It's very annoying as, like most phobias, a trigger really can appear out of nowhere and when you least expect it. I gag when I brush my teeth and if I see spit in someone's mouth or evidence of it anywhere. When I lived in Brooklyn some !?*$$ole used to hock up EVERY SINGLE DAY right outside my window. He had no idea of the distress this was causing me. I wish people were more sensitive to this phobia and would stop spitting in public and leaving gobs of spit in the street. If I see spit in the road, I have to spend the next 20 minutes trying not to be sick. I could be watching someone talk on TV or in person and suddenly their mouths are full of spit and I'm retching and trying desperately not to throw up. I know my reaction is not rational but I will insist that it is a disgusting habit that only the muckiest of people seem to have trouble controlling.
To my knowledge, I have no other phobias. I have also never been treated for this phobia. To the person who asked what this phobia is called - I believe it's grouped in with "vomitophobia". I personally think these two phobias are separate in nature but have a common origin perhaps. They are both probably derived from a fear of disease. I am keen on cleanliness but I am not phobic/obsessive about it by any standard. And another side-note to someone else's comment - baby drool, strangely, doesn't bother me. And I don't have children.
Hope this is helpful to somebody. The only way I have to deal with this is to force myself to think of something else and take time to calm down.
I know how you feel by: Paige
me too! i'm afraid of spit and vomit. i can't STAND it.
same way by: Anonymous
my teacher is the same way, i thought it was kinda weird but hey everyones afraid of something.
