Lessons Learned From Emetophobia: Stop Trying to Overcome Your Fears | ERIN KELLEY | TEDxUCincinnati

[@nothingatall4824]

My emetophobia is so bad that if I had cancer I would only be concerned with the vomiting part of chemo.

[@cjordan9465]

Same

[@averiecrooker3056]

Same

[@luciasanchez5326]

Saame here, I told this to my mom and she just goes like you're isanee....Ughhh :|

[@afoxesdream6444]

Omg I feel you. I can't go to parties, I'll avoid everything that could have something to do with it. I'm scared of anesthesia cause it can make you sick. I don't want kids because vomiting can be common doing pregnancy or the kids could get sick. I'm too scared of all that.

[@okok-vi3kr]

i thought about this for so long samee

[@unluckymarch2589]

I swear every emetophobe has thought something along the lines of "why can't I be afraid of spiders"

[@k044z]

Started to laugh when I read this cuz it sooo trueeee

[@DeepBlue7]

Omg yes. Still probably a horrible phobia but at least exposure therapy would be easier because you can control it better.

[@hexdungeon4567]

Im afraid of being sick and spiders....

[@shibaranger9215]

At least with spiders you can escape it by walking away from them. You can’t really walk away from your own body unfortunately :/

[@DeepBlue7]

@@shibaranger9215 Very good point!

[@lps_world6896]

Emetophobia is not just fearing yourself throwing up it’s also other people doing it

[@superior1018]

Lps_ World yep

[@abigailm6684]

Yessssss

[@jupiter7272]

Yah

[@kirstencovington2117]

Lps_ World I have the fear of people throw up it scars the heck out of me and I get anxiety so bad from it

[@adrienuhhhh]

Yeah, I'm not afraid of throwing up because I was sick a lot as a kid (and it just doesn't scare me, luckily) what really makes me anxious and panicky is when other people throw up around me, I can't be around them whatsoever.

[@QueenQueenly]

Most humans don’t know how difficult it is to live with this fear

[@ashley-yy9zc]

So true, people just make fun of emetephobes and fake gag and throw up as a joke

[@QueenQueenly]

Outii Gacha true. All the time. All my life they did that

[@softcat1885]

@@ashley-yy9zc My ex best friend would do this everytime when we were kids, even when I told her to stop she would always do it, it just made my phobia worse, her fault...

[@mrcorpsy6766]

My mom makes fun of me, Even if i burp and the slightest pain i am going crazy

[@nataliecastillo5509]

More than 1 therapist I’ve been to have laughed about it because they’d never heard of it..now I’m terrified to try new therapists and terrified to tell anyone about my fear

[@lorezero4066]

We are a strange lot here. Fear of throwing up? To most people it's as easy as going to the bathroom to us, it literally feels like life or death. It doesn't make sense. I have no idea how I got myself in this place but my goodness I want out.

[@kawaiisakura23]

Lore Zero THIS is soooo freaking true it’s not even funny

[@amaangigani9372]

Same goes for me.

[@jupiter7272]

So true 😢

[@ipsychosocial9850]

My boyfriend talks about throwing up as casually as going for a walk, it's a regular part of drinking for him since he has a weak stomach. I will do everything in my power not to, it's terrifying.

[@malb500m3]

sometimes I walk into a public bathroom and my heart starts beating so fast. I’m always thinking “someone could be sick at any time”

[@carlahauser8543]

I have emetophobia and it sucks. I cry a lot and I just can’t take anything with vomiting. When people even say that they feel bad, I get watery eyes and get shaky because I’m so afraid that they would throw up. Most people don’t understand me, but it is so calming to see so many people here to understand me

[@whyisitspicy1034]

Carla Hauser we’re in the same boat! I’m terrified of people throwing up. When someone says that they feel nauseous my heart rate goes through the roof.

[@aicirpb]

CherryBomb Me too, I don’t know why it happens to me :(

[@tetrahedrongod]

@@whyisitspicy1034 same

[@af963]

it is the first time ever, that I am reading peoples comments abt this, and seeing people understand the way I feel, has made me feel so much less alone

[@glassypunstm7080]

:((( same i get away from ppl who feel slightly sick too and i feel like im a bad person for that but i cant help it its so frustrating

[@OliviaLiberti]

Hey YOU EMETEPHOBIC PERSON! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I’m here, I have emetephobia and it sucks, but at the very least- we are not alone in this ❤️ you WILL be okay, no matter what happens.

[@DeepBlue7]

💓

[@superior1018]

Omg thank you I needed thisss- terrified of the stomach bug around this season 😖

[@helenefrydenberg-eriksen3078]

Thanks..

[@beekind2902]

Thank you 💕

[@elenaspano5067]

@@beekind2902 Thanks. Can I ask you something that has nothing to do with the topic? I'm gonna do it anyway lol. are you italian?

[@mariananisa2066]

No one understands that this is a phobia that we have to deal with every single day. Even hearing the word "vomit" makes us anxious. Getting in buses, big lunches with family/friends, parties, alcohol, not eating enough to not get full or not eating at all, boat trips, crowds, amusement fairs... this is harder that it seems. Sometimes I feel that I rather die than throw up. You're not alone.

[@nualamaher4482]

The phobia slowly branches out to every aspect of ur life. It’s basically being afraid of your own body, and no matter where u go u can’t escape ur body.

[@craftsinthekitchen7400]

@@nualamaher4482 you can't. it's either throw up or just die as an emetophobe.

[@cheto_unknown]

I relate so much. ever since my emetophobia got 10x worse I started eat way less than usual, sometimes I skip breakfast, lunch and dinner. I really hate this sm, I'd literally die rather than experiencing this any longer

[@cvllartt]

I can't live my life in peace

[@Awtuch]

@@cvllartt same here…

[@ZenMastah]

I nearly cried watching this, I suffer of emetophobia for three years and I feel desperate, feeling there's no solution.

[@introvertforlife898]

Martin R. I try to clam down but once I’m v* or nauseous I go into a panic attack race

[@MissAmandarinOrange]

Go on Zoloft. I swear by it

[@Moe-t6i]

Same

[@cookiecrumbs302]

MissAmandarinOrange i’ve been on zoloft for 5 years and had emetophobia for 12, i don’t think it helps me much

[@KatyTalks]

@@MissAmandarinOrange Hey! how long have you been on Zoloft? I used it for around 3 years and it stopped working for me this year and now I'm on something different. I just want to know if I'm insane lol

[@Emma-fp2hk]

Literally cried, because there's someone out there to really gets this. Love you girl and am wishing you the best.

[@skyevansambeek1203]

Coolio are you in the Facebook groups! They are really helpful

[@dylandicus2192]

Coolio same!

[@qawahbeautyllc9233]

same!

[@LunarShuriken1]

Unfortunately I have this phobia, that's why I'm here

[@Starryloveskittens]

I have emetaphobia and I’ve had it 9 months and it’s so much painnnnn and I can’t stand it

[@nightcoreyuno]

I watch these kind of videos when i feel nauseous....meaning I am rn...no one undertands my fear, they always tell me "everyone goes through it, and they're fine, why aren't you? No one likes being sick, get over it." Like...it hurts badly rn and I'm just so scared I'm about to cry, my whole body starts shaking in fear and I struggle a lot...that's how bad my emetophobia is!

[@sashamoa1248]

I am in the same situation as you, and Im afraid of vomiting

[@luciasanchez5326]

SAAMMEE!! I'm feeling nauseous now and my heart rate is off limits. Also my isolating headphones ar my life saviors, everytime someone gets sick or is about I literally RUSH to get them and just turn the volume up so I don't hear a thing

[@whyisitspicy1034]

I’m so sorry you have to go through that. I’m emetophobic myself, and I know what it’s like. I’m not afraid of myself vomiting anymore, it’s just other people vomiting that makes me anxious beyond anything. It really sucks.

[@its_bella4783]

I start shaking I feel light headed I also feel nauseous and I feel like I’m gonna die

[@kystbh1374]

Uniqua isTheBest omg me too

[@cheryllmartin7808]

I cried. Because i have emetophobia and.... Let me tell u it's not easy because every time i feel throwing up i lock my self in my room begging and crying to god like "god pls don't make me throw up" And sometimes i was WISHING I WASN'T ALIVE JUST CAUSE I HATED IT And in this video i learned that i'm not alone in world full of fear...... No one is alone

[@ley_el]

I have both motion sickness and emetophobia...

[@Samil53738]

I feel the same it not alone

[@MajeOT]

OMG I DO THE SAME TOO

[@angell5848]

@@ley_el yeah, i have motion sickness, acid reflux, and emetophobia.. I can relate for sure lol

[@croissantmoon9340]

You described exactly what I do. Literally everytime I feel sick I pray to God too. It's terrifying. You're not alone.

[@melross4758]

I deeply understand you Emetophobia ruins your life :) and it’s sucks but it’s true. But it’s get better, I promise

[@Daniel-uc3ek]

:)

[@GalacticRainestorm]

It really does. I’ve had it since around 2nd grade and even if it’s not as bad any more but it’s still there in the back of my mind waiting to strike me with a panic attack

[@ldcomingatu]

Mel Ross I have emetophobia and it absolutely sucks i have a panic attack whenever anyone coughs

[@MyLifeInWonderland]

While I'd agree that emetophobia sucks, I just gotta say it won't ruin your life unless you allow it to. I'm 27 and have had emetophobia coupled with panic attacks sinse I was about 6 years old, and it has yet to ruin my life. Sure, it's made it harder, more frustrating, and less comfortable than if it wasn't there, but that's all.

[@GalacticRainestorm]

@@MyLifeInWonderland I agree. I have been figuring out how to cope and become better, and life has been so much more pleasant while understanding how to cope with my anxiety and stay calm

[@madisonbyrd50]

My emetophobia is so bad to the point where I rather die then throw up and some people might think I’m joking bad sadly I’m not.😔

[@colbyo.o916]

me too, i completely understand you

[@milliesmith5909]

Same 😞

[@noelluvv5168]

YES

[@sarai4241]

Same :( my sister and me alwyas say that and we do ANYTHING TO ANYTHING TO STOP our Selfs from vomiting

[@crystalguru350]

Same so much same! Some people think I’m crazy for being afraid of vomiting but it’s really serious

[@rhyleejenson2734]

I have emetophobia. I hate it. I had overcome my anxiety, but I still have that fear.

[@emmasolomon8061]

Same!

[@danien2411]

I totally agree. I have had the same fear for years it is horrendous, what she’s explaining is %100 what happens when I feel like I’m going to throw up x

[@CheesyTornado]

I have it just not as bad as some people, if i feel nauseous thats when it kicks in for me.

[@_levirice]

I no longer get the panic attacks ,only when I feel like I ACTUALLY am about to be sick then just want to die

[@Ceroshanimm]

R u okay now,guys?

[@ell1012]

When I tell people about my phobia, they think it’s funny to fake throw up. Gee, thanks, Karen, for the panic attack. Not to mention my parents who call me rude when I avoid sick people. “Just be empathetic!” Ugh, and they wonder why I’m not close to them.

[@カメロン-f4k]

OMG I sympathize with you 100% My parents say "You're supposed to feel sorry for them", but how do you do that when you're afraid to get close to them? Also, my friends do that to me all the time as well. not funny.

[@カメロン-f4k]

@Someone, Yet No One. IKR? Like I've trusted you enough to tell you this about me and you do this? Really now?

[@カメロン-f4k]

Exactly!

[@hannahabbas681]

OMG THIS IS SO TRUE FOR ME. My friends as a joke they fake throw up and do the sound and I get scared and they think it’s funnyyy. ITS NOT. When my little sister gets sick and I run away my mom gets mad at me for not helping. THEY DONT UNDERSTAND

[@catherinebirch2399]

@Someone, Yet No One. Why do people react that way to emetophobia? I mean, would they throw a spider at someone with a spider phobia?

[@cjordan9465]

I can’t even go into hospitals because I think that everyone is going to vomit

[@hannahabbas681]

OR THE NURSE OFFICE AT SCHOOL.

[@freddy441]

@@hannahabbas681 yes omg same

[@prettiestvirgooo]

Same

[@Hello-vw8gc]

@@hannahabbas681 ahaha yes once a kid said he felt sick in the nurse's office and i ran out of there 🤣

[@newjeans1287]

@@hannahabbas681 same omfg

[@kaylahD_ford]

I wish we could meet. My story is almost exactly the same. It started when I got the stomach flu as a young girl for the first time, just like you. I was so scared and it didn’t help that my dad wasn’t home that night but I was left with an avoidant babysitter who told me to just handle it. I’m 26 now. I’ve struggled with emetophobia since that very day. I have not thrown up since that day either. How crazy is that? I have my rituals, certain teas or having peppermints on me at all times. I don’t eat foods I consider “ red flags” such as most meats, most seafood, anything that has been recalled I am wary about eating ( spinach, romaine, sprouts etc) amongst restaurants that I feel might get me sick for various reasons. It’s very very difficult once you begin avoiding, because it happens so quick. Soon you are afraid to go to school, go to a concert with your friends, go to bars, amusement parks are off limits. Sometimes I have to cry when I think about how the years are slipping away and I am holding myself back from simple pleasures. I know it’s a control issue, I know soooo much about emetophobia and yet, it’s still the dark dark cloud lurking over my head at all times. Even on good days. If you met me; you would never know unless I told you. That’s where the isolation lies. I hope I can help make this phobia more well known for future people so that others don’t feel as alone as I have. Things like this give me hope. Thank you!! I bet we would be great friends lol.

[@ineptpacific5717]

Kaylah Cohen If. Yes I know what you are talking about. Fear. Going out means you have a chance of contracting IT. I wash my hands dry constantly and they often crack and bleed. But panic attacks happen anywhere, So why stay home? It’s more comforting for us, but it kills our social life. Hope you get better!

[@roxanneharrow6486]

I know the depressing feeling...I avoided it for 30 years then one day I got too sick and couldnt avoid being sick for 48 hours...I just gave in and let it happen, I was terrified but then when it happened Im like dang it really aint as bad as I remember as a kid...I was cured...I ve thrown up several times since then,,,real bad....but its not that bad...I cant believe it.

[@roxanneharrow6486]

@VijaPerfect its a scary thing...i usta wanna literally die instead of getting sick.....its been a long crazy life with the fear of v......I held it back during my two pregnancies...i was nausea for 9 months but no v....i usta think i was the only one...i thought it was something I created.....finally i googled it....was scared to google it...i was so embarrassed and ashamed....i still struggle with admitting to others that I had this phobia....Im here for you all who read this....just ask and im there for you.

[@roxanneharrow6486]

@VijaPerfect people dont understand....its the weirdest thing....emetophobia....i am much better now but i still dont like getting sick but its not running my life...i never told nobody i had it....i was embarrassed....when i wanted to get control of it i started reading about it and then i got sick like 3 months later after 30 years of holding it in.....i got reeeeallll sick and then i survived and then a month later same thing happened again and then i got a 2 year break and then it came back...each time it lasted over 24 hours....but when its over i feel so happy and stronger and normal because i made it through and i was in control and I guess im just about cured....

[@mandymac98]

wow. this almost made me cry because of how much I relate to it. I also had a 24 hour stomach flu in fourth grade, and got sick in front of my entire class. it was so embarrassing and traumatic. I’m 21 now, about to graduate college and haven’t gotten sick since, thanks to my ginger tea, any form of peppermint I can fit in my purse, and unfortunately pinching myself uncontrollably to distract myself from any tiny feeling of nausea ... I am so tired of this fear taking over my life. I want to get pregnant one day and not be fearful of morning sickness. I want to have kids that I can be ok with being sick around me. I’m so happy to know I’m not alone though. we’ll all get through this. Thanks for you story. ❤️

[@indi6940]

I have ptsd and extreme emetophobia. My sister is currently throwing up downstairs and I’m crying, so hello to anyone reading the comments, hope you overcome your fear.

[@Chrimahsaucey]

did you overcome it?

[@ZOl-zm4wh]

I’m hoping you’re going to be better

[@sayrayshiz2654]

Listening to this while having an emetophobia triggered panic attack. This made me feel a lot better! Thank you so much!😀

[@arianazavaleta1865]

me right now 😣

[@MariaONeill-i5y]

Me right now

[@lunatunes9309]

Me right now 😔

[@TheScarboroughLinguist]

Me right now too

[@e_burg3ss287]

Ok, quick tip! When having a panic attack, always have ice on hand, if ur in ur house have ice trays at all times, when ur having one, simply fill a bowl w a smol amount of water and a lot of ice, and dunk ur head in, it helps bcs it makes u focus on the cold sensation (it’s like 0.1°c so its rlly cold) and then, it helps! Btw this does NOT work for everyone

[@chlobuggie]

I got over my emetophobia a couple of years ago, I thought it was finally over, Boy was I wrong. About a month ago my friend vomited at my house. I knew everything was okay, it was just because she had a weak stomach. Ever since that day it just got worse. Last night I had my friends over and because I felt a tiny feeling in my throat and freaked out called my mom and literally got light headed because my heart started beating so fast in such a short time. I started crying out of embarrassment. I pray to god every day asking for it to get better. You don’t know what someone could be dealing with so please just remember this before you make fun of someone, or do anything mean to someone.

[@bffbff6925]

I thought my emetophbia was going away, after reaching my 1 year anniversary my stomach started hurting for weeks on end, with me often not sleeping and me staying up shacking and overheating. This made my emetopbia so bad that i don't want to eat dinner with my family beacuse im so scared of me or them throwing up.

[@chlobuggie]

@@bffbff6925 wow, I hope it gets/got better

[@kaylamariamalloy]

Same here :( When I start to get anxious, my heart beats super fast. And that’s not good bc I have SVT, which is a heart condition that can make my heart beat over 200bpm. I try not to get rly anxious bc if that happens i run the risk of passing out or being hospitalized. I’m so sorry to hear that you are going through this!!! It’s horrible!!!!! I pray that this horrible fear would go away for you, and that we can get back to living life without this controlling us!! We just have to remember that this is something that occurs in the mind. No matter how bad it may feel, it’s just our minds escalating the issue! We have to take deep breaths, and maybe distract ourselves, which can take our minds off of the sickness. Again, you can get through this!!!

[@chlobuggie]

@@kaylamariamalloy same for you, it’s gone away mostly but it comes back sometimes. God bless you

[@knifenoscopeamv3400]

Hey Chloe, same here. Hope u r feeling better. Always stay strong, or at least try to. :/

[@luuk341]

To all of you, who have emetophobia like me, you are stronger and braver than you think. I nearly broke down crying before having to get on a bus today. I did it anyway, and you can too.

[@Cyphon]

me when i have to take a 30minute train ride to school everyday

[@delapenaandrewjhonb.5321]

Me too and It's sucks

[@xinyugf]

you understand me

[@frisk_cosplay1735]

Every time I have to go to bed, I always have a tablet or a phone play KZbin, so I can not hear my thoughts and cannot hear or think of someone else or myself throwing up... then I wake up in the middle of the night and my stomach hurts, I start to have a panic attack... it honestly sucks to have Emetophobia.

[@itspersonalchannel]

This is me every night.

[@knifenoscopeamv3400]

So relatable..

[@w225tz]

i am literally crying because i cannot believe that someone else is feeling the way i feel...

[@acupoftaewithsugaandakooki7649]

I do the same thing if I feel sick I watch tv it something to keep my mind off of it

[@bepop1630]

YES I ALWAYS DO THIS

[@yzzie.]

I want to go into the medical field, but my Emetophobia makes me too scared

[@larissaespinozar]

OMG I FEEL YOU! I was in Pre-Med in university but I gave up my dream because of my emetophobia. It sucks when you can’t live out your dreams because of a fear. I would intern at hospitals but would avoid the ER because I feared someone might throw up in front of me and I wouldn’t be able to run away because I would look like a coward. Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to get it together and join the medical field!

[@JulesEdelen]

YES, same. I was in school for nursing and during my first clinical a patient got sick and I straight up panicked. It wasn’t the only reason I dropped out but the thought of dealing with that on a regular basis definitely contributed.

[@tintin8280]

I have something to help you: try being a bone doctor! If you are scared of blood then idk

[@medof]

Hey, I’ve been struggling with emetophobia since I was 6. I’m 25 now and I still feel the same way I felt when I was a little kid. A few years ago, I decided I wanted to become a nurse and now I’m in nursing school. I’ve talked to friends about this irrational fear of throwing up (myself or someone else), and they all say to me “no one likes to throw up”, which is true, but it’s not that I just don’t like it, it’s that I’m so scared of it that I have panic attacks. It was a hard decision for me to choose to become a nurse. I want to become a nurse to help people and make them feel better. How unfair would it be if I let something as emetophobia take away my dream, when it already has taken so much already? I’ve been fighting against it every single day in my life for almost two decades, and I have no ideia if one day I’ll be completely free from it, but I’m willing to try. Don’t give up on your dream.

[@SPANIMATIONS4114]

@@medof I started when I was 4, It really sucks.

[@hndsome]

Who else gets nervous when they get nauseous and then it makes it 10x worse?

[@bpddrl7395]

yeah ahah! it’s all a big cycle i worry about being sick i feel slightly ill i worry about that i feel worse panic that i feel worse makes me feel worse. it’s really annoying

[@croissantmoon9340]

Yessssssss

[@StarTheCat]

Same here.

[@antoniacharry111]

Yess that’s literally me I feel nauseous right now and my panic attacks are making it worse

[@rosey5716]

So mee

[@dylandicus2192]

Literally hit it on the nail, I thought I was alone. I felt like she read my mind

[@Moe-t6i]

SAMEEEEEEE HEREEEEEEE

[@af963]

What I think is so terrifying, is how many of us did not puke in so long, because our phobia is so strong, that out brain keeps us from vomiting so extremely strong. Even if ur body would actually need it.

[@kati192]

I thought that too for a long time, but my mom told me that if we really had to throw up we wouldn't have time to think about it because it would just happen, so all the times we thought we would throw up was just our mind playing some tricks on us 👀 I think that's kinda a good thing, because we never actually had to do it

[@Cyphon]

@@kati192 exactly

[@Rika7380]

Yes.

[@haydenkharrazi]

Anyone else here who hasn’t vomited for a very long time so you can’t remember what it feels like, but your previous experience was traumatic? Like a terrible fear of the unknown mixed with PTSD

[@angsin6981]

ur so right.

[@uraveragehypochondriac64]

i've never thrown up before except for when i was four years old and i was so sick there was a possibility of death. i'm obviously better but that was my only experience with vomit. besides that so many people have thrown up on me before so i know for a fact my emetophobia stems from a sort of ptsd

[@skoyo3575]

The last time i threw up was like 4 years ago and after that i said hi maybe its not this bad as i tought it was and still i fear throwing up

[@rexx9496]

I have no idea what triggered mine. I'm 47 and last time I threw up I was maybe 8 years old. It was at school and I was in the bathroom. It didn't bother me at all when it was happening. But at some point within the next year the phobia developed. As a kid I would make pacts with god to be nice if he'd make sure to never let me throw up. I remember seeing a girl on the playground in 3rd grade vomit and immediately ran away in the opposite end of the school yard. And then I had developed all kinds of odd compulsions like not stepping on sidewalk cracks or else I'd vomit. I'd frequently come home from school early not feeling well. I'd go to the school nurse if I felt the slightest bit off because I could then be back home in a place that felt safe.

[@laz_reen]

I was confident that I'm not scared of throwing up anymore until I threw up two months ago after 6 years of not throwing up. Now I literally get panic attacks daily because I'm scared I might throw up, we crazy people

[@luckyblade4013]

V*mit is literally traumatic for me. I remember every time I've seen it in real life, every time it's happened to me and everytime I've heard it. I literally hate it so much.

[@helplesschildmu]

Thankyou for censoring the word- it triggers me alot

[@ymirist1162]

I want kids when I'm older but I'm way to scared to be pregnant because then I'll have morning sickness which means panic attacks and crying everyday. And I'm not suicidal but it's getting to the point where I'd rather be dead. To me it's better than the panic attacks and the nausea, but I know that's not a good way to think. YOUR NOT ALONE♥

[@camillemitchell301]

I am a fellow emetophobic person who is a mother and did not get sick with either one of my pregnancies. I felt nauseous and started to panic but eventually it stopped and I would calm down. Don't give up, There is hope!

[@db1496]

Omg when i read your comment, i really think that "this is me". I hope we can overcome this👊 you're not alone💕

[@teddybundy2084]

Me too I’m terrified of anything that could potentially make me sick. I always have thoughts of just ending everything so I won’t have to feel this way anymore because it is so so so so so horrifying

[@alexia964]

@@camillemitchell301 any tips for managing morning sickness?

[@craftsinthekitchen7400]

did it ever get better?????

[@joshuango7502]

To whoever reads this, my emetophobia died down ever since I was able to feel in control of my life. Meaning, ever since I became vegetarian and working out daily. This is all to help strengthen the mental thought process, so it would later prevent me from feeling weak. It is so important to have a good health system, even though it may seem very at first to do so. I am not saying to become a vegetarian or workout everyday, but just take a second to really think about your own health. Question what food you put into your body and how much exercise you do weekly.

[@kystbh1374]

can you explain to me how you were able to control it please? im so over having Emetophobia

[@kystbh1374]

@Brynn VanKauwenberg yessss

[@kalilavalezina]

Becoming vegetarian and exercising daily are safety-seeking behaviours and are part and parcel of the phobia. I know this, because this is what I did as well. I took it further and became vegan. Please get some help - I recommend Internal Family Systems. Wishing you all the best.

[@anjar.2910]

I did both of that and nothing changed for me...

[@bffbff6925]

@@anjar.2910 same

[@lightituplikedynamite3492]

My heart is racing watching this. It’s so relatable for me.

[@rayado8955]

Me too :(

[@mayf4iriez]

hey army :(

[@lightituplikedynamite3492]

@@mayf4iriez hey :( 💜💜 hope your having a good day

[@katyalagunez8123]

Hi army, you are not alone, this is awful but I know we can do this. 😞💜

[@lightituplikedynamite3492]

@@katyalagunez8123 ty, hope things get better :) 💜

[@yuh5339]

I remember when I was younger and having to deal with emetophobia. If I was watching a movie with someone and a vomitting scene was about to show up, I would run up to my room, close the door, and cover my ears because if I saw a vomitting scene I would freak out. There were a lot of movies where I'd have to do this, one being a Christmas movie and a kid was about to throw up. Hearing the burp/gagging noises set me on end and I wasn't expecting it, so I ran out of the room as fast as I could. Later that night I was nauseous. I think my emetophobia developed through me having OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) which causes me to obsess over things alot. Additionally, I threw up a lot as a kid because I had bad acid reflux and I didn't have good medication for it. So whenever I'm any sort of nausecous, I worry about throwing up and make myself miserable, which makes the nausea worse. Luckily, it's gotten better, but if anyone throws up near me I would probably have a mini panic attack. It's absolutely miserable to have to deal with, but it does get better, even if it never really goes away. Now I realize that vomitting is the body's way of getting rid of harmful stuff from your stomach, and it's a natural thing (but often associated with illness), although it's still hard to even read the word "vomit" without feeling sick. It would make me not want to eat food in fear of getting a stomach ache. But it does get better over time, I promise.

[@Hello-vw8gc]

omg yes same i would feel scared if anyone in movies puked and i literally felt nervous just reading this 😂

[@fleurrobeti7759]

Oh gosh same, and my siblings thought it was funny, it’s really hard honestly

[@glassypunstm7080]

same the movie part is so true especially when ur in cinemas and you cover your ears and eyes and everyone is like cmon its not a big deal

[@lfufyxh9818]

Omg I swear I developed ocd when i was 12 do to my fear of vomiting...I’d have to do things a certain way such as washing my hands 3 times or swallowing 3 times and I wasn’t able to use the numbers 6 or 2 and if I did then a voice in my head would threaten me saying “if you don’t do this you’re gonna throw up” which got my really anxious and it got really bad I was constantly doing things 3 times but i got control of it now but still have the fear of throwing.

[@glassypunstm7080]

@@lfufyxh9818 exactly!!!

[@tainnted8764]

tips i’ve learned (as an emetophobe) 1. carry anti nausea medication on you at all times, 2. make sure you always have water with you at all times, 3. consider talking to your doctor about anxiety medication, (Ask about SSRI’s - non addictive) 4. carry gum and a “crutch” something that helps calm you down should you go into a panic, 5. research and learn that you are not alone, you are apart of a community that understands and helps eachother. i believe in you, you can do anything. this fear doesn’t define who you are. 🤍🤍🤍

[@couldbe8348]

Doesn’t that just reinforce the emetophobia

[@alexia964]

@@couldbe8348 yes

[@mariafernandavelarde8057]

Hydroxyzine is a good antiemetic and relaxing medication.

[@Cyphon]

glad that we have similar tips/comfort factors against our emetophobia :)

[@kryse4944]

I can't put anything in my mouth when I feel like that!

[@jimhalpert6302]

God, it’s so refreshing to see a whole community of people who has experienced emetophobia and that I’m not crazy. I was always laughed at when the emetophobia was at it’s peak. It got worse every year when my family would get the stomach flu, and it was terrifying just waiting to catch the sickness and I was always the last one to. Even when kids threw up in the middle of class, my heart would pound, I would experience dizziness, and muscle weakness, and feel nauseous myself which made the panic attack worse. I hate this fear so much, even though it’s gotten better, I’m still so unsure about what I would do if I had kids and they threw up. How would I be able to handle not only seeing them throwing up but cleaning it, and taking care of them? I fear I wouldn’t be able to be there for them bc I would instead have a panic attack. So if someone has a fear that you don’t understand, your response should not be teasing them, be respectful and listen, bc you have no idea how much this fear can take up their life.

[@eval9780]

I’ve had this same exact thought

[@couldbe8348]

We’re with you!!

[@jimhalpert6302]

@@couldbe8348 ❤️❤️❤️

[@Rika7380]

I want to have children but them I was hit with the thought of morning nausea and now I am terrified.

[@xinyugf]

Honestly i cant even be around kids because im scared of them having the flu because theyre kids yknow? and also i dont really want a child but if i did id still not get one because i wouldnt be able to deal w if my child has the flu and throws up and i know i sound literally insane to anyone who isn’t emetophobic but this is just my reality

[@ellietootoo]

i’m almost 14 and i have emetophobia. it’s hard, i have to deal with it everyday. when i get a tiny feeling in my stomach, i immediately have a panic attack and begin crying and hyperventilating. this video made me burst into tears. it is true, i have to live with this and learn how to handle this. but sometimes i think “what if it never gets better?”

[@croissantmoon9340]

You are definitely not alone. I'm 14 and I have the same thing you're going through. Let's hope together that we can one day overcome this awful phobia.

[@imthebaddestalive3130]

I get it. That happened to me today. I was car sick lol and was crying from my emetophpbia. It’s so severe

[@arodriguez2097]

Im 14 and have horrible emetophobia as well it’s so bad that I would rather die than throw up and anytime I feel sick the first thing I think is that ima throw up and it puts me in horrible panic, also any time I get prescribed a medication I have to research it and I have to take to see If nausea/vomiting is one of the side effects and then I won’t take the medication and if I do have to take the it then I’ll have the worst panic for the whole day thinking km going to throw up, I’ve had this fear for maybe 4 years now and overtime I’ve learned to talk to myself and tell myself that if im gonna have to throw up it’s gonna happen whether i like it or not. I’m sorry for anyone else that’s going thru this because it’s sucks so much and has affected my mental health in the worst ways possible

[@jewelsy_]

i’m almost 18 and have suffered with this since around 4th grade. people don’t realize how hard it is to manage. every little thing sets me off, whether it’s a word, food, or i don’t feel good. it has made me so scared for the rest of my life. this video made me cry as well, and so did a lot of the comments. it’s oddly comforting realizing i’m not alone in feeling this way.

[@NeurosussyX]

@@jewelsy_ what treatment / meds / lifestyle changes have you made to try and overcome it?

[@saraviolet6429]

My best-friend got sick (vomited) today and I was in the car with her. I’ve had this phobia my whole life due to a traumatic experience involving a family member. And I have had three anxiety attacks since the car ride today and it’s only been 4 hours. I feel sick myself because I haven’t eaten anything yet today and my anxiety is causing me to feel un-well. I have tried therapy, counselling, meditation, journaling, distracting myself and so much more. And NOTHING has helped me. It still continues to follow me through my every day life. I hear voices in my head everyday because of my anxiety and OCD. Food, flu season, hospitals, children, people who are sick or have been recently sick trigger my anxiety, because I know there is a possibility I could get sick. I panic when I’m nauseous and I eat TUMS (heartburn and stomach cramps remedy) like candy every time I get nauseous. And what makes it worse is I haven’t vomited since I was about 5 and I am now 16. I have forgotten what it feels like to be sick and that scares me even more. So if you have this phobia, I UNDERSTAND YOU. It is a crippling fear/phobia to have and it makes you push people away when all you really want is to hug them and be with them every second of every day. YOU. ARE. NOT. ALONE.❤️

[@craftsinthekitchen7400]

I am 15 and I feel the SAME WAY. Did it ever get better?????

[@J-cm4yu]

She is powerful. She struggles with emetophobia and still went on stage knowing you could throw up from stage fright. You go girl!!

[@princess181800]

I too have this, my sister would get sick alot and when I hear her I could hear my heart pounding, I cover my ears and cry and panic , I will go to a hotel if anyone around me has a stomach bug, I haven't thrown up since I was 9 and I'm 26, If I throw up I think I will stop breathing honestly

[@DeepBlue7]

I went from age 10 to 30 without vomiting. When it finally happened do you know what the worst part was? It wasn't throwing up. It was the damn anxiety.

[@Jesse-rj5et]

Melanie Sander Yeah, as soon as it’s over..it’s almost a relief. Even though I sit in the bathroom crying.

[@hunnybees9869]

Same here I’ve had this issue for as long as I remember the last time I puked was at 8 years old and I’m 30. I’ve come so close sometimes but I fight it so much it’s awful. I’m just so terrified for when it actually ends up happening 😞

[@mariaalmanzar7939]

I am 26 years too and I suffer from fear of throwing up too. I haven't in years as well but I felt nausea last week and got anxiety because I felt like I was going to be sick but I wasn't. But we can't let this control us no matter how hard it is. Unfortunately, it happens sometimes like diarrhea or anything else. Yes, its unpleasant but my mom says it's normal. And the feeling with pass. Just relax and let it be if it will be.I pray for all of us to get through this!! The mind is a strong thing don't let it get you down and control your life!!❤

[@catherinebirch2399]

@@DeepBlue7 How did you manage to avoid getting sick for 20 years then break the streak? Did you get drunk?

[@USN4V1]

I suffer from emetephobia, whenever I hear someone feels sick, I immediately cover my ears and close my eyes. This happened to me in a cramped bus, someone got motion sickness and threw up. I can't believe all of you have survived and fought this, just as me! I'm so glad I'm not the only one! Keep fighting everyone! I'll try my best as well! 🥺♥️

[@ItsLeahhhhhh]

Same!! It happened to me last night. My parents were watching a movie and I was with them and someone in the movie threw up I immediately covered and closed my eyes and ears

[@colinmoroney5968]

Listening to this while trying to calm down from a panic attack induced from Emetephobia :) Love reading all these comments and seeing everyone being able to relate to it

[@itsxannie]

reading all the comments makes me feel like i’m not insane and validates my severe reaction to v* . it’s rly nice to know i’m not alone bc it rly feels like it. when i first started dating my bf a couple years ago and we were watching a movie i literally screamed and cried and had a terrible panic attack and ran out of the house w no phone no shoes and he couldn’t find me. he was initially rly upset (more worried tho than anything bc when i would run i was basically blacked out mentally) but when i explained my issue he has always been great about it since. always looks up/watches movies before showing them to me, being extra empathetic and understanding and just all around incredible. it’s terrible to feel so embarrassed by irrational fears but when people can relate it makes you feel like one day you’ll be able to overcome your fears.

[@lucaleandri]

My emetophobia js my number one anxiety when it comes to having a girl friend 😰 you were so lucky he'd understand you... I had an experience like that and I had no other choice to call my mom, it was one of my worst experience with my emetophobia. It really makes me feel I will be alone for the rest of my life... Even having friends is difficult with that phobia

[@mikaylawinchell5974]

Having emetophobia is the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. I’m so glad I’m not alone! Love and prayers to anyone who deals with this

[@psalm5537]

I’m crying this so sad

[@ineptpacific5717]

kaci world well it’s our life.

[@laxmiruthpakhrin4494]

Yes me too

[@KatieSDirr]

THATS MY BEST FRIEND EVERYBODY.

[@jenniferbonilla445]

nobody cares tbhh

[@peterc3262]

Tell her I say thanks from thousands of miles away. I listened to her talk tonight while having a panic attack brought on by feeling nauseous. Listening to her speak really helped.

[@user-bj1or6ir9o]

@@jenniferbonilla445 nobody cares about what u have to say

[@yara7rbi589]

Jennifer Bonilla why not be positive?

[@jessicahayes5188]

You should be proud! That speech was very much needed. Go best frannnn 😎❤️ ayeeeee

[@nolakatemusic7735]

Wow. I don't know what to say. This speaker described my life in almost everything she said. I'm just speechless.

[@sunnyrush6138]

I relate to this a lot. I'm mostly scared to vomit in public,like school for example. It's so mentally draining for me and I'm so tired of being scared everytime I go out. To anyone with this condition, you aren't alone ♥️♥️ Just take it day by day ❤️

[@spaceananas666]

Im having a crisis right now... Its literally the story of my life... I feel like i'm not alone thank you this is amazing I really needed this

[@sofiamora7283]

Im here for you ! I hope you’re feeling better @spaceananas666

[@introvertforlife898]

I have severe anxiety, loneliness, depression, and emetophobia. I am exhausted. Poor girl, I relate. Also I try to appease God by being an angel too because I’m so scared of v* lmao

[@qawahbeautyllc9233]

me too. i related so much to this. I am lonely in this too also. You're not alone

[@harishs3878]

I’m also in this I prefer to stay indoors in order to vomit

[@Ceroshanimm]

Me too,I have severe anxiety,loneliness,depression and emetophobia.Shall we be friends?

[@esther.slocum]

God doesn’t need you to be an angel, he just needs you to be yourself, you don’t have to do anything for him to love you, he already does :)

[@nikilec6876]

Reading these comments makes me feel less alone in dealing with this. I’ve had emetophobia since I was little. I threw up and my father screamed at me. Another time, my friend threw up in my fathers car, and he yelled at her so ridiculously loud. It scared me to death, so I associate throwing up with never being ok. The feeling of it, it’s like I cannot allow it, even though I understand it’s a natural response in the body. Through the years it’s caused me to become agoraphobic- I’m scared if I’m away from home I’m going to get sick, everyone is going to see, I’m going to be uncomfortable and inconvenience everyone around me. So I haven’t traveled in 20 years. It’s helped ruin relationships and held my life back. I’m both sad and glad I’m not alone in dealing with this. I’ve gotten a little better because even though I haven’t thrown up in years, I’m nauseous almost every day, so I’ve become used to it I guess. I realize it’s probably more in my head, so I’ve started accepting it. What I find interesting is after reading some posts, other people have the same rituals as I do or carry around the same things I do. I am never without these things in my house or possession: Peppermints, pepto bismol, ginger ale, crackers, prescription anti nausea meds and oddly enough- apples. Apples have seriously saved me from nausea many times. People think I’m insane when they see me pull an apple out of my bag, but I don’t care. Sometimes I lie and say I’m hypoglycemic or something. Sometimes I tell the truth and say they settle my stomach. I also stopped eating when I was little because I thought the same, no food, can’t throw up. But I quickly realized this didn’t help and I felt more sick. I plan on starting therapy again to help cope with this. I don’t know if I’ll ever overcome it, but I do believe I can better cope with it if I retrain my thought process. I believe we all can. Throwing up is NOT the worst thing in the world. I’ve been to the point where I’d rather die than throw up. But if you try to understand it from an outside point of view, it’s not something that lasts- it does pass. So why would I let something so temporarily uncomfortable/scary control my entire life?! I’m ready to set this down, I’ve been carrying it way too long. If you’re reading this, I wish you the best in working through this. You’re strong and it’s not easy, but you can do it.

[@frisk9052]

I’m going through a severe battle with emetophobia currently. I’ve had it since I was 5 but the pandemic heightened the fear and it took going back to school in person a year and a half later to finally calm me down again. Just when I thought I was doing better, life threw a lot of obstacles at me and I stopped going to school for the last three months. I was trying to stay in school, but everyday I felt my stomach churning and I just knew that it had to be that day that I was going to get sick. So I went to the counselor’s office, and I went home. They didn’t allow that for very long. It’s summer now, and I want to get better. I want to be able to go out without panicking and I want my friends to never experience me shaking and crying worrying that I’m going to throw up again. But I’m so deep into this spiral, I genuinely don’t believe that anything is going to make me feel better. No meds, no therapy, I’m too unmotivated to try. I know that if I don’t I won’t be able to go back to school in the fall, and that I’ll end up in a treatment program or even a hospital, but I have no hope anymore. Emetophobia is hard. It sucks, it’s not pretty. Nobody’s experience with it is easy. No matter how it manifests, you’re valid. There’s no one way to feel it. You are not wrong to feel this way, but that doesn’t mean you should let it control your life. Take care of yourself.

[@haleystephen7675]

I look in the mirror and pray to God every night before I go to sleep because every time I get sick, it's always in the night. I have panic attacks in school I freak out when someone says they don't feel good If someone I know got sick, I then avoid them to the best of my abilities I hate this phobia I hate myself for not being able to handle it I hate being scared of going to sleep at night I hate myself for getting into this fear in the first place By God, I want out. Please let me out of this cycle.

[@Shrimpin-Pimpin]

I feel you. My sister got carsick on a road trip a while back, and I couldn't sleep for nearly 3 days. I can't even look at food without thinking "Am I going to get sick from this?"

[@eval9780]

Same

[@debmcintyre2011]

I'm 11 I have emetophobia. I've told people but nobody gets it. if you tell me something about you feeling sick or anything wrong (even if not stomach related), you better know I'll be avoiding you for the week

[@ransam2189]

We here understand you honey

[@glassypunstm7080]

i felt this

[@acupoftaewithsugaandakooki7649]

Yeah if any of my brothers say that thier stomach hurt or if the are nauseous I stay in my room until the next day

[@eval9780]

I’m also 11

[@eval9780]

My sisters stomach hurt and I went into this continuous cycle of asking questions because how much anxiety

[@Tavster_]

Im on the bus from my boyfriends, he was ill and gosh the amount of anxiety i have right now, hearing about everyone else is helping a lot

[@GalacticRainestorm]

I have emetophobia horribly. It’s dreadful and it bothers me. I’m 13 and I’ve had emetophobia. It started in 2nd grade when the girl that sat next to me in school and threw up ALL over the desk. My legs were shaky, I was sweaty and shaky, I was breathing heavy- this was the first encounter with it. It sorta stemmed from nothing, except I hate vomit, I cant stand seeing people vomit, hearing people vomit, vomiting- I haven’t vomited in around 5 years (yet.) but I have come close many times. I’ll get in the cycle of being afraid of getting sick, that making me feel sick, me getting more worried and just feeling even more sick. It’s awful. I don’t know why I have to suffer like this but I’m kind of glad I still get nauseous here and there because it helps me refresh on my coping skills. Whenever I get nauseous, I think: 1. Did I eat anything bad? Eat too much or too little? If I ate too fast, it’ll pass, same with too little, I just need to eat something slowly and sip on preferably a drink like water or tea 2. Was I around someone who was ill? Was I in a place with a lot of germs? If yes, I think to when and normally I come with the conclusion that it wouldn’t kick in yet, or I would’ve gotten sick from it already. 3. I remember, I have general anxiety disorder. This is my daily life, and even when I’m distracted it’s still sitting in the back of my mind, I know it’s just that and that if I continue worrying I could get sick. So I just breathe and act normal, sometimes get up and just walk around my room for a minute, or distract myself, and if the distraction works, I know it’s just in my head. What happens is it gets worse when I tell people in the moment, worry, freak out. So my key point is to NOT freak out. If you freak out, it’s going to make things worse. Remember, it may just be in your head, and even if you’re sick, it’s mind over matter. And if it still does happen, it’s gonna happen, and we have to accept that at some point in our lives it may happen again. BUT, we need to not worry about when or how it will happen because that will make you feel worse. Thank you for this video, and the pink bunny thing is kind of helpful ! That’s why I don’t try too hard trying not to think about it, and I focus on other coping mechanisms like taking deep breaths, walking around, watching something entertaining to take my mind off of it, taking sips of water, etc. I have learned to get through it and you can too!! ☺️

[@bgskytours1822]

Mayaka Great story! I agree! the more you think about it the worst is gonna get. Also because you can vomit from panic and stress.

[@GalacticRainestorm]

@@bgskytours1822 Yeah. Exactly, that's why I randomly get nauseous sometimes. I start to feel a little icky from either not eating in a while, eating too fast, being stressed or nervous about something, etc. and I go into a panic but when I realize it's in my head it goes away

[@Leah-nk3ly]

I feel the same, anytime someone coughs once or for a prolonged amount of time by heart pounds and I start shaking. After I eat something sometimes I sit down and think about what I just ate and I get nauseous. Once a friend threw up in front of me and I ran from the room so I could hyperventilate and cry in peace, I avoided going near her house or messaging her for weeks, it was irrational but at the time it made sense. She was so confused and upset as to why I aired her when she was ill and I tried to explain but I don’t think she understood. My sisters are prone to getting sick, they have weak immune systems and stomachs and that doesn’t help my case. My phobia stemmed from about two or so years ago when my sister threw up on the plane, it was so cramped, I couldn’t escape, I wasn’t even sitting next to her yet I felt that the ‘particles’ were floating through the air and were going to make me sick too. Whenever my sisters get sick at home I’ll avoid using the place where they did it for ages until I ‘feel like it’s been cleaned enough and that it’s faded’. An example, my sister choked on her food while laughing and threw up, I hadn’t even finished mine but I left the table immediately, she did it near the tv remote which I avoided using for months. I hate it so much but I can’t help it, I’m able to refrain myself from crying but the shaking is still there. In the past when going through or near the area that was thrown up in I would hold my breath.

[@meredithrose33]

this is exactly how i believe my fear started too, the same thing happened to me same grade and everything 😭 i’m 19 now and it still gives me crippling anxiety being around someone who is nauseous or being nauseous myself. some things that i find really help are massaging my pressure point for nausea (three fingers below wrist), spraying aromatherapy (specifically the peppermint one) and taking very deep breaths or hold my breath a bit.

[@paulacarolineperezrickert2757]

I have Emetophobia since I can remember and I was always told that I was exaggerating, that it was me seeking for attention. They saw me crying, hyperventilating and shaking because of my fear and gave me the feeling I am not loveable because of this. I am so glad to know that this actually exists on other people too.

[@poggerslordclaire9790]

i rarely have panic attacks anymore from emetophobia so i promise all of you that you can somewhat over come this. No matter what it will always be in the back of your head. But this girl is right. you need to face your fears instead of trying to get rid of it. You need to be aware of your fear and it will help you so much more.

[@maddie599]

What are some examples of things I can do to face it?

[@mist273]

@@maddie599 Hey, my two cents 9 months later. This is what seems to work for me, you might need to experiment to find what works best for you: 1. I make plans and decisions when I'm feeling well as opposed to when I'm feeling bad. Then I follow them even with nausea and endure suffering with pain meditation. At some point you will be well enough again to thank yourself for doing what you wanted to do, even with anxiety or nausea. Sometimes I fail to go through or have to stop mid-way, but even then I learn a little more on how to handle panic. Just keep doing it. 2. In the moment, I stop saying to myself "do this or do that to stop this", "what if I get really sick now that I'm far from home?", etc... and I say instead "bring it on", "let's throw up and move on", etc. What you avoid grows larger; what you look at dissapears. Don't try to get out of it, go towards it. This will take courage but you will feel immensely better afterwards. You've got nothing to lose. In the worst cases I've had, it always gets better after a few days, so... endure long enough, and you will inevitably prevail. 3. Try to make it easier for yourself by identifying your triggers and implement ways to mitigate it - it won't save you from it, but it will make it easier to handle. For example, in my case an empty stomach and motion sickness in trips are both major triggers. Does this mean I stop traveling? Well, maybe a little when I can, but if I do want to go somewhere I just buy my ticket and get myself into the freaking bus/plane no matter the anxiety. I just make sure that (if possible) I'm well rested, I have a healthy diet the days before, I eat something before I board, and I carry with me more 'emergency' food/medication. You shouldn't expect your preparations to solve the issue though... as a side effect they usually reduce the frequency of the episodes, but not always. Think of them as caring for yourself so you have an easier time while going through it. Also, you don't _actually_ need them during your panic attack, so don't dispair if you are not 'prepared', make yourself remember in the moment that you will arrive to the other side of it, with or without preparations.

[@xinyugf]

i also stopped having a ton of them but unfortunately recently theyve been even more than ever..

[@Luna-ch9us]

Hysterically crying because I feel seen. This phobia has rules my life for 27 years.

[@mamzzzmam]

I'm in my 16th year here. I don't know if we'll ever see the end of this, but I want to believe that we will. Sending love to you. 💖

[@Luna-ch9us]

@@mamzzzmam sending you love back 💛 I'm on the support group on Reddit and Facebook.

[@Airinlynn]

I totally understand stand this phobia. Emetophobia can take over your whole life and it can make every decision for you, creating anxiety making you feel like your the only one going through it. I remember people telling me they thought I had an eating disorder cause I was too skinny. I was avoiding food just like her because I thought if I ate then there was a chance I would get sick. If someone said they didn't feel good I was sent into a panic attack. Being in a public space caused anxiety attacks cause I was scared of throwing up in public or getting the stomache flu. even the word vomit triggered my phobia or watching it on TV. I had panic attacks constantly and started to become ocd. I started to create rituals. In my head I had to do the rituals or else I would throw up if I didn't. I've had this fear for over 24 years now and I will say with therapy and a couple of stomache flus it has gotten better, more tolerable. But I still have days, months, and hours, when I start obsessing over if I'm gonna get the flu or if I'm going throw up. I still always have to have some type of peppermint on me or Pepto bismol because I hate feeling any form of nausea. Although I know how to manage my fear better, I think it might always be there, which sucks. Some days I feel sorry for myself and curse this phobia, and other days it doesn't even cross my mind. So I guess there is hope because 10 years ago there was never a single moment I didn't live in my fear or think about vomit.

[@lucaleandri]

Wow I thought emetophobia would go away with time 😰

[@Србомбоница86]

@@lucaleandri it never goes away ,you just learn to control it and tame it

[@olivia.birch1414]

is it any better now? i’m 16 and i’ve been dealing with nausea from my anxiety and emetophobia every single day and i can’t live my life. no friends, online school and i have no license cause i live in constant anxiety. any tips?

[@Beriosonathan]

I literally have this phobia since I was 5. Until now, it's very hard to live with this fear. Not being able to take care of my nephews when they are sick. Can't be around drunk guys. All situations that involve vomit, I totally hate it. I fear people who want to vomit, I fear people who are vomiting, I fear hearing people vomit, I don't like to see vomit, I fear smelling vomit, and biggest fear is that I'm gonna vomit. I'd rather die than to throw up.

[@kathilagac4728]

Same

[@paigecolby10]

There are so many things in this video that I could unfortunately relate to. For years I’ve had my fear invalidated by people who didn’t understand it, and it’s so incredibly validating to know there are others who feel the same way.

[@lfufyxh9818]

I literally can not use the number 6. But anyways my fear is throwing up I use to say I would rather die then get sick. And I feel like there’s a voice in my head and if I don’t do the thing it tells me it threatens me that I will get sick cause that’s my fear. It’s actually controlling my life at this point which really affects me

[@aidenceja3747]

i thought i was alone that happens to me and i thought it was god but it was not....

[@katelynsbalderdash9469]

I'm so sorry. Are you by any chance better now?

[@lfufyxh9818]

Katelyn's Balderdash yes I still have to do things certain ways but it’s not as bad at it was before

[@gracemward]

i can relate so much to this :/ it took me so long to finally get over/control the voice in my head but i eventually did it, it sounds so simple typing it but i just told myself that its just the voice in my head trying to control me and the things its making me do wont make me throw up. After i stopped i was fine, the same as before just less stressed and controlled. i still have a huge fear of throwing up but atleast i got over the ocd. hope that helped and i hope you're better now

[@lfufyxh9818]

@@gracemward hey girl idk what it was I’m not trying to self diagnose myself but I think I might’ve had ocd...I’ve had it since grade 7 but it was pre bad back then...but lately it’s like almost completely gone so that’s good but I still have a fear of throwing up I’ve had it since I was in like grade 3 or something I hope i get the fear away the more I grow up...but for now I’m doing alright.

[@Zoefab_]

I had always had panic at the feeling of vomiting even as a child, but when I vomited blood twice and went to the ER in middle school, it became a phobia. For at least a year, every single night I would have panic attacks thinking about the possibility that I would wake up feeling sick. If someone around me had a stomach issue, I would (LITERALLY) run the opposite direction. I still to this day will do anything in my power to avoid throwing up, but my phobia comes around when I worry about certain food I'm eating and it possibly making me sick, rather than on random occasions. I am glad this video exists and I send my love to everyone in this comment section. We are going to be okay

[@crazygirlontheblock311]

Same,I’m terrified of eating raw meat and eggs because I don’t want to get sallmonella. I cant even touch the sink my mums used after cooking meat. I hate how it controls my life.

[@catherinebirch2399]

How did you vomit blood at such a young age? Normally it only happens to older people with ulcers or cancer.

[@TF_-sb4nv]

When I was 5, I threw up 5 times in one day and then it ended. I remember throwing up and then not really caring at all. But after that I just started getting super nervous when I felt nauseous and at amusement parks, I wouldn't get on any because I was too scared of getting sick. I still do and it hurts. So to anyone reading this, YOU. ARE. NOT. ALONE. All of us here have the same thing and we all are sorry that we have to suffer from this. ❤️❤️

[@roar443]

I am JUST finding out about this years after I have recovered. It would have helped me a lot to know I’m not alone. So everyone out there who is struggling with this - You’re not alone! I know how difficult this is, but give it some time and this will all be over. I used to have this but it gradually disappeared. Take care of yourself, ily! ❤️

[@anesajashari3922]

can you pleasee give us some tips? or what helped you recover plsss

[@user-cn9pm9kc2r]

I have emetophobia my whole life, and I feel like all my life is based on this. I wish I could go to roller coasters, eat how much I wanted to but I can’t. But one day I’ll get better. We’re all going to get better

[@xinyugf]

me too. i wish i could eat at many restaurants and not worry the food will make me sick, because i wont be able to see it be made. i want to eat different foods that might make my stomach feels a little off but not send me into insane panic like most normal people. ot truly is a curse . i just want to live a normal life like everyone else

[@mrboss20ten]

Throwing up isn't the bad part. It's the anxiety that gets me

[@Србомбоница86]

No,throwing up is the worst

[@Thewawacat_]

xactly

[@TheVanessaBorrini]

Had this since I was a little kid and now I’m 29. This phobia ruins your life. I missed so much and I’m still trying to fight it

[@M4CYL0L4XX]

When I tell someone how I feel about emetophobia no one understands, they call me ridiculous. It takes over everything.

[@Cyphon]

exactly. im here with you though. we can make it.

[@a.naa_37g.5]

im pretty brave and fearless but my emetophobia is what affects me

[@arilizzie]

Yeha literally. I’d rather do anything else but vomit I swear.

[@julianagrutzmann2223]

I can't imagine the amount of courage you must have mustered to share this publicly. I've been living with emetophobia for almost 25 years and to this day I find it extremely hard to talk about it openly. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

[@ediedog9076]

I’ve got emetephobia and it is horrible, but at least we’ve got each other ❤️🌎 We need to stick together

[@CalebTRBLX]

I have had emetophobia for four years now and I always think that since I haven’t thrown up in the last 4 and a half that it will happen soon and it’s super terrible

[@emma_bean514]

I’ve been battling this for years. And it was triggered when my grandpa passed. I don’t know why. It stops me from doing so much in life because I’m terrified of throwing up in public.

[@Florence-go2uq]

I remember whenever i felt sick or i would refuse to eat my food if it was undercooked, my brothers would fake gag and laugh. It was so horrible and whenever i feel the slightest bit sick i will have panic attacks, i will cry and have an emotional breakdown

[@alsowirklich3370]

i feel you. But your inner Strength is far more greater than anything there is on this world. You will WIN

[@SilenceYouBeast]

This made me tear up, every Emetophobe has probably gone through similar thought processes as this lady. I like how she presented, and I agree with her - my phobia will never be gone, but I have learned to cope with it. Do whilst doubting, best advice for trying to lead a normal life. Every meal not cooked by me, eating meat, going out, kissing my Fiance, seeing people, using a public toilet, going abroad, someone coughing, someone on TV being sick, visiting the hospital, going on rides. I do all these things now, and every time that pink bunny rabbit runs through my head, and I do them anyway. I have not been sick for 16 years, one episode could set me back years of progress and leave me unhinged for months. I live my life anyway, and I am glad I do. Screw you pink bunny!

[@Lexendor]

My emetophobia prevents me from eating before going to places. If i feel nauseous i go do my breathing exercises and brush my teeth to take the flavor and thoughts away. But where the heck can i do that at the store? the park? doctors appointment? The interesting thing about emetophobia is how one finds their comfort activity. like i said, mine is brushing my teeth, and then i go play some games to ease the thoughts and feelings more. As i was typing all of this i noticed how comfortable i was sharing this information. discussing my fears with other people who don’t understand can be tough and challenging, but knowing that i’m not alone and everyone in the comments is just like me..❤️‍🩹i feel safe.

[@xx_gothgirl_xx606]

I have emetophobia and I'm only 11 years old and i was feeling a panic attack coming on but after watching this video I calmed down thxs

[@JosephDunn-b1v]

Found myself welling up at the end of that speech. Felt so relatable but also inspirational, the battle she has gone through to get to where she is. We all have the power to improve our lives. I feel very proud of this person I have never met

[@hunterdoss3433]

I have this phobia so bad with OCD that I am petrified of eating and drinking. It’s so hard to get myself going every single day, but I make it through.

[@wisteriaaa_23]

Hey, so I am 16 years old and I have been dealing with emetophobia for a long time. I’m currently in bed trying to avoid being sick. I am using voice chat to type this because I’m too busy holding my drink. For everyone who is struggling like me, I am so sorry and things will get better.

[@yahelrubio970]

I'm crying right now, it feels so good to know that I'm not the only one, it all started when I was 5 years old, I had no idea what was happening to me, I felt like throwing up but I never did, I started having panic attacks without knowing what They were, my parents did not understand what was happening to me, the years passed and now they knew that I had an irrational fear of vomiting, stomach pain, getting sick in general, I stopped eating, I got malnourished, I had anxiety every day, my parents no longer knew what to do with me, from so many times I screamed! I think I'm going to vomit, but after almost 7 years I finally began to understand that I'm not crazy, that more people have the same thing as me. Now, although I'm still terrified of vomiting, at least I know that more people have the same thing as me.

[@keziahcadena2001]

Ive suffered with emetophobia for 13 years now (I’m 19) and my safe number is 3, and my emetophobia got so bad when my dad passed away. I lost so much weight. Developed insomnia bc I didn’t want to wake up TU. So I’d rather not sleep. But, fast forward 2 years, I’m a lot better. I went on this rough journey on my own and God but I know I’ll be okay. I’m resilient and strong 💖

[@D1_Stoops]

As a person with severe anxiety in the form of emetophobia, I just would like to say that it is without a doubt the hardest and most challenging fear to overcome. With many phobias, You can escape from ( for example, Arachnophobia you can just go in your house or something ) With emetophobia there is no escape at all. And a lot of times you feel trapped and feel as if there is no escape from throwing up. Panic attacks can happen at any time, anywhere.

[@no_you_hang_up]

“Do and doubt at the same time”… love it

[@ddeulgip251]

It kinda sucks when you have emetophobia and you want to be a doctor. My mind is like: I would rather examine and see a lot of blood than puke of other people

[@H20fanatic20]

I always carry ginger, and peppermint when I feel it, the nausea

[@TheCircle000]

Incredible speech! As an emetophobe, I can completely relate to her. Her courage brings joy to my heart.

[@fooooked]

she was so brave to talk about this, i talk about a few things in my life but i would never talk to anyone about this because i feel they just won’t understant

[@8Soul-Light8]

Bless you! My daughter referred me to this talk because she identifies with this. I had whooping cough when I was a child and vomited violently 10 or so times a day for over a month. After that whenever I got sick, I would suffer such terrible anxiety. It was difficult dealing with morning sickness when I was older but I did and each time I was sick I would face that feeling and those fears which for me I realised was a fear I would die because of the choking during the whooping cough. I am in my fifties now and haven’t feared being sick for over a decade. Healing takes time. I never had therapy as a child, I don’t think it existed. For those who can’t get access to therapy, you will be ok. I just one day understood that I wanted and deserved to live a life without fear. I realised that fear was an imposter that was infecting my life and I had suffered enough. I learned to love myself and my life. Whenever I get anxious now I just simply take care of myself and nurture myself so I am my own best friend, understanding that everyone else has fears as well. There’s nothing wrong with me or anyone else. Life is precious, don’t let anything get in its way.

[@kawaiisakura23]

I wanna cry so bad right now this is exactly my situation my bf just threw up this morning and even though it’s probably not a flu I’m still shaking and terrified 😓😓😓

[@mariadavidson3243]

I’ve been watching these videos for a little while now, and I realize I have had emetophobia after denying it for years. Videos like this inspire me to not let my anxiety of throwing up rule my life and it makes me feel more in control.

[@partondollysophie]

I have emetophobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, my number is currently 8, but sometimes it changes. This fear has totally changed my life into negative. I hope I can beat it one day

[@fronkthedonk4267]

this talk always makes me super emotional because my story is almost identical to hers, down to the age of onset, daily panic attacks, ocd, restrictive eating, and even being triggered by a stomach bug passed around my dance class. i’ve gotten a lot better but still have a long way to go. the phrase i used to repeat in my mind to try to “prevent” vomiting was literally “i’d rather die than vomit i’d rather die than vomit i’d rather die than vomit” so at least i’m not at that point anymore lol. stories like these are the only reason i still have the tiniest bit of hope

[@strawbiq]

the memories i have of every single time i have heard or seen someone throw up haunt me to this day, more than those of myself throwing up. theres nothing i hate more than when my mouth starts watering while im nauseous. i dont even run to the toilet because i genuinly dont want to accept my fate. ill never forget when i was 10 and my mom had a migraine, she was sick all morning. we all lived in a tiny apartment at the time so there was no "safe spot" for me to go where the sound didnt travel. the shaking, the rapid heart beat, the panic, and i wasnt even SEEING it. i remember from then on i avoided that toilet for the rest of the time we lived there (2 years) and even though it was inconvenient (there was one other bathroom that was occupied by my siblongs 90% of the time) i would do anything to avoid it. emetophobia affects ppl sm more than just dreading throwing up, even tho it seems like such a minor part of life. i wish some of my family members could see this :(

[@ASDM_Gaming]

Same I don’t know anyone personally with this fear so I don’t have anyone to talk to about it

[@milky94]

I am so glad I am not alone! My emetophobia feels like I am mentally stuck and I want out so badly. When I have a panic attack I feel cold sweat, I shiver, I clench my teeth not to gag, and any movement I make feels like it would trigger me to vomit. If someone gets too close, I would gag. (5m is way way too close!). Even entering a different room with different smells would! When it happens it feels like I am trapped. I can't go forward in time, back, sideways, there's no way around. The only thing that helps is clenching my teeth as hard as possible, stop any movement, and remind myself that "I haven been vomit free since 2005, so why today?". Standing in sunlight also calms me. All these years I have trained myself to endure the gag reflex and also make it seem like a cough for the sake of others. Exposure to changing environments, such as long haul flights and travel has helped me a lot. Getting into a routine where everything is familiar also helped me.

[@kalilavalezina]

For those interested in therapy, I recommend Internal Family Systems. CBT/exposure can be brutal if your therapist isn't very sensitive. IFS is extraordinarily gentle and respectful - I think emetophobes need this sort of approach. Go gently. Peace and love to all.x

[@adaedwardss8292]

I'm scared of people vomiting. I don't understand why but when someone says they are feeling sick or something, I immediatley block my ears and start hyperventilating. I don't know how to get over it.

[@rustyavacado9194]

I got this fear from throwing up my entire childhood, Deep breathing, Anxiety medicine, therapy and words of affirmation saved my life, now i can be nauseas without medicine, if im very ill ill take it but now i dont panic, i just lay in bed and accept it, Go outside, Vomiting outside is SO MUCH EASIER!!! And remember, you only vomit for 3-5 seconds then its over! I still want vomit therapy but im still getting the slightest bit better! I almost left my #1 dream of sports because the second i got Anxious i almost threw up and left, but im not letting this short and rare occurrence affect my life

[@user-ey4kn3il1h]

I struggled with searching emetophobia information because there is less information in my country. But finally I found this video. I relief by reading comment. There is many people who have same symptom as me. The most troubling thing about the fear of vomiting is the fear of every meal.