Emetophobia(sick phobia) rules my life

[Loveallmyboys]

I'm really struggling at the moment. I already have 2 children(10 and 2) and I'm pregnant with number 3. Currently the 2 kids have diarrhea and I'm petrified it's something sinister, ie something I can catch! Sadly, that's my primary worry, rather than 'oh my poor kids!'
How the hell will I cope with THREE potentially sick kids?!
I've tried a few different therapies over the years(I've had this phobia since I can remember) but it still lingers and literally consumes every thought I have. I'm miserable and feel very alone.
I wondered if any other mumsnetters could relate to this and share their coping strategies...

[Worryworker]

Have you tried CBT?
It's likely over the years you have developed a number of 'safety behaviours' and avoidances to cope (excessive cleanliness, reassurance, hyper vigilant to how you or kids are feeling etc) alongside beliefs that you couldn't cope should your worst case scenario happen (you or kids vomit). The behaviours and thought keep each other going, maintain the problem and your anxiety. So it's important that both areas are addressed. It also likely you would need to address deeper routed issues at the core of the problem- your beliefs about control and coping as these are ultimately at the heart of emetaphobia.

[Loveallmyboys]

I tried cbt a couple years ago and nothing really happened. The woman just 'chatted' to me. No actual therapy going on!

[Worryworker]

Sorry to hear that - sounds like you didn't have a particularly good experience! Perhaps consider again as with a decent therapist you should be encouraged to consider graded exposure work, thought challenging etc. which is effective treatment.

[Loveallmyboys]

All that was mentioned at my first appointment but nothing ever materialised. It was through the nhs and I think I was only allowed 6 sessions. I might ask my go again as I'm really stressing myself out, worrying about the new baby arriving and how I'll manage. Hate this phobia :(
Thanks so much for replying

[EssexMummy123]

Have a look at this m.facebook.com/emetophobiacure?_rdr

There's also almost 200 positive reviews on amazon

[Loveallmyboys]

Thanks Essex. I'll have a look at that :)

[EssexMummy123]

Will you give it a try and let me know if it works? I used the authors other book 'Thrive' for overcoming a phobia and it worked very very well for me so i'd be interested to know how you get on. PM me :-)

[SilverStars]

Hi if you are pregnant your midwife may be able to refer you to a mental health midwife to get you support through pregnancy? An other idea to ask for at least.