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Any improvement is good! It seems like there are a few of us with that same phobia on this board. That makes me think that somehow IBS and anxiety are connected and since then my anxiety went through the roof which made this phobia sky rocket. I long for the "flu season" to be over with- my fear isnt as strong in the warmer months. I really should move somewhere where its warm all year round. Somehow I think that might help me. But, I dont forsee a move.
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I thought the same thing today (warm) and not for the first time! Thing is I had this kind of anxiety before - its moved over from one fear to this one. That's what I'm learning in therapy, how this is only partly, for me anyway, about an actual fear of getting sick. And yes I'm sure about ibs and anxiety being connected for many people. We have "butterflies in our stomach" when we're nervous - so why wouldn't the reverse also be true, ibs spasms triggering anxiety. I know this has been studied somewhat. I remember one book is, "The Second Brain"
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Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
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I'm right there with you and Hawkeye... You both make me feel "normal"! Whatever that is... 
When I was in therapy, the clinical psychologist kept trying to tie my anxiety to some of the traumatic events I had been through, but, honestly, the worst was being sick... And, I know it goes all the way back to my childhood (long time ago for me  ... BUT, I honestly get worse when the symptoms come and I fear the symptoms. I try to do "self-talk", but it doesn't always help. Example: baby sat my granddaughters Sunday - one was recovering from a stomach virus - so, basically loved her from afar ... The other one was all over me kissing, "slurping... etc." (3-year-old) and was "allegedly" the non-sick one... Later that night, she started throwing up and still recovering. So, what has occupied my thoughts during this already stressful last week before school break, with a thousand things to do??? Am I going to get it too? What will happen if I do??? I also have a dread/fear of throwing up....
So, I'm sorry you both deal with this, but it does help to know it's not just me...
As far as moving somewhere warmer - it doesn't help, Steffiejoy... I live in North Florida on the Gulf Coast, it was 78 today and everyone around here is sick... it's actually called "allergy alley"! We have such drastic temperature fluctuations - 30s in the early AM and 78 by afternoon! If I ever find "Utopia", I'll send a postcard!
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"I Will Survive! :-)... I shall live and not die and declare the works of The Lord..."
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I've always been a "worried" person, but never for anything about germs or getting sick and now the "worry" has moved to anxiety. I really cant think of any tramatic events that would have caused mine. I guess some might think that open heart surgery could be considered tramatic but I have never looked at it that way. And I did get sick during the recovery but that was because of the anesthesia and the medicine they put me on. I also have found that if I have a specific reason for getting sick- like IBS or anesthesia or a result of medicine I dont have as much panic. I'm sure I need therapy too.
I guess it being warm doesnt help huh Gaga??  Thats a major bummer. I am going to Arizona for Christmas to see my inlaws. Which of course is a cause of anxiety for me because of going on the plane with all the people and being enclosed in that stale airplane germy air. Ugh Its good to know that were not alone!
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Hawkeye,
I understand what you are going through. I think there are probably quite a few of us that feel panic when someone around us has a stomach flu.
Not too long ago a co-worker came into the office on her second day of the flu and she was running to the bathroom every 10 mins. I was in a panic and practically begged her to go home. I sterlized everything that day and the rest of the week.
I have worked in a school and also a Dr. office and each time I heard that someone was sick I felt that same panic. If my daughter calls me from Va. and tells me she is sick my stomach will start hurting immediately. I don't remember being this way when I was younger but as I get older I am obsessed with germs (I drive my husband crazy) and go into a panic over stomach bugs.
When I was a kid I remember my cousin would run and hide and ring her hands when someone was sick. I didn't have the same reaction at the time but it seems that I have grown into it.
I think it is wonderful that you are going through therapy and I hope that you are feeling better.
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Janey
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