Emetophobia is the immense or great fear of vomiting or seeing other people vomit. And shockingly enough, it is widespread. Children who already tend towards anxiety are more prone to do so.
Treatments like taking therapies such as hypnotherapy for fear of vomiting can be effective. Emetophobia has no specific treatments but talking therapies for OCD and phobias have been successful. Along with these methods, antidepressant drugs like SSRIs or SNRIs can help people feel less anxious and depressed.
What are the triggers for emetophobia?
It can appear suddenly or after a distressing episode of vomiting. An increase of risk may occur if you have a family background or history in the genetics of anxiety disorders or specific phobias. Emetophobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder are closely related because they exhibit some OCD symptoms.
The integral part of the development of emetophobia is not entirely explored. Some people think this phobia emerges on its own or following a traumatic or unpleasant event involving vomiting. Another hypothesis is that this phobia may be caused by genes or other biological or psychological causes. Anxiety might also result in nausea. “While triggers for emetophobia vary, combining gradual exposure with targeted treatment for emetophobia through hypnosis can help retrain the mind’s response to nausea-related cues and reduce anxiety over time.” – A specialist at PhobiaMan Clinic notes
A person who has severe anxiety or experiences anxiety in most cases of the day is likely more prone to this phobia. Before we venture to know the symptoms of this phobia, it is critical first to know the possible reasons or triggers of a person’s anxiety that correlates to the phobia.
Additionally, they might experience severe anxiety in specific scenarios. Such as having trouble finding a bathroom, choking on their vomit, being unable to stop vomiting, embarrassing themselves in front of others, and needing to go to the hospital
What are the symptoms of emetophobia?
An inevitable change of actions is a crucial part of the symptoms of this phobia, such as avoidance of many things. Far more frightening than vomiting might be someone’s fear of becoming ill. However, because they believe they must stop or avoid routine tasks that can make them unwell, this predictability can significantly lower their quality of life.
To lower their risk of vomiting, a person could employ preventive actions or avoidance techniques. These may consist of avoidance of unfamiliar foods and drinks or especially the foods and beverages that previously provoked them to vomit. Avoid stinky or malodorous smells, refuse to go to certain restaurants or in general, avoidance of trips or travel, and socialize.
Avoidance of using and hearing “vomit” or other words that conjure up images of it since these cause the person to have imaginary pictures of themselves or others vomiting. Avoidance of medical institutions and hospitals that may cause them to feel anxious or may let them have the possibility of seeing people vomit.
Symptoms also include excessive usage of antacids and handwashing, which initially explain their trait related to OCD. It has also been mentioned that, more often than not, the phobia of vomiting or seeing people vomit (emetophobia) is mistaken for germaphobia. Germaphobia, on the other hand, is a phobia or fear of germs and bacteria. Emetophobia has also been mistaken for eating disorders which are avoidance or restriction of food intake or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.
Excessive keeping their eye out for their own and others’ illnesses is a symptom of emetophobia. Even though food is healthy or close to expiration, a person with the disease may discard it if it is unsafe or suspicious for them. These actions may result in losing weight, which can also be a symptom.
Significant weight loss is a possible side effect of these practices, which is also a sign of eating disorders. However, in emetophobia, the fear of vomiting rather than the fear of gaining weight or worrying about one’s looks drives food avoidance and weight loss.
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