Fear of getting sick in public!

[danielle22]

Hey my names Danielle.
I'm a hairdresser and own my own business I am 22 and also own my own house.
Ive always been a anxious person but as of the last few months have really become aware that it's really ruling my life.
I always felt sick most days then it would go away. Now I know it's a symptom of anxiety. I alway feel sick when I have to go anywhere like out for dinner, into town, movies anywhere. Then I think I'm getting sick. I start thinking maybe I have caught a bug then I always feel worse and end up cancelling.
Lately I have been aware of the anxiety and im able push myself to go to things, and 9 out of 10 times I'm always glad I did and after a while the sickness goes away. Especially if I see that there is an exit near by or toilet there.
I've been to a counsellor and she has taught me lots of breathing techniques but what bothers me most is that I will alway worry about this. I just want to go places and do things. Its begining to effect my relAtionship with my bf And I'm scared I'm alway going to have that fear and worry!

[mollymoomoo]

This sounds so like me it's scary! I have the same fears as you and obsess about where the nearest doors are and the nearest toilets are, I have to know everything, you are doing well in pushing yourself to go places as I don't have that, I can't push myself enough I'm too scared about what will happen, it an awful way to live your life isn't it? Your not alone though x

[danielle22]

Yeah sometimes I back out! But other times I push myself just telling myself that it's anxiety that is making me feel sick! Its soo hard. But people get disappointed and annoyed at me if I always cancel! So I pretty much force myself. Have you ever pushed yourself to go somewhere? When I get ther and get comfortable and see exits and toilets then I start feeling better and having fun.

[mollymoomoo]

It's really good that you manage to push yourself and then enjoy yourself, I find it very hard to go out I always make excuses to get out of things, but I am seeing my doctor on Monday and have decided that it's time to sort myself out and Monday is my first day x

[guitarist]

You are definitely not alone in this. I think it's great that you are able to push yourself to do these things. I think it is essential to do so. If you won't go, the next time it will be harder. So if you want to go out and think you are able to, you should go. Too bad it's affecting your relationship though. Does he know about it? I think it would be a good thing that he does, so he is able to support you. I do believe that if somebody has a anxiety disorder, they will have to deal with it in their lives. You can feel pretty normal. A year ago I felt great. I did things I never thought I could do, but now the anxiety is back and I struggle to get back. That doesn't mean you will do to, but I do believe that you have to be aware of yourself and that you keep on doing the things you want to do. But don't forget to take some periods of rest. Good luck!

[anxiouspilot]

First poster Here..

This sounds just like me also! I can be fine all day at home, then when I have to go out, I start feeling my bowels cramping, my sinuses swelling up, I start getting dizzy!! I usually turn around and go home to lay down and after a few minutes its all gone!!!! I've had MRI, colonoscopy, ultrasound, all normal and my doc says its irritable bowel. I know now that its not and it bothers me so much to go out that I get anxious just thinking about it sometimes. I was doing fine for awhile and it came back while working, try getting a panic attack 37,000 feet in the air! I grabbed my barf bag and clenched my carry on and rocked myself to sleep, I felt like I was going to die, like my insides were going to explode! It was the worst ever!! I'm so fearful to travel far now and I'm afraid of taking medicine since I've seen my grandpa on it and he was like a zombie. Just know your not alone.

[jhunter89]

Wow own your own business and home at 22!? That's amazing. Are you afraid of being sick in front of people or just being sick on the floor? Could you maybe carry something round to be sick in just incase? Or tried any anti nausea tablets?

[jessica29]

I have the exact same fear and I hate it. When I'm not having anxiety. I can rationalize that if I get sick in front of ppl I'm not going to die. But when I feel sick I instantly think I'm going to die if I throw up in front of ppl. Like u all do I map out exits toilets etc. I've gotten better with it over the yrs but it still grips me from time to time. I just keep repeating to myself that ppl get sick all the time. They don't die from it. And ppl will understand

[Calii]

I feel like that 24/7 and ALWAYS have to push myself to go out with friends.. I'm only 19 .. I feel sick all the time but I'm not actually sick. I hate it

[NatalieRegina]

I used to have the same thing. My fear was getting sick/passing out in the shower. Then, I really thought- why, in the name of bob saget, was I getting scared of showering? What am I really afraid is going to happen? So I made myself say it out loud. "If someone were to find me passed out in the shower, I'm afraid they would come in and say, 'Natalie! What is your problem?? How am I going to take you to the hospital looking like that?' "

Once I'd said it out loud, I started to laugh. I laughed for a full minute thinking of how ridiculous it was and how nobody would ever say that to someone passed out in a shower. (unless copious amounts of alcohol were involved)

Anyhoo.. try vocalizing what you're afraid of- sometimes just saying it out loud and either realizing 1) how unrealistic it is or 2) how it's not currently happening to you might help minimize your anxious thoughts.

Or just never shower alone.