‘My phobia stops me looking after my children when they’re sick’
‘My phobia stops me looking after my children when they’re sick’
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A woman who has bravely overcome her debilitating phobia as part of a new TV show has revealed the devastating impact it had on her life for more than 30 years. Chloe is one of 20 people who have taken part in a ground-breaking experiment to try and change their lives.
As part of Channel 4 programme The Fear Clinic, she was put through a trial to see if she could work through her worst fear – vomit, also known as emetophobia (the fear of vomiting or seeing others being sick). The show offers a glimpse into the lives of people terrified of fish, frogs, clowns, balloons and rodents, and gives the patients opportunities for treatment to overcome their phobias.
For Chloe, while being sick herself wasn’t as much of an issue, the constant concern of those around her possibly being sick left her in immense distress, and even meant she struggled to look after her own children. Ahead of the new series airing, the mum-of-three told us how difficult her life had been living with the phobia, where she was restricted from going out or putting herself in numerous situations.
If she went for a meal out with friends, or a social situation that she wanted to be a part of, she’d be ‘preparing’ for all outcomes. ‘I was never going to be around other people that could potentially be sick,’ she said. In social situations in public, and even making herself sit at the back of the bus so she could see people around her, Chloe would be ‘scanning’ the room and worrying over noises like people coughing.
