Fear & Phobia – Emetophobia

When one of my fellow students asked me during my studies why I had chosen this particular subject, I had to think about it for a moment. This was my answer:

On the one hand, because this phobia is relatively unknown, there isn’t much information available in Dutch, and the barriers it creates in daily life can be quite extreme. On the other hand, because I am considering specialising in treating clients with irrational fears and phobias. 

I personally do not suffer from emetophobia, but like everyone, I have my own fears—specifically, the fear of being left alone, the fear of loneliness. And perhaps that is where the basis for my thesis topic lies. From my perspective, a phobia or irrational fear is a very isolating experience. Often, such fears are not understood by those around you, or are even laughed off. You receive well-meaning advice along the lines of ‘You know what you should do,’ and so forth. Your phobia isolates you, depriving you of the freedom to make certain choices. My goal is to enable all my clients to experience the freedom of having choices. To move beyond that fear/phobia, beyond the coping mechanisms (often avoidance and safety behaviours).

In my practical research, I applied a combination of various techniques/therapy methods within or related to hypnotherapy to a limited group, and we have largely managed to overcome the debilitating phobia.

Overcoming emetophobia!

One of the participants now feels so liberated that she is going to backpack through South America for six months, and even a boat trip on the open sea no longer holds her back. She accepts that she might become ill. I consider this a cure for the phobia. A photo of her journey is on the cover of my thesis.

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Emetophobia arises when vomiting becomes associated with fear. This can happen due to:

1. A frightening experience with vomiting. This could be from personally having vomited or felt nauseous in childhood (around the age of nine or younger), which was perceived as scary, or from witnessing a family member who vomited frequently or suddenly became ill.

2. A distressing situation in which vomiting (coincidentally) occurs.

This might happen during a stressful and intense period where one feels out of control, such as during a sleepover when feeling homesick, taking an exam, or experiencing parents' divorce. Other examples include a hospital stay, tonsillectomy (pain, spitting up blood, nausea from anesthesia). Intense feelings may then become associated with vomiting instead of the actual cause. Although vomiting is not the central issue, it becomes linked to fear.

3. Experiences of others. 

If one of the parents became anxious when the child had to vomit in the past, this can leave a strong impression. The reaction can then be mimicked. Sometimes, the fear only surfaces due to an event that occurs months or even years later.

4. Physical predisposition.

Some people are more prone to anxiety than others and may develop an anxiety disorder more readily. Genetics can play a role in this. Sensitivity to disgust can also be a contributing factor.

Emetophobia can have far-reaching consequences, especially since the fear often underlies decisions such as which career to pursue, whether or not to have children, going out, what to eat, and so on.

Family, Environment, and Career

People with emetophobia often avoid situations where alcohol is consumed, focus excessively on expiration dates, and worry about nausea or stomach flu in others. Sometimes, they even avoid getting pregnant. There is often a sense of shame associated with this phobia. The lack of understanding or the barrage of unsolicited advice can make the person with emetophobia feel misunderstood and very isolated, as if they don't belong.

Choosing a career in healthcare is often avoided, but other professions may also be shunned. For instance, one of my clients wanted to work in childcare but did not pursue it due to her fear of vomiting children and becoming sick herself. For students, attending school can be challenging; the bus ride, classroom, or lecture hall can sometimes be problematic.