Emetophobia

pookyp, LPN · Dec 1, 2012

Who had emetophobia before nursing and was able to overcome it? I am not talking about people who find it gross.... I want to become a nurse more than anything the only thing getting in my way is fear of vomit. I know it sounds ridiculous but it has something I have dealt with since a child. Any advice would help!

I'm with you. Would like responses as well. My fear is vomiting myself. Always had a fear of vomiting. I hate seeing or being around it too. Cause then I think that person must have a stomach virus and its now contagious and I will get the vomiting too. Have been like this ever since I was a little girl. Smh

giarose2007 · Dec 1, 2012

This phobia has taken over my life at times. I am hoping to start therapy for this in December but I question how much it will help! My phobia is so bad I can't even help my daughter when she is sick I ask others help out... I know people are going to read this and think I am a horrible mother. I really want to overcome this, not just because I want to be a nurse, but because its freaking tiring to always feel anxious about something! It is awful and I am ready to do whatever it takes to get over this.

pookyp, LPN · Dec 1, 2012

This phobia has taken over my life at times. I am hoping to start therapy for this in December but I question how much it will help! My phobia is so bad I can't even help my daughter when she is sick I ask others help out... I know people are going to read this and think I am a horrible mother. I really want to overcome this, not just because I want to be a nurse, but because its freaking tiring to always feel anxious about something! It is awful and I am ready to do whatever it takes to get over this.

Yeah. I said i would never have kids because if the fear. But I have a 4 yr old. Lol when she gets sick, I'm still nervous, but not as much as I thought I would. Just a couple of months ago, she woke up in the middle of the night and I had to let her vomit in my hands. I was shocked that I actually did that without running away. Lol I don't want her to be afraid like me, so I try to act calm around her. My mom had emetophobia and that's why me and my sister also have it.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 2, 2012

I've never had it so I can't give you detailed instructions as to how to deal with it.

I would definitely suggest getting professional counseling to help you deal with your fear, because it doesn't seem like it'd be something one would be able to easily (and therapeutically) get over on their own. IMO you'd be far better leaving it to the psychiatric professionals to help you.

ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2012

Wow im the same way about myself and my daughter being sick. Always been like that since I was little.. I have a fear come over me when my daughter says she feels sick..like I hope she wont vomit. I somehow can control it when shes sick, but if its me, forget it! This is so silly but very real and I wish I could get over it too. I can help other people tho if they vomit.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2012

I'm not afraid of vomit, but if a patient vomits food up I'll gag and sometimes vomit myself. I either trade patients or suck it up and make the best of it. You will encounter vomit in nearly ever nursing field, but not on a daily basis. A fear of poop though, that's a problem

amoLucia · Dec 3, 2012

Going past the emesis issue - there's also the issue of gastric contents associated with NG/GT insertions, tube maintenance for residuals, and aspirations. Tubes are quite prevalent today so that may be a major concern for many of you.

Is the problem with the act of vomiting ie. the wretching and gagging or the gastric contents expelled, or both? Going to be difficult to avoid it in practice.

pookyp, LPN · Dec 3, 2012

Going past the emesis issue - there's also the issue of gastric contents associated with NG/GT insertions, tube maintenance for residuals, and aspirations. Tubes are quite prevalent today so that may be a major concern for many of you.
Is the problem with the act of vomiting ie. the wretching and gagging or the gastric contents expelled, or both? Going to be difficult to avoid it in practice.

For me, it's the act and the wretching. *shudders* I've been a cna for 10 years so I'm not too worried about it. I've seen a WHOLE lot. I just don't like myself vomiting or catching someone in the act. Thank god i didn't come across many of those.

giarose2007 · Dec 3, 2012

I hate everything about vomit.. I have had this phobia since I can remember and I am now 27. I am determined to get over it but I know it will take therapy and lots of it. It is so weird to have a "vomiting" phobia... it is kind of embarrassing because a lot of people don't understand it... even my very own BF. Not that I expect him too... Anyway I want to be a nurse so bad and I feel this may be the one thing that pushes me to get over my fear. The other day I went to shadow a nurse in L&D and the person I got assigned too (of course) had a patient whose husband was violently ill with the flu or food poisoning... Luckily while I was in the patients room he didn't get sick but the whole time i felt incredibly anxious.. I knew if he started getting sick I would have to politely excuse myself lol Anyway, I have an appointment with a counselor in two weeks.... I am desperate to get better so I can be a nurse without constant anxiety.

Bouncyball · Dec 3, 2012

The worst that will probably happen is someone vomits in front of you, you freak out and run away while vomiting down the hallway. I have seen it happen in the hospital lol.

I know another nurse who vomits whenever she sees someone vomit. She told me that she accidentally threw up on her pt once because he was vomiting. She always lies and tells pts she is pregnant so they don't trip out.

Moral of the story, it might suck, it might be embarrassing, but whatever happens you can get through it.

DSkelton711 · Dec 3, 2012

I almost never vomit, and I think it's because my mind knows I can't handle it well. I gag and get the dry heaves when with a vomiting patient, but I remain at their side, being as supportive as possible. It is the smell that gets me. You will encounter it in nursing--no way around it. But it is not all the time, thank goodness (but I guess it can depend on where you work-I worked L&D where many patients vomit, but they have been NPO and not sick, usually no smell so it doesn't bother me as bad).