Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping

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Table of Contents

Definition

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

Emetophobiais an extreme and irrational fear of vomiting. It’s considered rare though more likely to occur in females.Sometimes called specific phobia of vomiting (SPOV), its symptoms are similar to those experienced with apanic attack. includingrapid heart rate,tremors, and feeling dizzy.

People exhibiting thisphobiamay avoid foods they fear will make them sick, social events, or travel. While this condition may be an unlikely one to have, it may be important to recognize the signs and symptoms of emetophobia and the way it may affect your day-to-day life.

This article will help you to understand emetophobia, its causes, and who may be at risk. It discusses treatment and ways of coping with emetophobia.

A person sits at a table with food and looks upset (What to Know about Emetophobia)

Emetophobia is an intense and irrational fear of vomiting. Studies show about half of people diagnosed with SPOV primarily fear vomiting themselves, while about a third fear feeling nauseous or vomiting if they witness someone else who vomited.

Those with emetophobia may go out of their way to avoid activities or situations that may result in vomiting, such as drinking alcohol or taking public transit (to avoid motion sickness). They also may be more likely to respond to smells they fear will make them sick, or specific settings like dental offices where care may make them more likely to gag.

Specific Phobias

List of Common and Unusual Phobias

Emetophobia may present as a variety of symptoms and certain behaviors.

These may include avoiding the following:

People with emetophobia may experience a range of physical symptoms including panic attacks. This may include symptoms like:

People with phobias are not always formally diagnosed. Some people with phobias like emetophobia are aware they have an irratinoal fear, yet they choose to live their life with their phobia. Some studies have shown people with SPOV even fear certain treatments, likeexposure therapy.

In some cases, SPOV is hard to diagnose because of similar or co-occurring health conditions. They can include:

However, avoidance can be counterproductive and make phobias worse. A diagnosis may be a helpful starting point for treatment.

To reach a formal diagnosis of emetophobia, a healthcare provider will consult the diagnostic criteria outlined in the fifth edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5).

How Phobia Is Diagnosed

Phobias like emetophobia don’t often have a singular cause. Typically, a number of factors can contribute to the development of a phobia, which often emerges at an early age.

These factors can include:

Genetics also may play a role in phobia development. It is believed some people are born with a genetic susceptibility to developing mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and phobias.

Genetic Predisposition and What It Means

If those with emetophobia don’t receive treatment, their fear is likely to persist.

Possible treatment options include:

Exposure therapy is considered a preferred treatment, often in combination withrelaxation techniques. In some cases, people may need treatment for conditions related to their SPOV. For example,dehydrationdue to the vomiting can be treated with fluid intake.

Emetophobia can feel all-consuming, and it may interfere with daily life. Researchers report that 9% of people say that SPOV has interfered with school and 20% have left work because of it.

In addition to the treatment strategies outlined above, there are steps you can take to help cope with a fear of vomiting. Some coping andmindfulnessstrategies to try include the following:

How to Overcome Any Phobia

Summary

Emetophobia (SPOV) is an irrational and intense fear of vomiting. Those with emetophobia experience extreme levels of distress in the presence of vomit and may fear the anticipation of vomiting.

They may go to great lengths to avoid situations that could result in vomiting, like drinking alcohol, taking public transit, or flying. Emetophobia can be difficult to treat, but treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, and exposure therapies.

If you are struggling due to emetophobia, consider reaching out to a mental health professional to learn more about the condition and how to improve your symptoms.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Keyes A, Gilpin HR, Veale D.Phenomenology, epidemiology, co-morbidity and treatment of a specific phobia of vomiting: A systematic review of an understudied disorder.Clin Psychol Rev. 2018 Mar;60:15-31. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.12.002.Uziel N, Gilon E, Bar I, Edri N, Eli I.Excessive Gag Reflex, Dental Anxiety, and Phobia of Vomiting in Dental Care.Int Dent J. 2024 Jan 15:S0020-6539(23)00982-6. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.12.002.American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.International OCD Foundation.Emetophobia: Fear of Vomiting as an Expression of OCD.NHS.Symptoms - phobias.NHS.Overview - Phobias.Maack DJ, Ebesutani C, Smitherman TA.Psychometric investigation of the specific phobia of vomiting inventory: A new factor model.Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2018;27(1):e1574.Mental Health UK.Causes of phobias.Perelman School of Medicine.Specific phobias.Kannappan A, Middleman AB.Emetophobia: A case of nausea leading to dehydration in an adolescent female.SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2020 Aug 17;8:2050313X20951335. doi:10.1177/2050313X20951335.NHS InformTen ways to fight your fears.

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Keyes A, Gilpin HR, Veale D.Phenomenology, epidemiology, co-morbidity and treatment of a specific phobia of vomiting: A systematic review of an understudied disorder.Clin Psychol Rev. 2018 Mar;60:15-31. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.12.002.Uziel N, Gilon E, Bar I, Edri N, Eli I.Excessive Gag Reflex, Dental Anxiety, and Phobia of Vomiting in Dental Care.Int Dent J. 2024 Jan 15:S0020-6539(23)00982-6. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.12.002.American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.International OCD Foundation.Emetophobia: Fear of Vomiting as an Expression of OCD.NHS.Symptoms - phobias.NHS.Overview - Phobias.Maack DJ, Ebesutani C, Smitherman TA.Psychometric investigation of the specific phobia of vomiting inventory: A new factor model.Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2018;27(1):e1574.Mental Health UK.Causes of phobias.Perelman School of Medicine.Specific phobias.Kannappan A, Middleman AB.Emetophobia: A case of nausea leading to dehydration in an adolescent female.SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2020 Aug 17;8:2050313X20951335. doi:10.1177/2050313X20951335.NHS InformTen ways to fight your fears.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Keyes A, Gilpin HR, Veale D.Phenomenology, epidemiology, co-morbidity and treatment of a specific phobia of vomiting: A systematic review of an understudied disorder.Clin Psychol Rev. 2018 Mar;60:15-31. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.12.002.Uziel N, Gilon E, Bar I, Edri N, Eli I.Excessive Gag Reflex, Dental Anxiety, and Phobia of Vomiting in Dental Care.Int Dent J. 2024 Jan 15:S0020-6539(23)00982-6. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.12.002.American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.International OCD Foundation.Emetophobia: Fear of Vomiting as an Expression of OCD.NHS.Symptoms - phobias.NHS.Overview - Phobias.Maack DJ, Ebesutani C, Smitherman TA.Psychometric investigation of the specific phobia of vomiting inventory: A new factor model.Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2018;27(1):e1574.Mental Health UK.Causes of phobias.Perelman School of Medicine.Specific phobias.Kannappan A, Middleman AB.Emetophobia: A case of nausea leading to dehydration in an adolescent female.SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2020 Aug 17;8:2050313X20951335. doi:10.1177/2050313X20951335.NHS InformTen ways to fight your fears.

Keyes A, Gilpin HR, Veale D.Phenomenology, epidemiology, co-morbidity and treatment of a specific phobia of vomiting: A systematic review of an understudied disorder.Clin Psychol Rev. 2018 Mar;60:15-31. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.12.002.

Uziel N, Gilon E, Bar I, Edri N, Eli I.Excessive Gag Reflex, Dental Anxiety, and Phobia of Vomiting in Dental Care.Int Dent J. 2024 Jan 15:S0020-6539(23)00982-6. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.12.002.

American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.

International OCD Foundation.Emetophobia: Fear of Vomiting as an Expression of OCD.

NHS.Symptoms - phobias.

NHS.Overview - Phobias.

Maack DJ, Ebesutani C, Smitherman TA.Psychometric investigation of the specific phobia of vomiting inventory: A new factor model.Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2018;27(1):e1574.

Mental Health UK.Causes of phobias.

Perelman School of Medicine.Specific phobias.

Kannappan A, Middleman AB.Emetophobia: A case of nausea leading to dehydration in an adolescent female.SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2020 Aug 17;8:2050313X20951335. doi:10.1177/2050313X20951335.

NHS InformTen ways to fight your fears.

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