Emetophobia.
Emetophobia: An abnormal and persistent fear of vomiting. Sufferers of emetophobia experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. They usually are especially worried about vomiting in public and embarrassing themselves. Consequently, they often avoid office meetings, banquets, dances and other social gatherings. The anxiety produced by this phobia can cause stomach "butterflies" and nausea.
"Emetophobia" is derived from the Greek word "emetos" (vomiting) and "phobos" (fear). Related English words include "emesis" (vomiting), "emetic" (that which induces vomiting, such as the syrup of ipecac used to bring up poisons) and "emetology" (the study of vomiting).
Symptoms of Emetophobia can include:
• Avoiding seeing vomiting on TV or in movies
• Abscessing over the location of bathrooms
• Avoiding all bad-smelling things
• Avoiding hospitals or sick people
• Inability to describe or hear words like “vomit”
• Excessive preemptive use of antacids
• Avoiding places where you’ve felt sick
• Avoiding eating food away from home2
No one enjoys becoming sick, but it’s the excessive avoiding and fear that characterize emetophobia. When a person’s daily life is severely interrupted by this fear, then it is diagnosable as a specific phobia. Excessive worry about vomiting also can lead to the very symptoms a person is trying to avoid, such as nausea. When people began to recognize that anxiety is at work rather than a stomach bug or a bad food, they can learn that they are unlikely to vomit even though they might feel that they will.
Treating Emetophobia
Working on this anxiety through therapy, medication, and a combination of the two can help a person deescalate their panicked reaction to vomiting and teach their brain to tell the difference between anxiety and illness. Anti-anxiety medications can help manage the physical symptoms of panic. Exposure therapy is commonly used to treat emetophobia, by allowing an individual to become gradually more adjusted to situations that promote the anxiety of becoming sick. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also help an individual test the irrational thought patterns they have about vomiting, reminding them that it is a rare event and that they can survive the embarrassment. Emetophobia is treatable, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a counselor or your doctor.
Action Steps
Be objective – To overcome your fear of vomiting, it can be useful to focus on the facts. Ask yourself, “How many times have I actually vomited in my life?” Then ask, “How many days have I adjusted my life because of this fear?” If you have emetophobia, you may find that you’ve made significant life changes for something that happens very rarely. Being able to see that anxiety is driving fear and nausea rather than actual sickness can help you challenge and debunk your irrational fears. Because this can be difficult to do alone, however, a counselor can be a great resource in helping you be objective.
Be honest – Feelings of shame of embarrassment can keep people from speaking up about their emetophobia. They might make excuses about missing a dinner with friends rather than speak the truth about their fear. When you can be honest with loved ones about your struggle with emetophobia, you will have more support when you begin to try new foods, travel, or do any of the activities which pose a challenge for your phobia. Many also find that when they can be honest with others about their phobia, they can begin to be honest with themselves about needing help and support to overcome it.
Be assertive – Don’t be afraid to get specific and be assertive when asking for help. Don’t dance around the subject—just tell your doctor or counselor that you have a fear of vomiting that is controlling your life. No professional will be surprised or confused by this fear, so you don’t have to worry about being embarrassed. Emetophobia is a common phobia that is very treatable, so the more information you give a professional, the better they can treat you. If you feel that a professional is ill-equipped to help you, be assertive and ask for a referral to someone who can.
No fear has to dictate how you live your life, and the fear of vomiting is no exception. Consider how you can seek help today to challenge and move past a fear that is keeping you from your best life.
Dr Anshul Mahajan
Consultant psychiatrist