Emetophobia is defined as an irrational fear of vomiting. Although nobody likes to vomit, or to see others vomiting, those individuals with emetophobia have an extreme preoccupation with vomiting that can severely compromise everyday life.
Characteristics include avoiding the following:
- Certain jobs and careers. Emetophobes are unable to have a career in which vomiting may be experienced, for example nursing.
- Being near children and babies. This fear can include any work or regular contact with young children and babies in nurseries, schools, play areas – or even having babies of one’s own.
- Eating out. Some emetophobes are anxious about eating in restaurants or having take-aways because of fears of poor hygiene in the preparation of food in the kitchen – and consequent food poisoning, involving vomiting.
- Social Activities. Many emetophobes avoid places where there is the possibility of people being drunk. Even a crowded place may increase the risk of being near someone who may vomit.
- Being near people who are ill. Anxiety levels can rise when a family member or friend is ill – especially if the illness may produce vomiting for any reason.
- Traveling. Some emetophobes avoid traveling – especially to foreign countries, where food may be unfamiliar. The traveling itself may raise fears of travel sickness.
Causes
Many cases of emetophobia can be linked to a previous episode of vomiting, perhaps experienced in childhood. Following this, emetophobes try to avoid a recurrence of such an experience – and demonstrate avoidance behaviour, characteristic of many phobic conditions. Some researchers consider that parental roles are significant in the development of this condition (for example, punishing a child after vomiting).
When people are sick, they are out of control in a physical sense – and for many emetophobes, it is the wish to stay in control that perpetuates their phobia of vomiting.
Treatment
There is no one way of treating this condition. However, some treatment techniques appear to have been useful:
Desentization
This means that the person is gradually desenstized, using exposure to pictures of vomit and individuals vomiting, with accompanying sounds. Images are graded in categories, according to the amount of anxiety thought to be evoked.
Anti-emetics
This is anti-sickness medication. These reduce the symptoms of emetophobia, but do not give a cure.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
This therapy explores and seeks to understand the thoughts behind emetophobia, and what lies behind it – readdressing irrational and negative behaviours.
Clinical hypnotherapy
This can be useful because the process aids relaxation, and builds confidence – lowering anxiety levels in the emetophobe.
It has been noted that some people with emetophobia get better after they have actually vomited. This is particularly relevant for women who experience morning sickness in early pregnancy.
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