Fear of Vomiting

Fear of vomiting, also known as emetophobia, is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense and persistent fear of vomiting. People with this fear may go to great lengths to avoid situations that they believe could lead to vomiting, and they often engage in safety behaviors to reduce their anxiety and protect themselves from the perceived threat.

Safety behaviors are actions that people take to try to prevent or avoid a feared outcome, in this case vomiting. Some common safety behaviors among people with emetophobia include:

Avoiding certain foods: People with emetophobia may limit their diets to only those foods they believe are safe and will not cause them to vomit. This can result in malnutrition and other health problems.

Avoiding certain places: People with emetophobia may avoid places that they associate with vomiting, such as crowded or poorly ventilated rooms, public restrooms, and restaurants.

Checking for symptoms: People with emetophobia may constantly check for symptoms of nausea or vomiting, such as monitoring their heart rate or checking for a sore throat.

Carrying anti-nausea medication: People with emetophobia may carry anti-nausea medication with them at all times, in case they experience any symptoms of vomiting.

Compulsive cleaning: People with emetophobia may engage in compulsive cleaning behaviors, such as constantly washing their hands, to reduce their anxiety about getting sick.

While these safety behaviors may provide temporary relief from anxiety, they do not address the root cause of emetophobia and can actually make the fear worse over time. By avoiding feared situations and relying on safety behaviors, people with emetophobia are not able to face and overcome their fear, and they may continue to experience anxiety and avoidant behaviors even in the absence of the perceived threat.

If you or someone you know is struggling with emetophobia, it is important to seek professional help. Treatment for emetophobia typically involves cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and other evidence-based interventions, which can help people overcome their fear of vomiting and learn healthy coping strategies.