What is Emetophobia?
by Katherine Pica LCSW
Heights, flying, water, storms, closed spaces, public speaking. What do all of these things have in common? These are common fears or phobias that individuals may develop over their lifetime. The truth is that someone can have a fear of anything.
A less obvious but understandable fear is emetophobia, or the fear of throwing up. The reality is that no one actually enjoys throwing up. That being said, it’s considered a normal bodily function, just like going to the bathroom. However, some can develop a fear of vomiting, and it can actually greatly impact life.
At Resilience Counseling, no two people come to us with the exact same experience of emetophobia. Some are avoiding travel, some are carefully managing food, and others feel stuck in constant monitoring of their bodies. Over the years, we have learned that treatment works best when it is personalized and grounded in compassion and science. Our approach focuses on understanding each person’s patterns, fears, and goals so therapy feels practical and doable rather than overwhelming. This article shares some of what we have learned from helping many individuals in San Diego and across California gradually take back the parts of life that fear once limited. Let’s learn more about emetophobia and how to seek help.
What is Emetophobia?
Emetophobia is a fear of throwing up, getting sick, watching someone else vomit, or seeing vomit. People who deal with emetophobia have a constant fear that they will get sick or they’ll hear, smell, or see someone else get sick. Throwing up is one of those things that can happen when you least expect it. The lack of control over body symptoms that someone feels can add to the anxiety of this diagnosis.
What causes Emetophobia?
The cause of emetophobia is still unknown. However, we believe that both genetics and learning can affect emetophobia. Sometimes traumatic vomiting experience or past negative experience with vomiting could also be a likely cause of developing this condition. Family history can also increase the likelihood of developing emetophobia. If your family has a history of fears or phobias, you may be more likely to develop a similar condition. Preexisting mental health conditions like anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can also be a factor.
Common Triggers
These are some of the most common triggers of emetophobia:
Bodily functions like burping, coughing, or hiccupping
Choking sensations
Experiencing other types of illness, like acid reflux or diarrhea
Feeling nauseous
Finding out someone they know is sick or experiencing food poisoning
Hearing about someone puking
Motion sickness, turbulence, or bumpy car rides
Reading about someone vomiting
Seeing other people or animals gag or vomit
Smelling something unpleasant
The appearance of vomit
Words like “vomit,” “throw up,” “puke,” “hurl,” and “blow chunks.”
Thinking about vomiting in the past
Trying a new food or beverage they’ve never had before
Watching a television show or a movie with a vomiting scene
Trying an unsafe food
What is the Effect of Emetophobia?
Emetophobia can affect an individual much more than just making them afraid of vomit. Emetophobia can significantly impact life and cause significant impairment. Due to this existing fear, they may experience other secondary fears, worries, or anxieties. These are some of the other common fears that are related to emetophobia:
Going to a hospital
Not being able to find a bathroom
Secondhand embarrassment from vomiting
Fear of feeling uncomfortable or making others uncomfortable
Fear of Anxiety Symptoms
Why is emetophobia so debilitating?
Emetophobia can also bring on behaviors to try to avoid seeing, hearing, or smelling vomit or getting sick.
Someone experiencing emetophobia may develop disordered eating and drinking habits. They may avoid foods and beverages that cause them to vomit previously. They may also avoid eating when they’re out because they aren’t able to control a food’s quality, temperature, bacteria, and more.
Other avoidant behaviors may include avoiding people or places due to germs or diseases. Someone with this diagnosis may also limit television or social media.
A sense of over-preparedness may also develop. Extra time may be spent planning for one-off situations. Someone may be on the lookout for the nearest bathroom.
Here is the thing about vomit, though. Vomit actually protects us! If we have eaten bad food to have a stomach bug it is the body’s way of naturally cleaning itself. Vomiting is inevitable and totally out of our control. The problem with emetophobia is that all the worries and compulsions are trying to prevent vomiting. Vomit is something that will happen from time to time in our lives. Worrying can not stop it.
Emetophobia Therapy San Diego, CA
Although emetophobia isn’t talked about as much as some of the other common fears, it is still a well-known fear among both children and adults. One of the treatment options is to seek additional support via specialized therapy. The most supported approach for Emetophobia Is ERP. ERP can help you get back into life by reducing avoidance and rumination. Step by step, it can help you chip away at the challenges. ERP is a research-based approach that can help you return to your life.
At Resilience Counseling, we are trained in Exposure and Response prevention (ERP) and specialize in the treatment of Emetophobia, OCD, and anxiety. Our OCD therapist team includes therapists who specialize in OCD and anxiety and spend their days helping people practice these skills in real life.
We offer individual therapy, support for emtophobia for children, teens, and adults, and parent guidance, available in person in San Diego and via telehealth throughout California. The goal is always the same: practical, evidence-based care that fits into everyday life. Our team helps people move forward with more confidence! We work with this day in and day out and have helped so many like you who have struggled overcome these challenges. We can help you too! Contact us today to book a free consultation call.
Author Bio: Katherine Pica, LCSW OCD Therapy - San Diego, CA
As the Clinical Director and Practice Owner of Resilience Counseling, I supervise our therapists and bring more than 19 years of experience to the team, with specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD and EMDR for trauma. My team of OCD therapists and I offer in person sessions in San Diego and virtual therapy throughout California. Contact us today to learn more.
Emetophobia, Anxiety & OCD therapy near me
Disclaimer: The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional and or medical advice, diagnosis, and or treatment. It is important to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental health and/or medical condition. Never disregard any professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Resilience Counseling website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 or local emergency number immediately.
