emetophobia - for anyone who cares

Category: Health and Wellness

Post 1 by rdfreak (THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE-BLUE KANGA-KICKIN AUSIE) on Saturday, 07-Oct-2006 1:29:05

Hi guys,
Just wanted to inform people incase they weren't aware of this phobia that some people (such as myself) unfortunately have. it's called Emetophobia. it's basically, in a nut shell, a fear of vomitting and/or being around others who are vomitting. Though for most of us, it's both, most will either be stronger in one aspect. eg. for me, I'm extremely fearful of vomitting, and like the below wikipedia definition (I'm about to put here) states, I will go to any length to avoid vomitting as much as possible. Like if someone I'm with has a stomach bug and/or has been sick, I will of course do my best to stay as far away from them as possible. I will also wash my hands after everything I touch around them excessively. and if they are actually vomitting around me, I will have this overwhelming anxious alone feeling that will be with me long after the event, (I find the feeling hard to explain.)
and if at all possible, I will make up any excuse I can not to see them in the first place. I will also physically pray that I won't get sick. full on .. {Lord Please please please don't let me get sick".
You can read more here.
Why am I writing all this? To hopefully explain why I objected to Liam's drunken audio profile so much! Others, most people think it's funny, but I couldn't even listen to all of it. obviously this was a file only but it did happen and listening to such things, I can't do.
I am not doing this to make him feel bad, (I'm not like that); just wanted to make you aware. and, of course others who may suffer from this too, do let me know!
Cheers!

Post 2 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Saturday, 07-Oct-2006 5:50:52

Well, that was interesting. I read the wikipedia article you referred to. Years ago I got a degree in psychology and remember having to memorize an ennormous list of phobias, but I don't remember this one.

I think we all shun vomiters and vomit experiences, but I think the true emetaphobic goes to extreme lengths to avoid anything relating to vomit.

I used to be very squeamish about bodily functions etc. Then I became a parent, and all that changed (literally). Kids, because of their dependence on an adult, teach us to tollerate much more than we ever thought we could.

Anyway, thanks for posting that. I enjoyed the little research project.

Bob

Post 3 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Saturday, 07-Oct-2006 7:37:23

I have got this phobia for a few years but i never heard of this term before even if the word is very Greek. When i read the title i realised what it was about.
Anyway i thought it was just me being strange for not liking the sound of it but especially as you said i would hope that i never again will be sick. The feeling is horrible.

Post 4 by sparkie (the hilljack) on Saturday, 07-Oct-2006 21:21:03

Very interesting. I don't like to hear people throw up, in fact, I will plug my ears if someone around me is sick and I don't like to throw up myself. As far as getting sick I don't like to get sick but I don't hope and pray I don't get sick. If it happens it happens we are all going to be sick at some time or another. I don't also wash hands either. This kind of reminds me of obsessive composive disorder.
Troy

Post 5 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Sunday, 01-Apr-2007 3:47:39

Most of us can't stand hearing people be sick. I hate it just as much as the next person, but until now, I didn't know there was a name for it. I don't have it myself, nor do I know anyone who has it.

Post 6 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Sunday, 01-Apr-2007 3:56:53

The only time i don't mind hearing it is in the audio game drive when we can make Co pilot Bob to be sick because i know it's not real. lol.
Another thing that worries me is if i am sick one day after having my favorite food. If this happens probaply i won't have my favorite food for long time which skares me.