Discussion
Hi Guys,
Just sounding the general PH population out.
I don't want to say too much about the issue (ie the title of this thread) because there are all sorts of myths and legends that surround this condition, and I don't want to steer the conversation in the direcrtion of these unnecessarily, although I suspect if anyone else here has had to deal with this you might have some idea what I mean.
I would just like to know if anyone on here, or their loved ones, is afflicted by this problem and if so, what, if anything, has been helpful for them in dealing or coping with it. Has anyone managed kick it into the weeds? If so, what your story?
Personally I'd like to get it cut out with a great big knife, but it doesn't really work like that.
I would really appreciate any input as I would really love to be able to make my partner's life (she is a sufferer) easier without allowing it turn us both recluce (sp?).
I'll throw it to the floor, cheers guys.
David.
Just sounding the general PH population out.
I don't want to say too much about the issue (ie the title of this thread) because there are all sorts of myths and legends that surround this condition, and I don't want to steer the conversation in the direcrtion of these unnecessarily, although I suspect if anyone else here has had to deal with this you might have some idea what I mean.
I would just like to know if anyone on here, or their loved ones, is afflicted by this problem and if so, what, if anything, has been helpful for them in dealing or coping with it. Has anyone managed kick it into the weeds? If so, what your story?
Personally I'd like to get it cut out with a great big knife, but it doesn't really work like that.
I would really appreciate any input as I would really love to be able to make my partner's life (she is a sufferer) easier without allowing it turn us both recluce (sp?).
I'll throw it to the floor, cheers guys.
David.
Fear of vomiting?
Clearly, as I don't know really understand what you are on about, this can't have affected me. Sorry.
Vomiting isn't pleasant, but I can't see how having to avoid this could affect anyone's daily life.
EDIT -
Ok, I've just looked it up. I can see if someone has an irrational fear of throwing up at any time this could be a problem. I would imagine this would have to be treated in a similar way to anxiety conditions like panic attacks or agoraphobia whic can be completely debilitating. But these are tough conditions to crack and need patience and sympathy.
Clearly, as I don't know really understand what you are on about, this can't have affected me. Sorry.
Vomiting isn't pleasant, but I can't see how having to avoid this could affect anyone's daily life.
EDIT -
Ok, I've just looked it up. I can see if someone has an irrational fear of throwing up at any time this could be a problem. I would imagine this would have to be treated in a similar way to anxiety conditions like panic attacks or agoraphobia whic can be completely debilitating. But these are tough conditions to crack and need patience and sympathy.
Edited by prand on Thursday 19th August 09:33
Latin scholar or Google?
With all seriousness that is excatly part of the problem: that to the untrained observer, it seems really simple, and most people think they can relate to it on a logical level because no one likes to be ill, but the very well hidden mental processes involved in ensuring it doesn't happen that are going on in the background can be crippling, and it can often seem easier to just not leave the house.
My other half has beaten it back to the point we have been able to move in together and she has held down a fulltime job for the past three years, and things are brilliantly normal day to day, but anything out of the ordinary can really throw a spanner in the works.
A doctors waiting room becomes a genuine hell, and the idea of going on any kind of holiday, even to friends or family is a terrible trauma.
With all seriousness that is excatly part of the problem: that to the untrained observer, it seems really simple, and most people think they can relate to it on a logical level because no one likes to be ill, but the very well hidden mental processes involved in ensuring it doesn't happen that are going on in the background can be crippling, and it can often seem easier to just not leave the house.
My other half has beaten it back to the point we have been able to move in together and she has held down a fulltime job for the past three years, and things are brilliantly normal day to day, but anything out of the ordinary can really throw a spanner in the works.
A doctors waiting room becomes a genuine hell, and the idea of going on any kind of holiday, even to friends or family is a terrible trauma.
Edited by danger mouse on Thursday 19th August 09:42
Hey that's nice to hear, but it's what you do when you better half has any kind of problem isn't?
She's had a bad day today, hence my post, which then turned out to be ok in the end.
It is unusual and difficult to handle and was I hoping there my be others out in Pistonia who have experience with it and even had success against it (or if they need a hand themselves of course, my girl has done well over the years) who would like to share as, to my knowledge, there is only one book on the subject anywhere (which we obviously have but I found to be sadly defeatist as well as, at points, just sad - which is basically not helpful IMHO) so useful info is pretty hard to come by.
Compare that with the Arachnephobe/Agoraphobia or Anorexia/Bulimia panpaedia availible.
She's had a bad day today, hence my post, which then turned out to be ok in the end.
It is unusual and difficult to handle and was I hoping there my be others out in Pistonia who have experience with it and even had success against it (or if they need a hand themselves of course, my girl has done well over the years) who would like to share as, to my knowledge, there is only one book on the subject anywhere (which we obviously have but I found to be sadly defeatist as well as, at points, just sad - which is basically not helpful IMHO) so useful info is pretty hard to come by.
Compare that with the Arachnephobe/Agoraphobia or Anorexia/Bulimia panpaedia availible.
I have this phobia. Generally its not too bad but im currently pregnant and really struggling with it. Im having some counselling to help me with it and getting back to my relaxation routine too. Its beginning to help. Perhaps finding a therapist who works in this area could help her? From my experience they help to understand where the fear has come from and all the feelings associated with it. Then they break it down and help to remove some of the thought trains/links that go through your brain when you feel nauseous. Also they work on relaxation a lot as there more stressed you are, the bigger the chance of feeling sick/strained etc.
As an OH you are clearly doing a great job of supporting her. Mine helps me to calm down and remember the slow breathing, sits with me until im past it again. There isnt much else you can do until she has some other help/input from a professional source.
As an OH you are clearly doing a great job of supporting her. Mine helps me to calm down and remember the slow breathing, sits with me until im past it again. There isnt much else you can do until she has some other help/input from a professional source.
You have my sympathy, I think therapy is the best option. I have several phobias myself that are restrictive spiders (they scare the s
t out of me) and flying (there is still a boeing 757 in use that has my fingerpirnts still in the armrest) but on both counts I have had to face them a few times, but only flew once.
I hope it all works out well whatever you decide to do.
On a slightly lighter note, my biggest fear though is making a spelling mistake on PH
t out of me) and flying (there is still a boeing 757 in use that has my fingerpirnts still in the armrest) but on both counts I have had to face them a few times, but only flew once.I hope it all works out well whatever you decide to do.
On a slightly lighter note, my biggest fear though is making a spelling mistake on PH
ROFL, me too, you should see how many times I have to edit and re-edit posts as long as mine!!!
The problem is, that as I'm sure Bluto will relate, the fear is generated by something that is out the control of the sufferer; i.e. invisible, potentially in air around them and you can't just get someone else to scoop it up in a glass and chuck it out of the window, or set the cat on it!
Annoyingly, just talking about it with other sufferers is not great as it usually leads them to realising more precautions they should be taking on top what they already do. It's a bloomin' mine field.
This has been a longstanding problem for Her-today-outdoors, and of course she has been lucky enough to have recieved therapy for it.
Apparently the Priory were best and the guy there had actually heard of the thing (many therapists do not know about it and try to make people do grim things like eat off toilet seats to shock them out of it in the name of behavioural therapy!) but it can't be treated like Spider fears, or avoided like flying, because the root of the fear is your own body which you take around with you.
We know the traumatic route of the problem, and have analysed it to death.... it was pretty bad, I would have been fairly put out by it too I imagine. She knows there's no way the situation can reach out Freddie-like and grab her from the past but knowing something rationally doesn't shut the little voice up. From what I can tell it's always there to wisper... "better just not touch that bit of food... you know, there could be germ on your hand". I've tried having her tell what the ideas are as the come up so we can shoot them down as they come along, but she's shy about it and she knows they don't make sense, they're just there, so this hasn't helped either.
She has contrived through various means to not be sick since she was 11 (now 28) and runs a mile at the tiniest burp. The sadest, most frustrating thing is we would love a family down the line, but as said above she is scared senseless of morning sickness, so has pretty much resigned herself to being an auntie which would be an incredible waste because she would make a fantastic mother.
Bluto, Congratulations on expecting I'm sure the O/H would want to say the same. We know how much extra work it must for you every day, on top of the usual stuff all the girls have to cope with making a new person. Good luck and hang on in there. I'm certain it will be worth it once the little one arrives!
The problem is, that as I'm sure Bluto will relate, the fear is generated by something that is out the control of the sufferer; i.e. invisible, potentially in air around them and you can't just get someone else to scoop it up in a glass and chuck it out of the window, or set the cat on it!
Annoyingly, just talking about it with other sufferers is not great as it usually leads them to realising more precautions they should be taking on top what they already do. It's a bloomin' mine field.
This has been a longstanding problem for Her-today-outdoors, and of course she has been lucky enough to have recieved therapy for it.
Apparently the Priory were best and the guy there had actually heard of the thing (many therapists do not know about it and try to make people do grim things like eat off toilet seats to shock them out of it in the name of behavioural therapy!) but it can't be treated like Spider fears, or avoided like flying, because the root of the fear is your own body which you take around with you.
We know the traumatic route of the problem, and have analysed it to death.... it was pretty bad, I would have been fairly put out by it too I imagine. She knows there's no way the situation can reach out Freddie-like and grab her from the past but knowing something rationally doesn't shut the little voice up. From what I can tell it's always there to wisper... "better just not touch that bit of food... you know, there could be germ on your hand". I've tried having her tell what the ideas are as the come up so we can shoot them down as they come along, but she's shy about it and she knows they don't make sense, they're just there, so this hasn't helped either.
She has contrived through various means to not be sick since she was 11 (now 28) and runs a mile at the tiniest burp. The sadest, most frustrating thing is we would love a family down the line, but as said above she is scared senseless of morning sickness, so has pretty much resigned herself to being an auntie which would be an incredible waste because she would make a fantastic mother.
Bluto, Congratulations on expecting I'm sure the O/H would want to say the same. We know how much extra work it must for you every day, on top of the usual stuff all the girls have to cope with making a new person. Good luck and hang on in there. I'm certain it will be worth it once the little one arrives!
I would have another crack at therapy. This may well have to be undertaken privately, though it's worth pestering your GP to see if your PCT will fund it.
Try the British Psychological Society for a psychologist in your area. You can search by specialism too.
Try the British Psychological Society for a psychologist in your area. You can search by specialism too.
I had no idea this was an actual phobia or that there was a name for it...!
Between the ages of about 7 and 22 I was petrified of hurling, I don't know why and I don't know what caused it but I was scared stiff at the thought that my insides might eject themselves as well as their contents, so on the few occasions where I had a real chance of vomiting I'd did everything humanly possible to prevent it, and succeeded.
Then on the night of my 22nd birthday I got absolutely, utterly, destroyed on booze. To this day I'm still convinced a drink was spiked, because one minute I was fine and can still remember the whole evening up to that point, and then I have no recollection whatsoever. Apparently I behaved like a man possessed too, and was completely out of character in every way possible.
So after passing out and being carried home I woke up the next day in my friends house, still dressed in the previous nights clothes which were coated in my own dried vomit from the night before (which I couldn't remember) but naturally it set me off anyway.
The hangover alone had me wishing for death, so to have that as well was horrible and distressing on a level I didn't think possible. It was one of the worst mornings of my life.
But it did 'cure' me. I've been ill once or twice since then and the fear is completely gone.
Sorry for the long post, and I'm not suggesting you poison your OH
but maybe hearing other peoples experiences may help her?
Between the ages of about 7 and 22 I was petrified of hurling, I don't know why and I don't know what caused it but I was scared stiff at the thought that my insides might eject themselves as well as their contents, so on the few occasions where I had a real chance of vomiting I'd did everything humanly possible to prevent it, and succeeded.
Then on the night of my 22nd birthday I got absolutely, utterly, destroyed on booze. To this day I'm still convinced a drink was spiked, because one minute I was fine and can still remember the whole evening up to that point, and then I have no recollection whatsoever. Apparently I behaved like a man possessed too, and was completely out of character in every way possible.
So after passing out and being carried home I woke up the next day in my friends house, still dressed in the previous nights clothes which were coated in my own dried vomit from the night before (which I couldn't remember) but naturally it set me off anyway.
The hangover alone had me wishing for death, so to have that as well was horrible and distressing on a level I didn't think possible. It was one of the worst mornings of my life.
But it did 'cure' me. I've been ill once or twice since then and the fear is completely gone.
Sorry for the long post, and I'm not suggesting you poison your OH
but maybe hearing other peoples experiences may help her?Edited by Doniger on Thursday 19th August 21:25
Edited by Doniger on Thursday 19th August 22:57
norovirus!
Seriously though she needs therapy. It isn't about vomiting. It's about something else and the fear of vomiting is how it manifests itself. If she can get into long term therapy and go through everything except the vomiting. I expect they'll find out the cause before too long.
Best of luck.
Seriously though she needs therapy. It isn't about vomiting. It's about something else and the fear of vomiting is how it manifests itself. If she can get into long term therapy and go through everything except the vomiting. I expect they'll find out the cause before too long.
Best of luck.
Both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness therapy may be helpful (the former is well documented as useful in phobia treatment).
Whilst I've not suffered it myself, my first husband (who was and still is an extremely odd fellow) developed a phobia of me vomiting, to the point where I was not allowed to eat if he was around or he would have a panic attack :/ It passed off after about 2 years or so... basically the phobia transferred to something else.
I suspect in your OH's case this is a far more longstanding issue.
Whilst I've not suffered it myself, my first husband (who was and still is an extremely odd fellow) developed a phobia of me vomiting, to the point where I was not allowed to eat if he was around or he would have a panic attack :/ It passed off after about 2 years or so... basically the phobia transferred to something else.
I suspect in your OH's case this is a far more longstanding issue.
Yuck. Immersion therapy makes sense for some things. A fear of heights, for instance... start off standing on a chair, then a table, maybe. Or do a bit of bouldering, then a bit of low abseiling or roped climbing, then perhaps something taller outside, and then maybe a hot air balloon. But vomit? Look at it, smell it... then play with it?
ShadownINja said:
Oxycleptophobia? (Phobia of oxygen thieves.)
As you have invented the best new word I have heard.And it is definitly new I checked wikihttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=Oxycleptophobia
You get to enter the wiki definition
Eta urban dictionary will need an entry too
Edited by NoNeed on Friday 20th August 01:35
I havnt had anyone suggest aversion therapy for my phobia of it. But my therapist is changing thought patterns and taking some of the fear away. If its a traumatic experience that made her fear vomiting there is another practice you can try. Its called EMDR and is very specialised on concentrating on that one experience and through a process of hypnotherapy and reprogramming it reduces the impact of the original event. People have it after very bad car accidents etc, but it can be used for any experience where it is still ever-present and all memories are still intact. Used the link MC posted and find a therapist there, most will know someone who does this technique. It really is worth trying, especially if she would like to try for a family. Dont give up yet.
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