Someone Being Sick ? Emetophobes have a fear of being sick themselves, or seeing someone vomiting.

Most sufferers of emetophobia predominantly fear themselves being sick (vomiting) but many also fear someone throwing up around or near to them.  If someone is being sick near them, they tend to feel very out of control and panic. They then perform safety-seeking or avoidance behaviors in order to escape from the situation.

Why fear someone throwing up?

It's understandable why people don't like being sick (who does like being sick?) - it's not very nice! Most people put up with the unpleasant experience though...  Emetophobia - much like any other phobia - isn't actually about being sick, it's about feeling out of control emotionally.  An external locus of control plays a large factor in any phobia, but is particularly important in emetophobia. Other factors that help create this fear are: high social anxiety, perfectionism, 'disgust propensity', and low self-esteem.  Have a read of our emetophobia quiz and see how much you know!

So why fear someone else being sick?  Well, you can develop the 'skills' to control your own body and emotions, but you still can't control other peoples'.... if other people are being sick, then you might catch it! So emetophobes sometimes fear other people vomiting.

Find out more about the Cure Your Emetophobia and Thrive Programme

Read the emetophobia glossary of terms

Locate a licensed Thrive Programme Coach to help you work through the book, or if you'd rather work through it solo you can purchase the books from our shop.