coped.

[@emmarodenbucher9649]

i totally understand. i dry heaved a little after my wisdom teeth surgery and i was like “oh... that’s not that bad...” and then you know my sisters will come home saying someone got sick in class or stayed home cause they had the flu and i will PANIC. i’ll stay away from them until i think it’s not contagious anymore. heck i don’t even share drinks or anything with any of my family. i don’t wanna have kids either cause of morning sickness... my mom and her mom had really bad morning sickness so i’m afraid i’m gonna have the same thing.... it’s controlling my life and it’s insane

[@mia_hala9630]

I have that to and I always think I wanna be a mum when I’m older but I’m scared of vomit.

[@AJMcKeever]

I know this is from a few years ago but thank you for posting this!! I can relate to so much of what you're saying!! I also was worried that we would constantly get sick from our LO. She had a very bad day today so I'm listening to all the uplifting KZbin videos about how to cope. I'm almost at my one year anniversary of starting treatment (started with partial hospitalization, then intensive outpatient, now therapy) and it's crazy how far we can come!

[@marissadivita]

every time i get nauseous or think i could possibly catch a stomach virus from someone i start shaking and get a panic attack. it's horrible.

[@eleanorbuckley5430]

Thank you for making this such as sensitive topic bc some words are very triggering for me ! I feel that no one understands me bc they think that I am just being selfish and trying to get attention.

[@ChloeBridge]

Words can be really triggering x

[@klc_hurst7542]

It’s such a relief to find other people who have it to! Once I got pregnant I coped with the morning sickness ok but I spent the whole pregnancy worried about being sick during childbirth 😣 I’d heard so many horror stories about women throwing up their whole labor and it terrified me. Thankfully I told the nurses in the hospital that I didn’t handle nausea and being sick well so they had anti nausea meds on hand and gave them to me immediately when I started feeling sick! It went way better than I thought.

[@saharalilysnape1601]

I can say "being sick" but not the other words. Once I had a panic attack because my sister was sick in another room. I also nearly had one when I was in a trip and my friend felt sick.

[@mooose3840]

I just feel that you talked about me in this video I got emetophobia at 6 years old . I remember when some kid throw up in front of the vending machine then my class mate had to get me thru that mess

[@SusiOfficial]

Just what I needed to hear :-)

[@carolynshelton952]

This is exactly what i am struggling with right now. When my daughter just turned 1, she brought home a terrible stomach bug from daycare where we ended up having to take her to the ER. Afterward both my husband and i both ended up getting it. Ive had emetophobia all my life and i thought this event would help with some exposure therapy, but i think it was just so traumatic for me that it just ended up making my fear even worse. I am just about to start ERP therapy in a few days and i am nervous, but hopeful. I want to be better so i can be the best parent for my daughter.

[@sambassett1313]

Totally described me to a t ...i also have 3 kids to. Never had any fear of this untill I had kids. The fears of it being passed on and being able to cope...ur video made me laugh and cry. Was so honest. So glad I came across this x

[@ChloeBridge]

thank you, Sam x

[@iidaaurora]

I have emetophobia.. big time. I’ve had emetophobia since i was 7yo.. i’m 13 turning 14yo ://

[@introvertforlife898]

IidaAurora Mine probably started when I was about 4 and I’m 15 now, I feel your struggle. I hate having the phobia in high school. I felt it coming in the middle of class and I was terrified to get up

[@BooingYou]

Mine started when i was 5-6 years old, im 13 now and i havent threw up since. TvT

[@melissaforbes1360]

All I can say is thank you!!! I deal with this everyday!

[@mae.c7]

Thank you for sharing 💕 I’m at that point where I’m thinking whether or not I should have kids because I’m terrified of them catching a bug and passing it around. I don’t want this fear to rule my life though...

[@leanneelizabeth3546]

Thank you so much for this video! You are literally explaining my life. I would like children one day and I always wonder whether I will be able to cope and I have found this so helpful.

[@ejasut8716]

I feel like I could have recorded this exact video myself! I can sooo relate to your story; I found myself nodding along so much! The worry is 100000x worse than the bug itself. I caught a bug from my son while 36 weeks pregnant and leading up to it I was soooo worried about it, thinking it would send me into labor, etc. Once I got it, I was weirdly relieved that I wouldn't have to stay away from my son and clean everything like a crazy lady; I just had to make it through 24 hours. And I didn't ever 'get sick'. I think that is a huge thing for me, bugs can hit people differently and in my experience kids tend to get sick, adults tend to get hit on the other end, which is what happened with me. (sorry if that is TMI). thanks for putting up a positive story for those who end up here during a google hole ;-)

[@ChloeBridge]

I agree, mostly if me or my other partner have picked up their germs, it's been a lot milder for us adults.

[@katierandall6470]

I'm so glad I've come across this! I've been struggling with emetophobia for around 4/5 years.. Possibly more but never as bad as the last 4/5 years since I had my daughter and I had hypermisis during pregnancy!! I was sick up to 30 times a day for 3/4 months... Then my daughter got her first bug at 18months old and it hit the whole house. It was horrid! So because of that I refuse to have anymore children. To prevent the spreading of it ect...

[@ChloeBridge]

Hi Katie. One of my worries was how I would cope with more than one child, knowing that the bugs would hang around our house for longer, etc. It's not ideal, but I haven't found it MUCH worse than dealing with just the one child when they are sick - as in, my anxiety was already heightened when it was just one, but the anxiety hasn't heightened much more than that now that I have more children.

[@katierandall6470]

Chloe Bridge hasn't it?! That's really good to know actually!! I'm currently having an "episode" as my daughters friend at school was sick and got sent home! 🙈 x

[@sarahbethg8042]

You described my experiences perfectly. I have a two year old son and he’s been ill a handful of times and it’s very difficult. Im in a downward cycle Right now with my phobia and struggling big time since my son was in last month. Thank you for your encouraging words and sharing your story

[@ChloeBridge]

Sarah Beth G Winter is a difficult time of year. I’m always more anxious at this time of year x

[@erikawestin5836]

Thank you. This make me feel less alone.

[@amandavillarreal9205]

I just now discovered that i have emetophobia. Im not really afraid of being sick im mainly afraid of vomit and vomiting. Its easy for me to hear and say the word but if someone else or i have to vomit i literally have axiety attacks. Im just so afraid of it and its keeping me from wanting kids because i wouldnt know how to deal with it if they become ill. But now that ive watched your video its helped. Thank you!

[@lindseyb4643]

Thank you Chloe. I'm with you! I remember that first bug too! There have been many (many) more. Ironically I have ended up with the sickiest children ever. It's been a challenge but it's pretty amazing how you find your way through it. So much resonated with me in this video. And hearing someone voice the understanding of bug sick vs other sick made me smile :) Thanks for sharing and I hope it didn't make you feel too uncomfortable or jinxy x

[@ChloeBridge]

Lindsey Bruce ah yes, the old jinxing yourself. A big reason why I find it hard to talk about this! My CBT councillor said that side of the phobia is an OCD trait, which made complete sense to me without ever having thought of it that way before.

[@shellysudak5939]

Hello Chloe , my name is Shelly 25 from Israel . It’s very nice to see that there are more people that have the same phobia as me. Since childhood I’m suffering from this phobia and afraid from loosing control of my body . I never get drunk, was trying to go as far as possible if I heard someone saying that he is feeling sick , not eating everything till I’m making sure that’s ok and etc ... thank you so much for sharing that and I wish you all the best xxxx

[@ChloeBridge]

Shelly Sudak hi Shelley, thanks for commenting. I do all of those things too x

[@jayvonneas9976]

I have really bad Emetophobia so i'm scared of when the time comes for me to have kids that I couldn't do it because me like morning sickness and them throwing and what not but your video helps me a prepare for the future in that way so lot thanks a lot.

[@ChloeBridge]

Thanks for commenting. In my experience, the worry that I wouldn't be able to cope was far worse than the actuality of morning sickness / kids being ill.

[@juliaro3608]

I haven’t even finish the video yet but I’m already so thankful you shared this with us! I’m crying right now because I’m at the exact point in my life at which I’m wondering whether I can ever have children. I always always always wanted to have children and I’m so scared that I can’t cope with them being sick and I’m not brave enough to look after them in such a situation. Thank you so much for this video, it really helps knowing you’re not the only one. I’m even thinking about wearing mask & gloves while cleaning up or looking after my sick kids… would that be too weird??

[@majahede4038]

I have emetophobia too, and those things you are saying is just like its coming straight out of me. The bus, when I just see it on the floor/street - I really wants kids but I’m soooo afraid of the morning sickness... I haven’t done it since i was 7 (i’m 18 Now) I hope I Can get over it at some point, cause it is effecting me everydag. :(

[@ColourwithClaire]

Afraid of NAUSEA, not vomiting? I wonder if anyone on here is like me. I find severe nausea to be one of the worst feelings you can experience- I’m not just talking about feeling a bit sick, I mean feeling so incredibly nauseous you feel like you’re going crazy, you start clawing at your body trying to ground yourself (it’s usually my thighs that get the brunt of it) and basically feel like you’d rather die than continue feeling so desperately uncomfortable. Most emetophobics are scared of vomiting. I’d RATHER vomit & feel better than cope with just a few minutes of debilitating nausea. People also say “it’s okay, you won’t die!” as if being dead is somehow worse than living with this level of suffering. I don’t feel that I am irrationally phobic: the nausea truly is horrendous to experience and can’t be “calmed away”. If someone put their hand through a grinder you’d rightly expect that to be a horrific thing to feel- well this level of nausea is akin to that extreme scenario. It’s a strong feeling of unease equivalent to the worst pain imaginable. I’ve taken different anti-emetics but they only help sometimes and not always to a great extent. Unfortunately it’s very easy to stop someone vomiting, but far less is known and researched about stopping nausea and its various causes within the body. I’ve of course tried the usual things: ginger, peppermint, sea bands, breathing techniques, meditation, distraction… it’s too extreme for any of that. I suppose I just wondered if anyone was like me- not your typical emetophobic!

[@dubstepfanpage9931]

this is a summary of all of my experiences...

[@GalacticRainestorm]

I have emetophobia too. It effects me a lot because I run cross country in school(it's my first year I am in 6th grade) and I used to be really afraid I would get overheated and vomit. Luckily it is getting better though.Also I saw someone vomit at a meet I had yesterday and that definitely just made me more scared for the race, but luckily I didn't have an anxiety attack. this video helped me feel better if I ever have kids (which I think want to when I grow up but I am still thinking)It is good to know that I am not alone with this phobia!

[@oonaread888]

This helped me so much but my emetophobia always stops me from going on public transport because I get so scared I’m only 13 and had my phobia since 9 THANKYOU for helping me xx

[@katarinaberno4677]

You have helped me so much!! Oh my god!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love you!!! I feel the same way! Hello from Vermont USA!

[@siobhanmurphy6316]

this makes me realize how little my form of self diagnosed emetophobia is. lmao i get the response to some people being sick like anyone in my family, but with someone clean like my bestfriend i feel a little better. if i notice someone with actual sickness i freak out, but if it’s things like roller coasters, stomach pains like cramps instead of having a stomachache or drinking sickness i’m ok. unleSs.. it’s myself. i rarely get sick like that and i never want other people to know i’m sick. and with a few special people at specific times in my life i completely stay away if i just fEeL like they sick and that is when i get anxious and shaken. but rn i haven’t had a thought like that in a while and i feel as i’ve pretty much gotten over it!!

[@cadburydragon8469]

the stuff about morning sickness was powerful - impressive

[@sianrk1151]

You have such a beautiful family and this video was so beautifully done I'm nearly at tears, I've sort of had my phobia under control for the past few years but due to some recent exposure i feel like I've taken a blip, but this video has really helped to pick me up a lil, i can relate to nearly everything you said and the fact that you were honest with how sometime it'll be okay but sometimes it won't, but you still remain positive i found is so hopeful to me! so I want to say a massive thank you

[@ChloeBridge]

Sian RK accepting that some phases of life it will be harder for me and others not so bad has been really helpful for me. Stops me despairing that I’ll always feel this way and unable to cope, sometimes I cope well with it. Sorry you’ve been struggling recently x

[@corwinbee4057]

Im 14 and my phobia has gotten worse, and its not so much of me being scared of me doing it but being stuck somewhere with someone who says they feel like it, it gives me anxiety attacks and i just run away, it also doesn't help my parent's dont understand my phobia so when I bolt off away from the situation they think im "over reacting"

[@bookmilla8616]

I don't think I'll be able to raise kids. I'm so terrified of them, that if I see a young child walking towards me on the streets, I hold my breath and run as far away as possible. Every time I walk past a kindergarten I power walk and get shivers. I'm SO scared of them. It's horrible.

[@ChloeBridge]

I used to be scared of being on my own with children x

[@catherinebirch2399]

This is one of the many reasons that I never had kids.

[@xander5691]

Why you scared of kids? I’m scared of throwing up..

[@bookmilla8616]

Bambemo The reason I’m scared of children is because of my Emetophobia. Children are dirty, get sick more often, puts everything in their mouthes, get snot on everything and rarely washes their hands.

[@xander5691]

BookMilla oooh... I understand. I just felt like throwing up, and it was horrible.. :(

[@Plaid_Cat]

Honestly even after watching this video I'm still hesitant, I have an extreme case of emetophobia, and honestly its taken over my life, I dont think I can ever have kids. Though someday I might want some... I just never ever can

[@taylorhooper5979]

Love this encouragement! Thank you for sharing your story

[@myadebique6004]

The thing(s) I hate about it the most is the anticipation and not being in control of my body

[@XYZ-jk6ye]

Growing up, I would frequently get the stomach flu or other stomach issues so that caused my emetophobia. This emetophobia really sucks since as a kid I really wanted to be a doctor but with this emetophobia its really thrown me on an edge. I also really wanted kids but morning sickness and the kids getting sick made me worried so because of this fear I've pretty much gave up on everything I dreamed of as a kid

[@anyajeyes-hand8847]

Thank you soo much for this I really really needed it 💕

[@scarlettatrainor4117]

For any mums just watching this to just calm u a little bit there are a few strains of bug that children cannot pass on either because we had it when young or because our immune system is stronger. I have had emetaphobia 20 years Iv done my research lol. I have rubber gloves and face masks on stand by in my medical cabinet for any outbreak, don’t spray cleaning products onto vomit it will make it airborne for a few seconds same for toilets etc I just by cleaning products u pour an can’t spray so I don’t do it by accident.I was at a stage where I washed my hands in bleach an wore gloves out in public. So yeah I have it bad! Im the same any sick I can’t catch not bothered about at all. I have 2 daughters an when they’re sick I pass out my anxiety just does me big time. My husband is the complete opposite. I wish they would just hurry up and contain stomach bugs an make a bloody medicine that kills it already this is what I don’t get the most like I know the strain changes but so does flu an there’s pills for that 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ChloeBridge]

Scarletta Trainor whenever my kids get a bug I’m always telling myself that it’s more likely I won’t get it then that I will due to immunity, etc. It can be quite calming! There is a vaccine against rotavirus, although I refused it for my kids - mainly because I couldn’t handle the anxiety of knowing they were shedding the live virus and being careful around nappy changes etc for 6 weeks. Would be amazing if there were a vaccine for all stomach bugs one day.

[@non-binarypotatob7898]

I have Severe emetophibah and sometimes I starve myself cause I think if I eat or drink I’ll be sick what do I do like I starve myself and it’s really hard

[@ruru1824]

I made up code words and still do because I have a really hard time saying it

[@haileyray9907]

I went to a really close friends birthday party and I knew there was going to be drinking (I don’t personally drink at all) and I got to her place earlier than others to help “set up” and people started showing up, it was fine until, everyone started drinking and there was only a small group of people who weren’t drinking so I was sitting on the couch by myself (I was really only there for my friend because I don’t go out to parties, ever) and she kept coming over to me very drunk wanting to dance and sit on my lap and I just sat there a ball of anxiety that she would get sick on me. I texted my mom to pick me and made up an excuse as to why I had to leave. While I was waiting for my mom someone at the party passed out and I was shaking with anxiety, two people had to drag her to the restroom and I was begging in my head for my mom to text me she was there to pick me up so I could leave. I wanted to leave so bad. I started to put my shoes on to wait outside and my friend came up to me (obviously very drunk still) and she wanted to walk me out to my car and I so badly didn’t want her to solely for the reason I didn’t even want to be around her in that moment. I was saying goodbye and she started hiccuping and burping and I started to panic so I made the goodbye very short and ran to my car. After I got into the car I felt so much guilt because I had left because I knew my friend wanted me there but I physically couldn’t do it anymore. I feel so bad to this day but I didn’t know what else to do :(

[@amisebenjamin3879]

The last time I puked was when I was a baby which was a loooooooooooooong time ago

[@justinejones6565]

I remember when I was little.. when I got older I would want kids I still do now but I remember my mom said if you’re so scared of throwing up how are you going to deal with kids I told her I would make my husband burp the baby because some throw up not all I don’t think but I definitely know some baby’s do so yea idk what I’m going to do..

[@anilina8695]

My mom says the same thing, and she also mentions how am I going to deal with morning sickness during pregnancy😖

[@bpddrl7395]

i guess for me it’s the leading up to it. i’m 12 and got it from this bug i had when i was 9 and i had an extremely stressful HORRIBLE teacher which just made everything so much worse, causing my phobia. sometimes when i’m feeling good on the day and i’m home then i’m able to think if i throw up now it’s fine, oh well but the moment i start having a slight stomach ache like last night for example and my parents are asleep i just can’t calm down it’s terrifying. like when i was around 10 when thinking of being sick and what i would do i just had it in my head i would rather die than throw up. that thoughts luckily left my head. eh i’m kinda panicking right now so i might come back and finish writing this later haha.

[@LyricGrace]

This is me. I have 3 children too and suffer from emet. I’ve just found your video as I’m suffering with anxiety right now and trying desperately to calm down and reason with myself. My head says I’ve got this, my heart says panic, panic, panic. Anxiety is a bitch! Thanks for the video 👍🏻

[@LyricGrace]

Everything....just everything you’ve said is EXACTLY the same as me. It makes me feel better that someone else understands. I have 3 boys like you, 6,4 & 7 months. I too have thankfully only ever caught it once in the time they’ve been ill. But the fear is always there. I really want to overcome it and I’m considering CBT, has anything ever worked for you?

[@tellmethesongoftherain6534]

Hey other emetophobes such as me, if you ever want a child growing up but don’t want to get pregnant (like me) then you can always adopt someone! :D but of course I doubt myself because I’d probably never be able to help a child if they came down with the flu or something else

[@andreabengoa9670]

Mom of 2 here, 2.5 yr old and 3 week old. Luckily during my pregnancies I didn't throw up. But my last pregnancy before I gave birth I had stomach bug and threw up and since then I have been so scared of throwing up. I don't mind my kids puking my 2 year old has been sick already. But today I'm feeling ill with naseua and I don't want to puke. My body is tensing up and I'm shaking and cold. My husband says I'm over reacting and should just throw up to feel better. I'm so tired of being scared to throw up.

[@Itsrainingsimmies]

I've been emetophobic since I was 3 and it has straight up controlled my life (to the point of developing an eating disorder) since I was probably 10 or 11 (15 now). I can't cope with it and It's still controlling me, and I'm tired of it.... does anyone who's recovered from emetophobia have any tips?! I don't even know where it stemmed from either...

[@Gingerplum2020]

HI! I know this is a bit late but I have some advice to offer. I have been struggling with Emetophobia for as long as I can remember and as of lately it has escalated very badly over the last few months. I recently have been fed up and I am just tired of this phobia controlling my life! I heard about the cure Emetophobia and thrive program and I am going to give that a try. It is based in the uk but they have a self help book that is raved about on the internet. Rob Kelley is the author and states that everything you need to cure this phobia is inside the book. I am excited to see how this works and I think you should give it a try too! It is a bit expensive for a book (available on amazon.uk for around 58 US dollars).

[@timbermalcolm8722]

That's my biggest problem in life. I am so afraid of other people and myself vomiting that I don't like being at amusement parks, I don't like being around kids, especially little ones because I know they throw up alot, at school more than once if someone else was feeling sick I'd get so nervous I had to go home... it's awful

[@SusiOfficial]

Are you worried that your kids will get emetophobia? Because that also is one concern of mine. I hate having this phobia, it gets to points where it rules my life and I need therapy, and I really don't wish this for my future kids. Do you hide your phobia from them? Are they afraid of getting sick? Thank you.

[@ChloeBridge]

My eldest does not like to tell me when he is feeling sick. He refuses to say the words and keeps it to himself until it's unavoidable. This is exactly the same as me, and I hate to think he's picked up on my behaviours. I try so hard to be as normal as possible when they are sick, and thanks to exposure, I'm really quite good at it now! But perhaps these fears are genetic. There's no way of telling. But I hope my children don't suffer with it like I have, the fear is so crippling.

[@amberkoenig4334]

My son is afraid to tell me if he feels sick Bc he knows I’ll freak out and ask him the same questions over and over. I definitely feel like a horrible parent.

[@gachabunnies8004]

When I think about it my stomach hurts ughhh and when people throw up I have a panic attack

[@MxMagnetar]

i want to be a mother so bad. but my emetophobia causes me to be scared, and also my own trauma makes me scared of bringing someone i love into this world where it could happen to them too.

[@scoutjohnston2125]

i have the same thing but i really just wanna pinpoint where you said that you hate anything where you feel like youre out of control. does anyone else do crazy things like jumping off high rocks into water or getting piercings to prove to themselves theyre in control?

[@quinncreams4ellie]

Just a little tip that you could use: If you are scared of morning sickness If you want you can adopt a baby or if you are in a lesbian relationship (I’m lesbian too :D) then if you and your partner are okay the other one can have the baby