The Truth Behind Fear Of Vomiting

Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting. It's can be a very debilitating condition that causes people to avoid certain foods and situations for fear of triggering an episode. But what exactly are the triggers, signs and symptoms of emetophobia? How should you go about treating it? Here are answers to your questions.

Website for magnesium-rich food

WANT TO START IN THERAPY? Here's a convenient and affordable option

For a monthly fee, you get a REAL licensed therapist with whom you can meet weekly by phone, video or chat. You can also send daily messages.

Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[OtavioFesoares]

If I feel like I'm going to puke, I'll automatically have a full on panic attack.

[elenavitkovska]

I remember reading that emetophobia is connected with fear of losing control over your body

[deborah]

I have this phobia and it can be debilitating at times. I would literally rather be stabbed than vomit, that’s how much it terrifies me.

[officiallyme]

The worst thing is when you’re scared of vomiting and the you get a panic attack that makes you nauseous

[saraha.dariva]

all the years I suffered with emetophobia taught me that I had to face some of these extreme fears to stop being restricted by them. eventually, I could hear the word "vomit" without having much anxiety, later I could watch a movie scene that involves throwing up without any panic attacks... I became more flexible when it came to eating out, and I started going to parties as well. the panic attacks decreased throughout the years, and today I can say that it gets a lot easier. don't ever lose hope, seek knowledge about it and put it into practice. you'll be okay!

[coyfish]

Crazy you put out this video today. My emetophobia was triggered today by someone getting sick while they were with me. I've been extremely anxious ever since. It's a very debilitating phobia that's hard to express to others. Most people don't understand and think you're just being dramatic. I've missed out on so many things because of it. I hope to be able to cope with it better someday.

[anabotero]

Emetophobia is really, really bad. I'm lucky that mine has decreased throughout yhe years, but when the fear feels imminent, oh, boy, it isn't pretty. It's very debilitating for the sufferer, but many people don't take very seriously...

[sweethope]

I never had a baby or wanted pregnancy because the thought of a woman's 1st trimester morning sickness and a baby vomiting the rest of my life made me go "nope" I'd rather have cat hairballs on a floor instead annnny day xD

[lilazzz]

One day in school I overheard that some girl vomited right before class, so we had to leave the room. The kids were all talking about it and it triggered a panic attack in me, which then led to daily panic attacks due to the agoraphobia that i developed. I was terrified of being in a classroom where there was no escape (or at the very least a trash can nearby) incase I felt like throwing up. It got to a point where I skipped school due to the anxiety. That was about 2 years ago, and now I feel slightly better when hearing the word and handling panic attacks in public spaces. It was such hell

[sherimcgill]

If you’re so nauseous you think you may vomit, put rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and sniff it until the nausea goes away. Works for me.

[tanya]

Working in Healthcare care, I've kind of overcame my fear of seeing others vomit, however, I'm still petrified to commit the act myself. I'm even afraid of getting pregnant for this exact reason.
Let's not even talk about if I get a stomach virus, I'd rather have diarrhea.

[madison]

This is awesome. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve struggled with this my entire life and always felt secluded.

[jennifergoncalo]

I have struggled with this for most of my life. It interferes with my daily life. I pay attention to every stomach sensation in order to decipher whether or not I’m going to be sick, which then leads to a full blown panic attack about getting sick. I avoid most social situations in fear of getting sick. When I’ve been around someone who has vomited I can’t bring myself to eat, I have panic attacks wondering if I’m going to be sick. My thoughts are consumed with my fear of vomiting even though I know this is not rational. I need help but don’t know who I should see or what type of therapy would be successful. I’m 58 and want to start living my life anxiety/ phobia free.

[ladybaabaa]

I fear vomiting to the point that if I feel nauseous and I worry I might have eaten something bad, I'll get a panic attack.

I have no problem seeing vomit in general or even smelling it, although obviously I'd much rather not! (Ironically, I have a strong stomach)

I just fear feeling SO horribly sick and then the terrible physical act of actually throwing up, plus the aftermath of muscle aches, shivers, fever, exhaustion and general horrible illness for the following days.

I check expiration dates, I smell milk and any dairy...the other day I went to open what I thought was a new bottle of peach iced tea, only to find it was already open. It wasn't quite full. I didn't recall opening it, even though I might have. I was too paranoid to drink it, in case someone at the supermarket had opened it and taken a sip, a week ago even, and the tea was germed or stale and rancid.

However, I'll often eat raw food (sushi), and I eat out a lot, without much concern.

[claudiaalexander]

When I say.. You are sent from Heaven 💜💜💜💜

[faraleakyfaucet]

I relate to everyone in the comments, in my way or another. I thought I was the only one with this phobia unti later on in life and the internet was invented. 😆

Incredible, how the brain works against us... best wishes for everyone. I've lived with this freaking phobia for 46 years..I'm 50 now.

Dr.MARKS IS 👏

[rachelk]

I struggle with emetophobia daily so I'm so thankful you covered this topic. I wish people that didn't suffer with it could understand how awful it is! Thanks so much for all your awesome videos ❤

[xtrastrengthsassx]

SO psyched to see a video on this! Emetophobia has legit ruined parts of my life already. It’s not AS severe now, but can still ruin my day if something triggering happens. I can’t watch or listen to someone else be sick. There’s just this primal fear….I can understand why some would rather die than to vomit.

[Jemreadsmonsters]

I have struggled with emetophobia all my life. Then was diagnosed with gastroparesis after becoming very ill. Which is basically a disease tailor made to ruin an emetophobes life.

[NullPointerException]

I'm so glad you did a video on this. I'm very emetophobic and have been my entire life. For me it comes from a fear of a loss of control, and the fact that whenever I vomit it's always because I'm severely sick. Some people puke at small stuff like seeing something gross on tv. They puke once and it's done.

With me though I rarely vomit. The last time I vomited it was because I had intestinal damage that landed me in the hospital. Before that it was because I had surgery complications and almost lost my life. Before that it was because I had a virus and was vomiting so much I was dehydrated, again, needing to go to the hospital.

Because I don't vomit unless something is seriously wrong, I think my brain has made this association between nausea and 'I'm in danger/I'm going to die'