How common are stomach bugs?

Stomach bugs scare me shitless...?

• So, I have panic attacks about two or three times a week about getting sick, i.e. throwing up. I know it's so unlikely that I'll catch anything because I have hand sanitizer that I whip out every time I eat or touch some of the more disgusting things in public, like doors and tables and chairs and such. I've been having panic attacks about the stomach bug since I was twelve years old, I'm 18 now and it doesn't stop ever. I'm kinda putting this out here to find people that have similar issues like me with anxiety and fears and stuff. Not to sound creepy, but I've stumbled across an account on here, Rinoa, you/she seem to be so similar to me, or I similar to you, and I'd love to talk to you about all the fear and anxiety and panic attacks and how you were able to deal with them and get over them. If you could just email me at [email protected] that'd be amazing please and thank you. If anyone else here is similar, please feel free to message me as well :)

• Answer:

  Hi Courtney! Although I wouldn’t say that I’m free of my phobia (because I’m not), I’m able to live a pretty normal life now. For me, it was a long journey and there were a number of things that have helped me. First of all, I took a meditation and yoga class when I was in my early 20’s. Even now when I start to feel panicky, I try to sit completely still and clear my mind. The techniques that I learned in that course have helped me a lot of the years and I would recommend meditating to anyone who suffers from anxiety. My family doctor actually recommended the course for me when I went to him to talk about my panic attacks. Exposure to other people that are sick and throwing up has helped me too if you can believe it! I think it’s desensitized me to it. I’m teaching Kindergarten right now so I have to deal with small children who throw up quite often. I’ve realized that most of the time that we’re exposed to sick people, we don’t become sick ourselves. I also try to constantly remind myself that over the last 20 years, I’ve only thrown up three times. The last time was 5 years ago, it wasn’t that big of a deal and I felt SO much better afterward. When I start to panic about throwing up, I try to think of something positive to turn my thought process around. Overall, try to tell yourself that the worry about it is way worse than the actual experience of it. It’s something that happens pretty infrequently and it’s not worth the worry. Best of luck to you! :)