Does Anyone Else Have This Fear?

[autismtwin]

So, I know this will sound stupid to some people but I need to talk about this because it's keeping me from sleeping. I have an extreme fear of vomit. I have a fear of anything that has to do with it, whether it's people vomiting or me vomiting. I do have several anxiety disorders and nausea is a symptom of a panic attack.

I remember when I was younger if someone vomited in the classroom I would have to leave the room. I would go into an instant state of anxiety and start shaking. In some cases, I even felt sick myself. This may have to do with my OCD, but I'm not entirely sure about it.

This fear is pretty bad. It keeps me from doing things in my life that I shouldn't have a problem with. I don't eat in public or in the car, I stay away from people who could be potentially ill, it sucks.

Around this time last year, my whole family got really sick. I have an eating disorder and because of the fact that I have a bad immune system, I got it pretty bad. I didn't eat for five days because I couldn't keep anything down. Since it was about a year ago I am very particular about what steps I take to make sure it doesn't happen again. I will not and have not worn the same clothes, listened to the same music, or anything related to what happened a year ago.

Tonight, my autistic brother was running a very high fever and he vomited all in his bedroom. I was instantly freaking out. I haven't left my room since and it's been a few hours now. I am so scared to get sick to the point where tomorrow, or today, rather since it's 2 am, that I am going to sanatize and clean my room. I am probably going to even get a mask, and keep myself in my room for the next week.

I feel crazy that I'm taking things so seriously, but I cannot afford to get sick. Do you have any advice?

[Doc. Crane .-.]

You don't have a fear of vomit you are germaphobic (idc how you spell it) you just need to learn that not everything with get you sick and if you do it's just part of life just let it happen

[starbrite5]

Actually, emetophobia (the fear of vomiting) is a fairly common phobia/anxiety trigger. It's one of my therapist's specialties. I suggest going to a therapist that does cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) who will guide you through exposure therapy, so that you can get used to the anxiety that you feel about vomiting/illness.

[Fiction]

You say you've already been diagnosed with OCD? What was your particular obsessions and compulsions that lead to the diagnosis? Because i'd say this was a part of it too.

Your fear of getting ill seems to be the obsession causing the compulsions of sanitizing your room, and not eating and so on. If you're already diagnosed with it I assume you see someone? Mention it to them.

[baseballfan]

If its affecting your sleep you might need some professional help. Everyone needs proper sleep