I can’t decide between these two designs. I like that my body is shaped in the first dress and how it gives a gothic elegant look. However, I then think about the size of the second dress and wonder if that gives more of that princess fairytale vibe. Ughhh I’m so conflicted and need to make the decision soon:((
Hi everyone,
I have had emetophobia for as long as I could remember. However, things got really bad when I was 15, and my boyfriend threw up at a restaurant we went to with friends. Ever since, my phobia has come in waves. There have been years that were worse than others. In the past 5 years, my phobia has gotten better, and I even threw up bile twice and didn't catastrophize afterward. Additionally, I am also a registered mental health intern and have worked with clients with emetophobia and had to sit through many different exposures when doing ERP with them.
All that being said, my phobia shifted a lot when, a year ago, I traveled with my fiancé's family, and everyone had the stomach bug. It was a nightmare come to life. I tried leaving the Airbnb and cried for three days after fearing that I was also going to throw up all night. Miraculously, I didn't. My phobia intensified again, and now I am terrified of the stomach bug and norovirus specifically. I think for me, vomiting once due to eating something that didn't sit right or due to pregnancy or anything else doesn't bother me as much as imagining myself with the stomach bug. I just feel so scared of being up all night vomiting and unable to get medicine or food because places are closed. It makes me feel trapped. However, worse than that, I would almost prefer it if I got it and no one else was around me. After what happened with my fiancé and his family, the idea of waiting and being a ticking time bomb after everyone else has been sick all night is really a nightmare for me. I still cry a lot when finding out my nephew has it, and I was in recent contact with him, or when finding out a child I work with has it. This had me thinking a lot about how I want kids in the future, but I'm unsure if I'm strong enough to tackle the nights with norovirus and truly be there to take care of them.
Anyways, my point is that I feel like my emetophobia has shifted to be specific to norovirus. Vomit is still very unpleasant, and I still get a little scared, but the norovirus is a whole other monster I need to conquer. I'm not sure what exposures would be helpful for me with this specific fear. I don't wash my hands excessively, and I don't avoid certain places. It's more of a fear of touching the vomit of someone who has the stomach bug. Or vomiting all night long because you have the stomach bug. That's where I feel stumped on exposures, as I can listen to stories, watch people vomit, etc. Any advice would be appreciated, and let me know if anyone else has experienced something similar in the path to recovery :)