Emetophobia is a phobia that causes overwhelming, intense anxiety pertaining to vomit. This specific phobia can also include subcategories of what causes the anxiety, including a fear of vomiting, being vomited on, or seeing others vomit. Emetophobes might also avoid the mentions of "barfing", vomiting, "throwing up", or "puking".
It is common for those who suffer from emetophobia to be underweight or malnourished due to strict diets and restrictions they make for themselves. The thought of someone possibly vomiting can cause the phobic person to engage in extreme behaviors to escape from their anxiety triggers, e.g. going to great lengths to avoid situations that could be perceived as "threatening".
Emetophobia is clinically considered an "elusive predicament" because limited research has been done pertaining to it. The fear of vomiting receives little attention compared to other fears. with -phobia meaning "an exaggerated usually inexplicable fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation."
Overview
The event of vomiting or even any vomit related occasion (for example, mentions in a conversation), may invoke fear in a person. Many people who suffer with emetophobia may feel the need to flee the scene in these situations. Some fear other people throwing up, themselves throwing up, or both. People with emetophobia may also experience anxiety that makes them feel or believe they will throw up, even if they wouldn't.
Those with emetophobia may also experience fears such as not being able to locate a restroom in a timely manner or not having the opportunity to flee from a situation. Other fears may include not being able to stop throwing up, choking on vomit, being embarrassed due to the situation, or having to seek medical attention. They may also be afraid of hearing that someone is feeling like vomiting or that someone has vomited or the mention of any word relating to the act of vomiting, usually in conjunction with the fears of seeing someone vomit or seeing vomit.
Presentation
Complications
Emetophobes may also have other complicating disorders and phobias, such as social anxiety, fear of flying and agoraphobia. These three are very common, because people who fear vomiting are often terrified of doing so or encountering it in a public place. Therefore, they may restrict their social activities so they avoid any situations with alcohol or dining out in restaurants. Emetophobics may also limit exposure to children for fear of germs. People who have a fear of vomiting may avoid travel because of the worry about motion sickness or others experiencing it around them. They may also fear roller coasters for the same reason.
Lipsitz et al.'s findings also showed that those with emetophobia often have difficulties comfortably leading a normal life. Professions and personal goals can be put on hold due to the high anxiety associated with the phobia, and travelling becomes almost impossible for some. and if they did become pregnant, it made pregnancy difficult. Those who suffer from emetophobia might avoid anything that has an unpleasant smell or aroma, in fear of vomiting. They might also avoid any sight that may induce vomiting in them or other people. and the Emetophobia Questionnaire. They are self-report questionnaires that focus on a different range of symptoms.
There have been a limited number of studies in regard to emetophobia. It is most commonly used to treat certain behaviors by changing people's actions and thoughts by using a variety of different techniques to figure out why the fear is occurring. Speaking to a therapist can also be beneficial and develop possible coping mechanisms.
Exposure treatments
Exposure methods, using video-taped exposure to others vomiting, hypnosis, exposure to nausea and exposure to cues of vomiting, systemic behavior therapy, psychodynamic and psychotherapy have also shown positive effects for the treatment of emetophobia. However, in some cases it may cause re-traumatization, and the phobia may become more intense as a result.
Notable people with emetophobia
- Joan Baez
- Ashley Benson
- Jamie Borthwick
- Charlie Brooker
- Denise Richards
- Christina Pazsitzky
- Bella Ramsey
- Raina Telgemeier
- Matt Watson
- Tuppence Middleton
See also
- Bulimia nervosa
- Emetophilia
- List of phobias
- Mysophobia
- Nosocomephobia
- Nosophobia
- Pharmacophobia
- Tokophobia