Stress Center Peer Support

Hey there. I am sorry to hear about your fear, I have that same fear as well and have since I was in 4th grade. I was sick for 2 years and up with dry heaves most nights. Ever since then I have been deathly afraid of throwing up, but it wasn't until I turned 19 that it started keeping me from going out in public or even leaving the house becuase I'm scared I will do it anytime and any place. I just started the program last night and have been searching for help with this phobia everyday. The smallest bodily function or symptom that occurs I take as a sign that I might get sick, like if I get a funny taste in my throat or if my mouth waters or my stomach gets sick. I have a lot of trouble eating. So I completely understand where you are coming from. 6 years ago was the last time I threw up. And before that it had been 11 years. I got food poisoning 6 years ago when I was 19 and threw up. I felt extremeley better after throwing up but i still fear it like no tomorrow. What I am really scared of I think is losing control and that I won't stop vomiting or that I won't be able to swallow or that the bad taste won't go away and that I won't know what to do. My mom said I just need to keep making myself puke, but I have read a lot that making yourself throw up isn't the best way to handle it, case in point, those of us who have thrown up haven't cured our fear, it works for some people but for most it doens't. We need to change our reactions and the way we think about it. I'm honestly not sure where to begin with this phobia, I'm contemplating getting hypnotherapy. I hope you can overcome this and I hope I can as well.

Also I forgot, you need to try and drink water. I have been sick the last 3 weeks with dehydration and gastrointestinal problems, which came somewhat from my dehydration of never drinking water. It has made me violently ill these 3 weeks, and I have done everything to not throw up. I have been forcing myself to drink lots of water, if you don't like water try propel flavored water. It's good for you as well. Not drinking water can make you sick.

I started medication again almost 2 weeks ago...my panic attacks aren't as severe, but I'm still not eating right or drinking water.

What kind of medicine did you start on? I am on Lexapro for anxiety and depression. I was finally able to leave the house with this medicine but am stil very limited. It is hard for me to eat too, I just try and eat what I can and talk myself through it to calm myself down, and take small bites. For some reason it's easier for me to eat right after I wake up in the morning or after I take a nap, but the longer I'm up the more anxious I get and it's harder for me to eat.

I started on generic Celexa almost 2 weeks ago...I started Celexa 8 years ago & switched to Lexapro...Celexa changed my life back then & like an idiot I stopped taking my Lexapro & when I did, my panic attacks came back worse than they ever were in the past...NEVER STOP TAKING YOUR MEDS! I am hoping that Celexa will do the same for me as it has in the past & get me back to where I was before...NORMAL!