What is Emetophobia?
What is Emetophobia? Emetophobia is a fear of vomiting and/or other people vomiting. It is widespread; it is one of the most common phobias for which people consult The Thrive Programme.
Research into emetophobia suggests that around 0.1 to 8.8% percent of the population (Hout & Bouman, 2011) have a fear of being sick. These different figures probably depend upon whether the researchers assessed participants for any sort of ‘fear’ of vomiting or solely focused upon a severe ‘phobia’. These prevalence figures suggest that somewhere between around 63,000 and 5.5 million people in the UK suffer from emetophobia.
Emetophobia Meaning
Emetophobia is known by many names (emetophobia, specific phobia of vomiting (SPOV), vomit phobia, sickness phobia, fear of vomiting…). It is associated with other fears and disorders, such as phagophobia (a fear of gagging, swallowing or choking), a fear of pregnancy, social anxiety and obsessional disorders such as OCD. People can fear vomiting themselves and/or others vomiting. Research suggests that 85-97% of emetophobes are women (Hout & Bouman, 2011; Lipsitz et al., 2001; Veale & Lambrou, 2006).
Emetophobia tends to be a severe symptom and often significantly affects the sufferer’s ability to lead a normal life. People with this fear often go to great lengths to avoid encountering anything that could expose them to vomit or lead to vomiting. They tend to avoid public transport. They may, for example, be teetotal or heavily limit their alcohol consumption and avoid pubs or clubs where others may drink heavily and then vomit. Sufferers may worry a great deal about hygiene, and be obsessive about cleanliness and sanitisation. They may take excessive time off work or school because they worry about being exposed to germs that will cause them to be sick, or the anxiety impacts their life so much they are unable to work. It is also common for emetophobes to be very careful about food preparation, taking excessive care to check use by dates and to ensure that food is cooked properly.
Many sufferers avoid dining out or eating food that has been prepared by others. Tocophobia, the fear or phobia of being or becoming pregnant, is another common problem for emetophobia sufferers, mainly to the worries about the morning sickness. As a result, many avoid becoming pregnant or terminate a pregnancy.
Those who do have children can become consumed by worry about them being ill. They may feel completely unable to look after their children when they are unwell. It can be a very serious and severe phobia, and is widely misunderstood. Sufferers are often afraid to share their fears with others for fear of being belittled or not understood, meaning it can be considered a 'secret phobia'.
Many emetophobes have unsuccessfully tried a range of treatments. Veale and Lambrou (2006), for example, found that twenty-nine percent of their sample of vomit phobics had received some form of therapy for their fear, which overall they rated as largely ineffective. Veale and Lambrou (2006, p. 139) have stated that “clinicians generally regard it as challenging to treat because of high drop out or a poor response to treatment.”
How Common is a Phobia of Being Sick?
Determining the exact prevalence of emetophobia, or the fear of vomiting, presents a challenge due to the absence of comprehensive large-scale surveys. Research conducted on emetophobia suggests a broad spectrum, with estimates ranging from 0.1% to 8.8% of the population experiencing this fear. The variance in these figures may stem from the methodology employed by researchers, with some focusing solely on severe phobias while others assess a broader spectrum including mere fear. Nonetheless, these figures imply that up to 30 million individuals in the United States alone grapple with emetophobia, a condition that often remains shrouded in secrecy and misunderstanding. Many sufferers feel ashamed to discuss their struggles openly or find themselves inadequately understood by others. Initiatives like our inaugural Emetophobia Awareness Day in 2014 seek to combat this lack of awareness through education and advocacy efforts.
Identifying Symptoms of Emetophobia
Distinguishing between a typical aversion to vomiting and a diagnosable phobia involves recognising distinct behavioural and psychological patterns. While most individuals naturally dislike vomiting but do not experience excessive anxiety when faced with it, those with emetophobia exhibit markedly different responses. For them, the prospect of vomiting or witnessing others vomit triggers intense anxiety, leading to a pervasive preoccupation with avoiding situations that could induce nausea or vomiting. This avoidance behaviour manifests in various forms, from meticulous hygiene practices to dietary restrictions centred around "safe" foods, often characterised by bland or beige options least likely to cause foodborne illness.
Individuals with emetophobia may resort to elaborate rituals or "safety-seeking" behaviours, such as compulsive checking of expiration dates or excessive cleaning of surfaces. Even the slightest hint of potential exposure to vomit can provoke overwhelming distress, leading to avoidance of social gatherings, school, travel, or medication with nausea-inducing side effects. Such avoidance behaviours can escalate, contributing to the development of comorbid conditions like eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and anxiety disorders (e.g., Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).
While the precise prevalence of emetophobia remains elusive, its impact on individuals' daily lives underscores the need for increased awareness and support. By understanding the distinct symptoms and challenges associated with this phobia, society can foster a more compassionate and inclusive environment for those affected. Through ongoing education and advocacy efforts, initiatives aim to destigmatise emetophobia and ensure that individuals receive the understanding and support they need to manage their condition effectively.
Getting Help
If you can relate to any of this, you're not alone! If you're interested in going through The Thrive Programme for Emetophobia, we have a breakdown of the options and how they work here.
