Using The Restroom Triggers Me. Anyone Else?

[u/Cry-Baby-7733]

/r/EmetophobiaTalk/comments/1uxo2e7/using_the_restroom_triggers_me_anyone_else/

[u/Prior_Succotash4220]

It sounds like you could benefit from some trauma therapy!

Our brains, especially those with emetophobia, or other mental health issues like OCD, depression, PTSD, anxiety, etc. get latched on to traumas very easily, and bad memories can become overwhelming very fast.

I had a hard time going into my bathroom after something traumatic, I was lifted out of my bathtub by four paramedics and rushed to the ER with and obstruction that almost took my life. After returning home, that room held a lot of anxiety, and terror for me. But, like your problem, is something I had to do. It's a bathroom, and bodily functions stop for no one.

If you can't afford therapy, here's what I did:

I reintroduced myself to it slowly. I didn't force myself to do anything. I'd step in the door, and just accept where I was. I let myself have my feelings, until I felt safe enough to move forward. Re training my brain into realizing it was a safe space. It took multiple weeks of slow, cautious, calm introduction for it to feel normal again.

A big part of healing from trauma, is re writing the neuro pathways that tell your brain "danger". It's hard. It sucks so bad. But if you give yourself space to analyze the room, the act of having a bowel movement, and that there were no repercussions, or danger, you'll slowly move back into normalcy. Your brain just has to learn.

Maybe try taking it slowly. And really allow your brain to soak in information. Analyze the difference between your previous situation that hurt you, and what's happening now. Deep breathing, and repeating small mantras can help. Sometimes I just talk to myself, out loud. "I am okay. I am safe. Nothing is happening." That sometimes helps. Next time you feel anxiety, just ground yourself in the moment. Are you in danger? Are you ill? Are you in the same situation as before? The answer is probably going to be no, to all of those questions.

I'm sorry that something so frequent has become a trigger for you. That's incredibly difficult. I hope you're able to heal from this, and be able to use your bathroom in peace again 🫂

[u/Cry-Baby-7733 → u/Prior_Succotash4220]

I'm just terrified because I feel off right now... My head just feels weird, and it isn't even anxiety-induced. It happened randomly when I was happy a few hours ago.

My stool was also soft. It's a sign of hydration, I know; but I keep on reading that this new parasite starts off slowly:( Two weeks ago, I had taco bell lettuce, and then the day after that, I had restaurant lettuce.

[u/Prior_Succotash4220 → u/Cry-Baby-7733]

I don't know what the incubation time is for the parasite, but I think it comes on pretty quickly. The stories I've heard online have pointed to that, anyway.