Fear Of Vomiting

Fear of throwing up in public, when it becomes problematic and extreme, is termed emetophobia. When fear of vomiting becomes a phobia, it persists no matter how irrational it may seem. Emetophobics may rarely vomit anywhere, yet the fear remains.

Emetophobia includes the following signs and symptoms:

• Avoidance of spicy or ethnic restaurants.

• Avoidance of alcohol.

• Avoiding any establishment that serves alcohol.

• Never eating in public.

• Avoiding dinner parties.

• Refusing to go to movies or sitting by the aisle at movies.

• Obsession with the freshness of food including expiration dates.

• Avoiding public transit.

• Fear of airplanes and motion sickness.

• Avoiding boat travel.

• Fear of pregnancy and morning sickness.

• Obsession with illness and avoidance of germs.

• Worrying excessively regarding food poisoning or the flu.

• Stocking up on mints or water for fear of vomiting.

Fear of vomiting is often triggered by a childhood incident that included vomiting. Over time, the fear of vomiting becomes more general and easier to trigger. Avoidance of any situation that might trigger vomiting becomes a habit. Avoiding vomiting triggers will take over an individual’s life. Fear of vomiting will become a heavy problem. Fear of vomiting causes the sufferer to make his or her world smaller and smaller.

Fear of vomiting is an emotional disorder that's technically referred to as a phobia. Phobias are irrational fears that begin as normal reactions to upsetting conditions. Over time the original fear begins to cause problems. A panic disorder will result when a phobia is left untreated. A panic disorder is characterized by recurring attacks of extreme fear.

A panic attack can look nearly exactly like a heart attack, although it's not life-threatening. Expensive medical tests should be run to rule out heart disease.

Speedy recovery from fear of vomiting is possible with early diagnosis and treatment. Fear of vomiting won’t go away without treatment, however recovery is not complex.

Recovery from fear of vomiting is typically fast once treatment begins, even if the condition has been a problem for a very long time.

Hypnotherapy is another useful treatment technique. Hypnotherapy helps the emetophobic remember the original trauma while in a state of deep relaxation. Calm is restored when the hypnotists releases the original trauma.

Emetophobia is also frequently treated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT lessens fear by changing how the emetophobic understands his or her perceptions and feelings.

CBT focuses on results and is usually a short course of therapy. Insurance companies often cover CBT because it is cost-effective and fast. CBT is affordable even when insurance isn't an option.

No one needs to suffer from fear of vomiting. Early treatment leads to a rapid cure. Severe cases turn around fast once treatment is sought.