Fear and Phobias 6: Emetophobia
Emetophobia: A fear of vomiting or choking is not uncommon and can cause any existing social anxiety to become intensified as the fear of becoming the focus of attention increases. It appears to be related to a number of factors including social anxiety, competence concerns, and stress factors.
In addition to medication, when appropriate, cognitive behavior therapy and now competence training is being used to alleviate this fear.
This particular phobia is not widely studied on its own, yet many suffer from it in some form. Are you one of them?
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: emetophobia, phobia, vomit, choking, health and wellness
In addition to medication, when appropriate, cognitive behavior therapy and now competence training is being used to alleviate this fear.
This particular phobia is not widely studied on its own, yet many suffer from it in some form. Are you one of them?
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: emetophobia, phobia, vomit, choking, health and wellness
45 Comments:
YES I am one of them. So what do I do?
Yes I too have this fear and suffer with it daily what can I do?
I'm absolutely suffering from this. I really wish it would be studied so that I could finally find some relief as I deal with this for what feels like every minute of every day!
it really sucks; this phobia. Ive suffered so much because of it. Causing panic attacks lack of eating and losing 30 lbs. Its horrible and i wish i could get rid of this fear.
My 6 year son has recently devloped a fear of choaking. He chews & spits out everything he puts in his mouth except liquids. He said that he feels like there is something in his throat & can't swallow. I took him to the DR. today ,,,She said It's seasonal allergies ??? & Perscribed Claritan allergy & A sinus spray. This came on all of a sudden,,, I don't know what to do !!!
I to am dealing with this fear. Something that was triggered in a past relationship. I am currently working on a CD program from CTRN Phobia Clinic. It does not specify this phobia, but so far it seems to be teaching the mind certain things. This set was not cheap, but I feel as though this is my last option. Check it out...
i have this!! i've suffered with this DAILY for the last 4 years!!! what can be done? im really starting to worry about my health as a result of eating. i only eat at home because eating in public causes panic attacks! and as a college student i am gone all day long. i eat once a day if im lucky. and both my parents are nurses so i know the health risks. i just cannot make myself eat when im not home! HELP!
I feel i suffer from this as well. I'm a nurse and its hard for me to take care of certain patients because they may be vomiting. but i freak out and am unable to do my job.
In my experience phobias such as this one need to be tackled earlier rather than later. Otherwise avoidance tends to be used as a way of coping and this tactic does not help to resolve the fear.
yeah. i totally have this.
ive suffered for a while, lost around 20lbs in the past month. and the doctors cannot find anything wrong with me. i refuse to eat in worry that it may make me vomit. i dont know what to do becuase i dont have insurance. i always feel nauseated. and it never goes away. some one help?
After having my 3rd child last year, I've lost about 25lbs and I can't gain them back. My doctor says it's dangerous to be so underweight, but I have trouble gaining because of emetophobia. I need help.
Okay ~ here is the deal. I learned of this phobia awhile back but I find little information on it. I was happy to come upon this post. My fear is of catching a stomach virus that would make me throw up. I believe this stems from a childhood experience where I had food poisoning. I am so bad about germs. I think everything may be "contaminated" with a stomach virus and I avoid anyone that has had it. I've even quit jobs when outbreaks occurred. Help me! Please... I've been to therapy it doesn't work for me. At least not the way they were going about it. Touch doorknobs. hug kids. no, that didn't help. I also get panic attacks from it.
I also suffer from this phobia and unfortunately I feel that there is not much that can be done about it. I also have an anxiety disorder which I'm positive is directly related to this and it has ruined countless years of my life. I've had it for as long as I can remember and cannot pinpoint it on any single event that may have caused it.
I've been to nearly every kind of therapist you can think of for my anxiety disorder and I've found that for me cognitive behavior therapy has helped the most. I know that this sounds impossible but the most valuable thing for me is positive reinforcement (by myself) and not allowing it to control every aspect of my life. With most phobias you usually deal with it by slowly being introduced to whatever irrational fear it may be. With this one it's different which may be why I feel it's so hard to deal with. I try to reason with myself and tell myself that it's not a big deal, that it's just a horrible feeling that lasts for usually less than a minute and there are worse things in life. That being said, it has ruined every momentous thing in my life, at times I've resorted to self-mutilation to cope with it and I've been suicidal. I can also honestly say that I have been doing a lot better in the past couple of years and with a strong self-will I hope that some of you can come to terms with it somewhat.
Probably the most beneficial thing my cognitive behavioral therapist told me is that succumbing to the anxiety and fear I am essentially feeding it with power. Facing it and throwing myself into social situations that I know will trigger panic attacks seems crazy but doing it and coming out okay gives me confidence. It takes away some of its power and allows me to lead a semi-normal life. I sitll have problems going away and I lead a methodical life that usually includes staying inside my "comfort bubble".
I hope that someday there will be some breakthrough research but I wouldn't count on it and I hope that some of you out there can eventually find some solace in what you are dealing with.
I very much dislike vomiting, but oddly my biggest fear is other people vomiting from drinking. Is it odd that I isolate my fear to that only? I don't have a problem eating out but I do have a very tough time being in situations where I feel people have drank too much, especially my significant other. Anybody else have isolated fears such as this, or have any thoughts?
i suffer from this problem .. i do not like to eat when i am out i would rather eat at home incase of feeling sick or vomiting i would not want to be in public. i obsess about it.. i have a child and any time she acts funny or says her belly hurts i freak cuz i automatically think shes going to throw up. i think about this daily and it stresses me out!
I have this problem too..but I sound like I am almost the oppposite as many read here. I am so afraid of Felling sick or nauseas...like when you have an empty stomach...that I eat too much. It's too the point that I don't understand when I am full, but I keep eating, afraid that I will feel those stomach pangs that bring on my anxiety. I have a small body frame...always have, but in the last year I have gained over 2o pounds.
This is maybe the worst phobia to have. I've been dealing with it since I was 7 years old and I'm now 21. It seems like the only way to get over it is to throw up and then realize it isn't that bad. But that doesn't feel like an option because I'm afraid of throwing up or feeling nausea. I avoid doing so much in my life. I wont ride passenger in a car, stay out too late, drink alcohol, drink root beer, be near sick people, and now I've developed this weird panic attack when I hear jet sounds overhead because it made me feel nausea once when they were really loud. I feel like I can't ever be normal. They need to really study this more because I think a lot of people suffer from it. I don't travel anymore or do so many things that I'd like to.
My 9 year old daughter is now facing this and hope that we soon find help. She saw a a friend of hers choke during school lunch, and now refuses to eat as she is so afraid that she is going to choke. She has lost 30 lbs in 3 weeks!
She had helped the girl that was choking by administering the heimlic on her, and the food came out! So, you would think that she was a hero, but it has only caused our family grief.
We are going to a psycholigist for medication, but sadly enough, we have 3 more weeks until the appointment is here. Thank god for insurance right?
Sad Mom
I've had this since I was 6 years old and I threw up on my mom at my birthday party. I haven't thrown up since then. I'm 18 now and it's soooo much worse. I can't sleep at night. It's actually interfering with my life. I have no time to see a counsoler and I'm not sure how any drugs with react with my anti-convulsives (I'm epileptic too). I just really don't want to throw up, it's so gross!
I suffered with this phobia for years and years..... Basically ruining my adolescent years and turning them into a living hell.
I was diagnosed with anorexia in 6th grade which did not help the situation, because I was being treated for a disorder that I didn't have!
I am now about to get my degree in counseling to make sure that I don't let other kids fall through the cracks the way I did.
As someone who has studied different theories of therapy, and who has been through the phobia myself, I would recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy to help.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps change behaviors by changing the irrational thoughts behind them. I know it's hard to be told that your thoughts are irrational when they feel so real and they affect your life every minute, but it's not your fault.
And like someone said a few posts up, sometimes just getting it over with and throwing up is a good way to help you feel better, actually. This is what happened to me. When I was in 11th grade, I woke up one morning around 4am feeling so sick. That went on for about 6 hours, I've never been so anxious in my life, but I ended up throwing up that morning, and I felt more relief than I'd ever felt in years. I felt better physically, I wasn't feeling sick anymore, and I had this incredible feeling of "that's it? REALLY? All those years of suffering because I was afraid of THAT? and it wasn't even that bad at all!!"
I'm not saying that you should make yourself sick to "cure" yourself, but just to realize that as humans, sometimes we throw up and it's relatively normal!!
Ok, this is a long post, I'll wrap it up. I just wanted to give the other people out here hope that they can get through this. If I could get through it, I believe anyone can.
Good luck!
This is the same poster as the comment above, and I just wanted to include a few more tips for people to try......
Something that has REALLY worked for me, and is also a cognitive-behavioral technique, is positive re-framing.
What I mean by this.... Eating used to bring me a lot of anxiety. So much so that I would go for weeks at a time without eating more than breakfast and a few bites of lunch. But something that works for me now is to get EXCITED about eating. I like food and I WANT to eat, so when I buy, prepare, and cook really fun, interesting, tasty meals for myself, it gets me in the mood to eat and it makes me excited to eat.
Cooking is actually a very relaxing, rewarding activity, and the more you can get yourself excited to eat, the less anxiety you will feel.
I come home every night from work, pour a small glass of wine, and cook up something that I really want to eat. It's fun, it's healthy, and it makes me look forward to the time I spend cooking and eating.
So basically, what I've done is take my negative thoughts and consciously turned them into something that I see as positive.
Also - When you go out to eat, try going places that are warm, calm, inviting, quiet, and cozy. Go with a person who understands what you're going through, so that if you need to excuse yourself for fresh air, or if you need a hand to hold, they'll be there. Take your time eating, rushing = more anxiety. And take deep breaths when you start to feel anxious.
All of these things have worked for me. I wanted to pass them along to all of you.
Again, if I could make it through this phobia, I believe all of you can.
I wish you all the best.
I am on of them as well, and I don't know what to do. I try so hard not to be this way, but I can't control it. Currently, a family member of mine is ill and I'm scared to go home, I refuse to stay at home. I have not eaten since this morning and will not until I know I am ok. I need help, I can't live like this anymore.
I have been suffering from this for as long as I can remember. I haven't thrown up since I was in the 4th grade and I am now 24. I have 3 children, two that are in school and I am constantly afraid that they are going to come home with the bug. I usually just deal with it and go on...but recently it has gottn worse. My husband got the bug and was throwing up...I haven't eaten normally since...that was about 2 and a half months ago. I just want to be free from this. I have never gotten real help but was reading about the therapy on this website. It seems very expensive but was hoping that someone else has tried it and could say if it helps or not.
I have struggled with this for quite some time. I can only recall puking about 4 times in my life, and I did this past December for the first time in 15 years or so. Though I survived it and knew I would be fine, I'm still terrified of puking.
It is the cause of most of my anxiety and panic, for which I'm now on medicine. If I get the slight idea that I might be getting sick in any way, I immediately panic. Feeling nauseous makes me panic and now I just take some of my medicine right away to try and calm me down. Without that, though, I'm not sure how I'd handle it. It makes me a slight hypochondriac as well. It's definitely not fun and I wish I could deal with it without medicine.
Finally, I feel like I'm not alone with this phobia of vomit. I had a horrible experience when I was a child. I saw my grandmother get very sick from being dehidrated. She vomited a lot and from that day forward, I developed a fear of it. Even when I feel like I have to, I'll make myself hold it down so I won't throw up. I feel it has taken a toll of my everyday life because I have a child and would like to marry oneday. How can I have a family when I can't care for them when they're sick? Is some one out there who can help me? I've suffered from many panic attacks from this and I just want to be normal. It seems no one else understands or they look at me like I'm crazy. Help me please!
Wow, as I read alot of these comments as I scrolled down to add my own I noticed I have alot in common with most of you. I'm a 28 yr old Female suffering from severe anxiety due to my fear of "being sick" I can't even bring myself around to using more tech words due to the fact that if I say it, it might happen like a jinx or something. I've been suffering since the age of 15. Seeing many Dr.s over the years. I'm afraid to lave my own home cause it's like a safety zone for me, and let me tell you if it weren't for my family and friends who understand or atleast try to understand helps. But what helps even more is medication, which I'm corrently NOT taking due to change in health insurance and Dr.s so right now I'm in major withdrawl. If anyone has any suggestions on a medcation that works for them withOUT side effects please let me know. At Johnsgrl8@aol.com
I too have emetaphobia, I've had it since i was about 10 and i dont know what set it off but my sister looked like she was going to be sick and i ran, stuck my fingers in my ears and shut my eyes! Since i've been so scared of vomiting, i've got 3 children and i can deal with sick when im pregnant but not when i'm not, My eldest girl has vomited tonight, i stayed calm, rubbed her back and told her she was going to be ok, cleaned it all up (took me about an hour tho) now all i can think about it me, hubby and the other kids getting a stomache bug, my kids are never sick just the once they throw up loads over 24 hours and i'm just waiting for her to do it again or my other 2 to wake up puking, i dont know what to do any more, i've been for a consultation with a therapest but its way to much money and i hide the fact i have this in front of my hubby some how, he doesnt have a clue i feel like this and i havent a clue how to tell him, how can i get over this or learn how to cope without spending £700! i need help!
I can't believe there's a name for this. I thought I was alone. I have been suffering form this for as long as I can remember. I'm 26 now and even the thought of someone around me being or has been sick freaks me out so bad that I have anxiety issues.
Tonight my son got sick during dinner and I thought that if I faced me fear and took care of him myself instead of my husband doing as usual that it would help me. In turn I had a full on pnaic attack, got real hot and couldn't catch my breath, started sobbing uncontrolably and it lasted a good 15 to 20min
This phobia has ruined most of my life, from going to birthday parties and school functions ad a child to being able to function in the real world having a job and being a good mother. I've never thougth about treatment until now and am planning on see a Dr. asap. Thanks of listening Good luck everyone...
I cannot believe that so many other people experience this! but i think my situation is a little different. its like, im absolutely terrified of vomiting, and scared to see or hear about others doing it, but in some sort of strange way, i am almost upset that i cannot do it myself. its not that I WANT to vomit, its just that I have never done it in my life (since this one time when I was 7), and i think thats kind of strange because everyone says they all vomit every once in a while, they say it like its a natural part of life, so i fear that there may be something else wrong with me medically. im in college, so every winter there is always some stomach virus or flu that goes around on campus, and I always get the flu. i hear about other girls in my dorm that get the stomach virus and run to the bathroom and vomit, then when they come out, they always say, "well, that sucked, but now i feel SOOO much better." i get upset because when i get the flu, i often feel very nauseuous as well, but i cannot throw up naturally. the thing is, i dont know whether i cant throw up because there is something actually wrong with my body or whether it is because i get so nervous and fearful of vomiting that i hold it down and tell myself that im okay...so all that does is just make me sicker for a very long period of time. i wish i could just vomit naturally and get it over with like other people, but I have never been able to do so. i get very nauseous like other people do, but i just never have the associated vomiting because i am so fearful of it. i dont know, maybe i am just weird and im all alone on this, but i wonder if anyone else is out there like me? like, with a great fear of vomiting, but at the same time, annoyed by the fear and really really wish that they could vomit normally? i wish i could do it normally like others and not make such a big deal over it.....its like i WANT to vomit but i dont....
Wow, I had no idea that so many people suffered from it. I have a 5 year old daughter who, after vomitting at school, is now constantly talking about her tummy hurting (daily, on and off all day). I have taken her to the doctor and he said she was fine and that it was probably psychological. This has been going on for over three months. She doesn't want to drink too much, eat too much, and doesn't want to go to school anymore. I don't want her to feel like I don't believe her and take her pain seriously, but I am at a loss of what to do. I have talked to her at lenghts about her trying to reassure her, but at 5 years old, it is hard for them to understand phobias, and hard for me to know if it is a phobia, or a serious health issue I should check into further. I am worried that it will continue into her adulthood and lead to some serious health issues. After reading some of the comments, I am even more concerned....any ideas for help?
I've been dealing with this for a while, I have no idea what triggered it. Not a day goes by where I don't think of being sick. Whenever my stomach twinges or gurgles, I get so anxious that I'm going to be sick. Now that this stomach bug is going around, I wash my hands so often that theyre actually red and swollen. I'm 18 and in college, and I envy the girls on my floor that can party and vomit without thinking much of it. I mean, how do they do that?!
Replying to the post above, I also wish I could naturally vomit without anxiety. When my boyfriend or friends throw up they always kinda blow it off as it was indegestion. They know about this phobia and are supportive, but still I feel like i'm being a baby about it. A few months ago, I got food poisoning at school. I paniced and my two friends came in and I made them stay with me. When I finally vomitted, I made one of them hold my hand as I shook and cried.
I'm very fortunate to have such good friends that are there for me....but i want nothing more than to get rid of this phobia and be able to deal with vomitting. I feel trapped, it's all I think about. If anybody wants to talk, email me md884362@albany.edu.
Welllll, for years I thought I was alone on this because I never knew anyone who had it. I've had the phobia for quite a long time, I think it started either when I was 7 or when I was 9. I'm now 15, almost 16. I'm too scared to go on rides, and travel. I would love to travel the world one day, but I get anxious on planes, incase I feel sick and can't get off. I used to be fine on trains, but the other day I suffered my first panic attack on a train when a girl was sick. I'm now even more scared to go on planes incase someones sick, I have a panic attack & can't get off. My phobia was really bad for a while, got better for a year maybe (was still bad, but was much better) & has now come back worse again. I get sweaty and anxious in assemblies or exams at school or other likewise situations. I physically can't see people be sick, although I'm generally OK if I just see sick on the pavement. There was one point in my life where I was too scared to eat just in case. It's hard with this phobia, & sometimes it gets really bad, but I guess I'll just have to live with it. Sorry if it's a long post. Good luck in getting over it everybody. Lots of love xxx
I thought I was totally nuts and alone. I have had a fear of people vomiting for my entire life. I used to cry and scream in a corner when I was a little girl when someone in my house was getting sick. Myself, my husband, and my 2 boys just had the stomach bug a few days ago, and I have never been so unsettled in my own skin. I can't sleep for days, because I think it is going to happen again, I start sweating, my hands get clammy, and my heart rate goes to almost 200. I actually had to call my Mom to calm me down. I was just in tears. This phobia sounds ridiculous to other people that don't understand it, but it can be devestating to someone that does. 28 years is long enough to deal with this. My life has suffered enough. Good luck to everyone that shares my feelings, and know that you are not the only one.
Yes! this is exactly what I have. I am only 13,but every day I think about what would happen if I threw up. Wherever I am, I have to mentally plan an "escape route" and know where the bathrooms are in case I get sick. I haven't gotten sick since I can even really remember, but I don't go on rides or eat a lot of new foods in case I have a "weak stomach." It gets hard to live with because whenever I start thinking about it too much, I get all shakey and my breathing gets very fast- almost hyperventilating. I'm tired of feeling so bad. Can anybody help?
My son is 7 and he had the flu. Now he is afraid to eat because he thinks he will throw up. When he does throw up, he instantly feels better.
Until I try to get him to eat again. He said he would be happy if the doctor told him he never had to eat or drink again,
I don't know what to do. Is this the begining of something he will deal with the rest of his life?
Is this how it starts?
To the posters with the 7 year old and the 5 year old, I am going through the exact same thing with my 7 year old. She witnessed someone vomiting 4 weeks ago, and keeps saying "my tummy, my tummy" " will I throwup" I just started her with cognitive behavorial therapy. We have just went for 1 visit so far. If you want to email me, perhaps we could be of some support to each other for this. My email is JLBonelli@optonline.net
Wow. I'm awake right now, because I got a text message saying that my best friend was throwing up a few hours ago. I shared drinks with here tonight, which of course has me scared out of my MIND that I'm going to have to throw up. Now I'm shaky and scared. I totally sympathize with you guys, this fear (like any fear) SUCKS. I wish I knew how to get over it! I'm generally not TOO afraid, unless, like in this situation, somebody I know is throwing up. And since we shared drinks and smokes tonight, I'm so terrified!!!! :(
i cant believe this! i thought i was the only one who had this. this phobia has ruined my life. I'm afraid of getting sick. if someone is throwing up i will not go near them. i cant hear it smell it see it or else i will feel nausea. If my children are sick i cant even take care of them because im afraid im going to get it. i have a fear of traveling because if i have to throw up i think about what if theres not a bathroom around me or what if someone sees me get sick. i constantly have to plan an escape route wherever i am. if its at school or out driving in my car, at restaurants. i have had this for many years. i wish there was a cure for this. i have not got sick in 5 years and i think to myself since its been that long that i will get it soon and im terrified of it. i constantly ask people if i have a fever or if my face is pale. My anxiety gets so high that i actually tend to feel more sick to my stomach. HELP ME!!!!
YES, oh my gosh yes. I empathize with everyone who has this, but I'm also so glad to know I'm not alone. I truly thought I was the only one who felt this way. Just this evening, my family and I had to eat in the car b/c I couldn't handle trying to eat inside the restaurant when we went out for supper. I'm so tired of feeling like this!!
I'm so happy I'm not alone. I've been petrified of puking my whole life. I think it comes from a bad experience I had when I was 10 and barfed when we were on a field trip and out of the blue I puked in front of everyone. Pretty much since that time I've been terrified of doing that again. I'm 29 and lately it's been coupled with anxiety and my fear of eating in public and possibly getting sick. I wish I could find an end to this.
ALRIGHT ,,, MY SON IS NOW 7 YEARS OLD & STILL HAS THIS FEAR OF CHOKING. HE WILL NOT EAT ANYWHERE OR ANYTHING UNLESS I AM THERE TO ASSURE HIM THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO CHOKE. HE WILL HOLD FOOD IN HIS MOUTH UNTIL IT DISOLVES BEFORE SLOWLY SWALLOWING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO FOR HIM OTHER THAN CONTINUE TO ASSURE HIM THAT HE IS FINE & NOT GOING TO CHOAK ,,, SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE !!!
PATTY C.
My 6 year old grandson had a severe choking spell last week. He has not eaten anything since. He holds his salavia in his mouth and spits it out. He drinks some liquids but refuses to eat anything solid. He is afraid he will Choke again.
I hate this phobia soosososososo much! It's the main reason why I refuse to ride any roller-coasters! But, there is one good side to it... at least I rarely do get sick.
The odd thing is I also know someone with emetophobia, but then again, who doesn't?
I feel REALLY sorry for my friends, though, because once I go into a panic attack about someone getting sick, it's pretty hard to get me back out.
So don't feel alone, fellow emetophobics! A LOT of people suffer from this phobia!
Yes. Its the worst thing you can possibly be afraid of, because there is not a whole lot you can do to control it. I constantly worry about it, all day everyday. I stopped eating so that I wouldn't get sick, but I still feel bad, but not the bad I am afraid of. plus I've got a horrible anxiety disorder which doesn't help. If there is any kinda suggestions you could give please do.
Im a mother who has tried very hard to understand and support my daughter who has suffered from emetophobia since the age of 4, she is now 22. We didn't even know this phobia had a name until he was sixteen when my sister found information on line by chance. What really concerns me is how many family relationships break down between parents and children because in my experience my daughter felt that no one understood her. We seeked medical advice saw psychologists and therapists but the problm was always seen as some sort of eating disorder. I feel had I had the support as a parent whem my daughter was young I could have understood and supported her far more. I remember feeling angry, frightened frustrated etc etc I feel there needs to be education for parents as this is such a debilitating phobia that has far reaching concequenses on the whole family. My daughter is studying Psychology ( which has been difficult ) she recently had to tell her tutor she suffered from emetophobia and this is why she has missed so many lectures etc. They have ben supportive and have agreed that she can do her dissitation on Emetophobia. She wants to focus her research on more support and information for parents, teachers GPs therapists etc. Any feedback from other parents in particular who are struggling and eel advice, support would somehow help to understand what their child is going through would be much appreciated. Sorry this is so long its the first time I have ever written about something that has engulfed our daughter and our family.
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