Emetophobia

(A Specific phobia of vomit)

What is Emetophobia?

“Emetophobia is a condition where an individual fears vomiting or others vomiting (both commonly both). Emetophobia is a real and treatable problem.” David Veale.

A person may regularly feel sick but not actually be sick. It may become a preoccupation and the only thing you think about. It is often linked to a fear that you will lose control, become very ill or that others will find you repulsive.

As a result you try too hard to avoid a wide range of situations or activities that you might believe might increase risk of vomiting.

Things you might avoid if you have Emetophobia could include;

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  • Being near drunks / people who have drunk a lot

  • Going on a fairground ride

  • Being near people who are ill

  • Travelling by boat

  • Going on holidays abroad

  • Travelling by aeroplane

  • Drinking alcohol

  • Going into crowded places

  • Using public transport

  • Eating certain foods

    Some people with vomit phobia have avoided general anaesthetic for surgery.

    Many women with phobia of vomiting have avoided getting pregnant or terminated a pregnancy.

    Women with babies might experience a great deal of distress about their child vomiting.


Other behaviours you might notice include;

  • You might excessively check the sell-by date of foods in a shop or eat only small amounts of food

  • You might be excessive hygienic

  • Check the health of yourself & others

  • Use superstitious behaviours

  • Seek reassurance about whether others are ill or could be sick

  • Excessively clean the kitchen area

  • If you think you are going to vomit, you might look for an escape route

  • Try to keep tight control of your behaviour

  • Take anti-nausea medication or suck a sweet


    All the above behaviours are called “safety seeking behaviours” and maintain your fear as you never find out whether you need to use them or not and increase your fear.

    If these problems ring a bell for you or a loved one, maybe its time to get help. My Therapist online has lots of Emetophobia specialist therapists ,we can put you in touch with.

When does a concern with vomiting become a phobia?

Many people are fearful of vomiting to some degree, but to be diagnosed with a specific phobia of vomiting (this is the official title) it must be significantly distressing or have an effect on your life. For example, it may interfere with an important relationship or your social life or work.

What causes Emetophobia?

There is so far limited research into the cause of Emetophobia, but there are lots of specialists (inclusing Professor David Veale and his team of experts at the Anxiety Disorders Services in South London) working hard to expand the evidence base. Causes of Emetophobia are thought to be a mixture of psychological and biological. There is also thought to be a genetic influence. It is a phobia that usually develops in childhood, sometimes after a bad experience of vomiting.

Once a phobia develops it is maintained by the way you avoid anything linked to vomiting and maintain a constant state of preparedness, preoccupation, safety seeking behaviours and avoidance. Emetophobia is much more likely to occur in women.

What is the best treatment for Emetophobia?

Treatment for Emetophobia typically involves some form of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It can be an effective treatment for Emetophobia because it helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to their fear of vomiting. CBT may include techniques such as exposure therapy and behavioural experiments in which individuals gradually confront their fear and test out their safety seeing behaviours or feared beliefs in a controlled, planned way with a good and clear rationale. Facing your fear will get easier and easier to face up to your fear and your anxiety will tend to reduce. CBT also involves cognitive restructuring, in which individuals learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts about vomiting.

Other treatments that may be helpful for Emetophobia include:

  1. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This is a third wave evidence based therapy, which helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings about vomiting and learn to take actions that align with their values and goals.

  2. Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR): Therapist need to be trained and qualified to use this type of therapy. EMDR involves eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation (which is typically the technique used for online treatment) to help individuals process and resolve negative memories and emotions related to vomiting.

Recommended reading about Emetophobia

Experts in the treatment of Emetophobia at My Therapist Online

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