Vomit Phobia – Fear of Vomiting (Emetophobia)

Posted by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D. in Agoraphobia, Health Anxiety, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Panic, Phobias, School Refusal, Social Anxiety Flu season will be quickly upon us and with it comes an unfortunate increase in the likelihood of experiencing fevers, coughs, runny noses, vomiting, and the like. Although no one enjoys being sick, this time of year poses particular challenges for individuals suffering from “vomit phobia”, or emetophobia, the fear of throwing up. The fear of vomiting can affect individuals of all ages. It sometimes emerges in childhood and, if untreated, may follow a relatively chronic course. However, it can also develop well into adulthood, sometimes taking root after a negative health experience (e.g., after getting food poisoning or after experiencing an episode of severe or uncontrolled vomiting). Vomit Phobia in Children and Teens Consequences associated with the fear of throwing up can be extreme. In children, vomit phobia can lead to school refusal and avoidance. Academic performance may suffer, and children may miss out on certain developmentally important social milestones. If a child or teenager is afraid of getting nauseous or throwing up, he or she may avoid birthday parties, sleepovers, dating, and eating out at restaurants. Missing out on these activities can affect relationships and impact social development, which may lead to chronic social impairments. Even when longstanding social problems do not develop, children with vomit phobia still experience a great deal of unhappiness, fear, anxiety, and distress. Fear of Vomiting in Adults Adults with the fear of vomiting may also be significantly impaired by their symptoms. They may have more absences from work and may avoid work-related travel, which can affect opportunities for advancement. They will often dread meetings, during which they may feel trapped and uncomfortable, and may avoid certain job responsibilities like public-speaking or presenting.  This can leave otherwise bright and capable individuals stagnating in jobs that are beneath their true capabilities. Vomit phobia also affects travel for leisure and dining out, and can wreak havoc on romantic relationships. Women with the fear of vomiting may experience extreme distress at the thought of becoming pregnant and experiencing morning sickness. Women with the fear of morning sickness may delay starting families, and some may choose to never have children at all due to the fear of recurrent vomiting during pregnancy. Clearly, this can have profound and lasting effects on one’s life. What is Emetophobia? Emetophobia is defined as an excessive or irrational fear about the act, or possibility, of vomiting. However, this relatively straightforward definition...
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Agoraphobia – Symptom Attacks, Triggers, Panic, & Avoidance Behaviors

Posted by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D. in Agoraphobia, Panic Let’s dispel a common misconception about agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is not a fear of the outdoors. Many people mistakenly believe this myth, due to the word’s Latin roots.  Because agoraphobia can be broken down into the roots agora (“marketplace”) and phobia (“fear of”), many people assume that agoraphobia is a “fear of the marketplace” or a fear of being in wide open spaces. What is agoraphobia? However, this literal interpretation is different than what psychologists mean when they use the term agoraphobia. Clinical psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists conceptualize agoraphobia as a fear of experiencing physical symptom attacks in certain types of situations (Zuercher-White & Pollard, 2003). Symptom attacks include full-blown panic attacks, limited symptom panic attacks (sweating, dizziness, disorientation, difficulty breathing. heart pounding, nausea), diarrhea, other gastrointestinal (GI) issues, vomiting, headaches, and feelings of dissociation, depersonalization, or derealization. Agoraphobia-related Situations The fear of having a physical symptom attack is often strongest in certain types of situations (Zuercher-White & Pollard, 2003), including those in which: Your symptoms might be embarrassing or are likely to be noticed by others. Escape is difficult or impossible. Help is not readily available. Restrooms are inaccessible (or not private). You have little personal control over the environment. Agoraphobia-related Avoidance Behaviors Fear of symptom attacks then contributes to avoidance behaviors and significant changes in one’s daily routine (Zuercher-White & Pollard, 2003). These changes might include: Shopping at odd times (e.g., going to the store after midnight to avoid crowds or getting stuck in a checkout lane). Avoiding concerts, fairs, and other loud, chaotic gatherings. Avoiding lines at stores and theme parks. Avoiding driving (especially on highways and freeways that are prone to traffic/accidents and/or have limited exit ramps). (Note: Sometimes individuals think they have a “fear of driving” but the underlying condition is actually panic or agoraphobia.) Avoiding small social gatherings where others might notice one’s physical symptoms. Avoiding spontaneous, unplanned activities that might seem unpredictable and uncontrollable. Avoiding interactions with authority figures or people whose impressions are important (e.g., bosses, superiors). Avoiding certain foods to prevent GI problems (e.g., not eating spicy foods, Mexican foods, dairy). Avoiding caffeine (coffee, soda) or alcohol because of potential physical symptoms. Avoiding airplanes/flights, trains, roller coasters, subways, buses, boats, taxi cabs, and most forms of public transportation. Avoiding eating unfamiliar foods or in unfamiliar restaurants. Over-planning activities (i.e., planning escape routes, planning excuses to make if one has to leave an activity...
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