Emetophobia

Okay, so this is the first time I'm speaking publicly about having emetophobia, so sorry if this is a bit of a ramble. There's no real reason why I've not really told anyone (except a few close friends), I just felt uncomfortable speaking about it because I don't like thinking there's something wrong with me, as it worries me.

Basically, emetophobia is being scared of being sick/ill. For me, I'm absolutely terrified of food poisoning or puking/diarrhoea in general. I honestly think this is a huge issue for me, because it's not just a small fear, it's actually taken control of my life. It's caused me to be so paranoid about food to the extent where I'm really not healthy anymore, I don't eat meat, I don't eat meat alternatives & I have no source of protein (As I'm allergic to nuts). It's getting to the point where over the past 12 months, I have felt really suicidal because of how unhealthy I am, which causes me to feel ill anyway, which is making it unbearable for me. The way I see it is I'd rather not be here to feel sick, than to feel sick.

I really need some advice from you guys. I want to start eating meat again, but it's been 4 years now, and I'm scared that if I have some, I'll get ill from it as it'll be a shock, then I'll never eat it again, which will put me back where I started.

I'm too scared to speak to a counsellor or similar because I'm the most squeamish person in the world, and the second they say something that sounds remotely medical, I'll get really scared & feel faint.

Any advice to getting over ir/learning to deal with it? As well as how to reintroduce meat back into my diet.
Thanks to anyone that read this fully.

maybe try quorn products they have protein i think then gradually introduce meat into your diet even if it's just half a chicken nugget but don't force yourself

you should go and see your gp about it if you haven't already because it's unhealthy and they could give you better advice

also there are online forums for these types of things

http://www.emetophobia.org/forum.php

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Originally Posted by lemons

maybe try quorn products they have protein i think then gradually introduce meat into your diet even if it's just half a chicken nugget but don't force yourself

you should go and see your gp about it if you haven't already because it's unhealthy and they could give you better advice

also there are online forums for these types of things

http://www.emetophobia.org/forum.php

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I used to eat quorn all the time, when I first started vegetarianism, but stopped eating it because it was too expensive & was driving our shopping bill up from £50 normally, to £90/week including quorn.
I tried tofu and that's just no.

I have been looking around a few forums like that one, but that's mainly discussing it, not really offering too much advice with how to deal with it.

If you want some protein drink milkshakes. Can't suggest anything on the rest of it.

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Originally Posted by dbgtz

If you want some protein drink milkshakes. Can't suggest anything on the rest of it.

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I've never looked into protein shakes before. I've just heard they're bad for you if you're not like... working out or whatever, so I just avoided them.
but I guess I'll be worse off not having the protein so yeah, I'll look into them.

You could try a diet Herb-a-life a supplement for your meals basically.

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Originally Posted by Jamez

I've never looked into protein shakes before. I've just heard they're bad for you if you're not like... working out or whatever, so I just avoided them.
but I guess I'll be worse off not having the protein so yeah, I'll look into them.

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No I mean actual milkshakes :P Like bog standard Nesquik or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dbgtz

No I mean actual milkshakes :P Like bog standard Nesquik or something.

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Ohh, thought you meant protein shakes :P
I didn't know they were any good for protein either tbh. I'll look at them as well then :D
I love making fruit smoothies though.

@Jamez; if you're worried about protein you need to eat red meat. It's pretty much impossible to harm yourself with red meats but is very easy to do with white meat (chicken, turkey) so avoid those. Unless you're actually dipping some beef in a pot of salmonella or something then you're fine. It would be disgusting but you can technically eat red meat raw and still be fine.

Also have you ever tried looking at it in a different way? Idk if this would work for you but if you think about it, the more you limit yourself the weaker your immune system becomes. If you get out there your immune system will naturally strengthen over time and you're much less likely to be ill.

I know this isn't probably going to help but you need to just get over it. It's all in your head and I know, trust me, that you can't just forget about it.. but you can't let fear run your life, it will make you miserable. The best thing you can do is take it one step at a time but if you never try you'll never get better. I worry about a lot of things but I push myself all the time and it works for me. It's rarely as bad as you think it's going to be anyway, don't over-think it.