I’ve just found this thread and I relate so much to it and everyone’s experiences. I’ve never considered myself to be emetophobic, especially since having kids because I can deal with them being sick quite well, but I have a lot of anxiety around it - it’s like waiting for them to be sick when they’re a bit peaky is worse than when they actually are sick. Also if one is ill, I’m then on edge waiting for the other one, myself or my partner to catch it.
I hate being sick myself too and will do anything to avoid it, even if it means feeling extremely nauseous for a long time when actually being sick would probably give me some relief.
These are things I do when I’m feeling sick or just feeling some anxiety around it;
Distraction - mainly watching ‘comforting’ films or TV programs I’ve seen loads of times before, usually rom coms or sitcoms. I tend to do this more at night time when I find my anxiety is worse
Mints, chewing gum or boiled sweets - I keep some in my bedside table and my handbag just in case I ever feel a bit queasy and find a lot of the time they do help
Fresh air - I keep my bedroom window open pretty much all year round, if I’m feeling really anxious/nauseous I’ll stand by a window (or outside if I can) and take some deep breaths and try to ground myself
Breathing techniques - I concentrate on my breathing, I’ll count to 4 as I breathe in, count to 2 as I hold my breath and count to 4 as I breathe out. I’m pretty sure I read these specific timings as being useful somewhere ages ago which is why I use them but I don’t think it’s medically approved as such
Travel sickness tablets - I don’t use this all the time but we occasionally have these in the house because my partner gets travel sick when he’s a passenger in a car (but this isn’t often!) I find that when I know they’re in the house, I feel less anxious in general because I could take one if I feel sick and it would probably help. Just writing this down is making me want to buy some, ‘just in case’
I’m sure most of you use these techniques already because we all find our own coping mechanisms but thought I’d share my tips anyway
I hate being sick myself too and will do anything to avoid it, even if it means feeling extremely nauseous for a long time when actually being sick would probably give me some relief.
These are things I do when I’m feeling sick or just feeling some anxiety around it;
Distraction - mainly watching ‘comforting’ films or TV programs I’ve seen loads of times before, usually rom coms or sitcoms. I tend to do this more at night time when I find my anxiety is worse
Mints, chewing gum or boiled sweets - I keep some in my bedside table and my handbag just in case I ever feel a bit queasy and find a lot of the time they do help
Fresh air - I keep my bedroom window open pretty much all year round, if I’m feeling really anxious/nauseous I’ll stand by a window (or outside if I can) and take some deep breaths and try to ground myself
Breathing techniques - I concentrate on my breathing, I’ll count to 4 as I breathe in, count to 2 as I hold my breath and count to 4 as I breathe out. I’m pretty sure I read these specific timings as being useful somewhere ages ago which is why I use them but I don’t think it’s medically approved as such
Travel sickness tablets - I don’t use this all the time but we occasionally have these in the house because my partner gets travel sick when he’s a passenger in a car (but this isn’t often!) I find that when I know they’re in the house, I feel less anxious in general because I could take one if I feel sick and it would probably help. Just writing this down is making me want to buy some, ‘just in case’
I’m sure most of you use these techniques already because we all find our own coping mechanisms but thought I’d share my tips anyway
ugh, it's so hard isn't it. I'm persevering and have taken it this morning instead so hopefully tonight will be better and I'll feel the effects soon.