Emetophobia is a medical condition wherein an individual has an unreasonable and illogical fear of vomit. In fact, the phobia can get in the way of various normal functions of everyday life.
Symptoms of Emetophobia
- Fear of vomiting in public
- Fear of seeing vomit
- Great fear of experiencing nausea and vomiting.
- The intensity of the fear varies from individual to individual. Some people are affected when they come across a stimulus that is linked to the phobia. Whilst for others, there does not need to be a definite trigger, it is a problem all the time.
- The condition tends to get in the way of a number of activities that may not be avoidable. Some people avoid traveling by sea or air or do not go to a hilly area or avoid being around babies or never eat out.
- The individual is perpetually apprehensive about how embarrassing it would be if he vomited in front of others.
- People suffering from emetophobia are not capable of having a career in which vomiting may occur, like, nursing.
- They fear regular contact with babies and children in nurseries and schools.
- Emetophobes are apprehensive about eating at restaurants because of the poor hygiene and subsequent food poisoning and vomiting.
- They can never be around people who are sick. Anxiety levels rise when a family member / friend fall sick, more so, if the disorder may produce vomiting
- They fear and avoid traveling, fear of unhygienic food and motion sickness being the primary cause.
Fear of Vomiting Cure
Treatment for emetophobia requires a multi-disciplinary approach. The following guidelines are decidedly beneficial:
- Experts say going in for regular sessions of pranayama or controlled breathing helps tackle emetophobia successfully. Breathing exercises calm the mind and the body, and help combat the symptoms effectively.
- Certain individuals need to be given anti-emetics, anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety drugs for emetophobia treatment.
- Systematic desensitization is a technique used by most health care professionals for fear of vomiting treatment. The individual is exposed to the phobia, for e.g. he is made to watch pictures or movies of other people vomiting. It is recommended that you visit a psycho-therapist to prevent greater difficulties.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and hypnosis are other highly effective management techniques for emetophobia.
- The patient needs to be very gradually de-senstized, by slowly exposing him to pictures of vomit and people vomiting, with the associated sounds.
- Anti-emetics may be used in the therapy sometimes. They are anti-sickness drugs. These diminish the manifestations of the phobia, but do not cure.
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is highly recommended to effectively treat the condition. The therapist / counselor try to ascertain and understand the thoughts behind emetophobia and what causes it.
- Hypnotherapy is another successful treatment option. It aids in relaxation, building confidence, and decreasing anxiety levels in the patient. Hypnotherapy is soothing and relaxing and helps banish fear and apprehension.