by Dr. Lindsay Kramer, psychotherapist and staff writer at The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
www.KickFear.com
Emetophobia is a word that most of us are unlikely to have encountered. Precisely defined, it is the fear of throwing up. Expanded, this can include a fear of vomiting in public, a fear of seeing vomit, a fear of witnessing another person vomit, or a fear of being nauseated. Although Emetophobia is not as recognized as, say Agoraphobia or Claustrophobia, it has been stated by the International Emetophobia Society to be the fifth most common phobia. In fact, one article states that a search of the phrase “fear of being sick” discovered nearly 29 million websites. So let’s talk in detail of how this fear of throwing up develops, the effects it can have on a person, and how it can be treated.
www.KickFear.com
Emetophobia is a word that most of us are unlikely to have encountered. Precisely defined, it is the fear of throwing up. Expanded, this can include a fear of vomiting in public, a fear of seeing vomit, a fear of witnessing another person vomit, or a fear of being nauseated. Although Emetophobia is not as recognized as, say Agoraphobia or Claustrophobia, it has been stated by the International Emetophobia Society to be the fifth most common phobia. In fact, one article states that a search of the phrase “fear of being sick” discovered nearly 29 million websites. So let’s talk in detail of how this fear of throwing up develops, the effects it can have on a person, and how it can be treated.
Emetophobia affects predominantly females,
although it can also be present in males.
It is found more acutely in adolescent populations; however, recent
research has indicated an increase among adult populations as well. Like most phobias, the fear of vomiting
is most likely linked with a traumatic experience (in this case, one of
throwing up). It has also been
connected to a person having witnessed a family member or a friend being sick
or hospitalized.
A person suffering from Emetophobia can
experience severe limitations in his or her daily life. Similar to Panic disorder, there is a
repetitive cycle that occurs in Emetophobics. First, there is some sort of anxiety trigger related to
vomiting. This could be a friend
getting the flu, watching someone vomit on TV or a feeling of being full after
a meal. This trigger brings up
thoughts of vomiting, and the person begins to “check” his or her body for
signs of nausea, stomachache, etc.
Then the phobia phase takes over and the person engages in behaviors to
rid him or herself of the anxiety.
For instance, they might leave work early or avoid eating to prevent any
chance of throwing up. This cycle
(fear, anticipation, looking for signs of trouble, and chronic avoidance) tends
to characterize the life of an Emetophobic.
Now, since chronic avoidance is a key element
in the phobia of throwing up, Emetophobics can become severely disabled in
their lives. It is not uncommon
for someone suffering from this phobia to avoid restaurants, hospitals, public
places, and contact with anyone they might believe to be ill. Female Emetophobics have also been known
to avoid getting pregnant for fear of morning sickness. These efforts to protect against
vomiting can imprison a person inside their own fears.
Emetophobia can be successfully treated with
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This
type of therapy involves gradual exposure to the fear, which in this case,
would be vomiting. This is not to
say that an anxiety doctor would require the person in treatment to vomit;
rather, it is intended that the person practice with situations, objects, and
activities that they fear would lead them to throw up. In other words, anxiety treatment would
focus on gradual exposure to that which the person has been avoiding. Anxiety doctors work to reduce the fears associated with vomiting, and re-engage the person in activities that are
important to them.
I hope that this blog provides a clear
understanding of Emetophobia. It
can have devastating effects on a person’s life, but proper treatment and a trained
anxiety doctor can ensure that one leads a healthy and normal life.
All the best,
DR. KRAMER
from The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
P. S. Don't forget to sign up for our anxiety newsletter on our website's home page where you'll receive free anxiety tips!
____________________________________________________________________________________
All the best,
DR. KRAMER
from The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
P. S. Don't forget to sign up for our anxiety newsletter on our website's home page where you'll receive free anxiety tips!
____________________________________________________________________________________
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