Definition: Emetophobia is a fear of vomiting and a moderately widespread but an under-researched mental disorder. Most emetophobes mainly fear themselves vomiting, although many as well have an extra phobia of others vomiting since they consider that this would place them at danger of getting sick themselves. However, only a minority of people with this fear only fear others vomiting.
Effects of emetophobia on sufferer’s lives
A fear of vomiting usually has a severe effect upon the lives of those suffering. Research studies have shown that individuals with emetophobia show impairments in many parts of their lives. Most engage in a variety of avoidance and safety-seeking behaviours in effort to stop themselves from vomiting, such as:
· Restricting their food
· Avoiding certain forms of transport
· Staying away from individuals who are sick
· Avoiding becoming pregnant
· Maintaining extreme high levels of cleanness and hygiene
Emetophobia usually begin in childhood. Research has shown that the disorder usually has a chronic path, with average duration of the fear above 20 years in most surveys participation. You can learn more about the thrive programme emetophobia at Kate Patterson’s website.
Overlap with other conditions
Scientists have distinguished that emetophobia exhibits similarity with several other disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety, health anxiety and panic disorder. For instance, those with social anxiety, most emetophobia victims worry that people will take them negatively in case they vomit. Moreover, most sufferers are more worried about throwing up in public unlike in private.
Like those with OCD, emetophobia sufferers usually show considerable obsession with their gastrointestinal condition and many get involved in rituals in an effort to avoid vomiting. In the case of panic disorder, those with a phobia of vomiting may face frequent panic attacks. In the case of health anxiety, most emetophobes also exhibit substantial concerns about their wellness, worrying about sicknesses that could lead to vomiting.
Suggested causal and maintaining factors
Studies show that most people with fear of vomiting have had aversive incidents of vomiting. They develop the fear after hospitalisation or following a gastrointestinal sickness. In order to maintain the factors, emetophobia sufferers get involved in avoidance behaviours.
Treatment of emetophobia
There have been minimal studies about treatment of emetophobia. However, there have been several reports about successful use of behavioural and cognitive techniques. There have been cases of using hypnosis to treat the disorder.
However, there has been development of a cognitive training programme known as The Thrive Programme. This programme has been designed to assist sufferers with a broad range of mental disorders. It also focuses to offer participants with a comprehension of how their restrictive ways of thinking and beliefs add to their symptoms. The Thrive Programme includes techniques and exercises intended to assist individuals to change these unfavourable ways of thinking. The programme aims in specific upon the individual’s sense of control, self-esteem and social anxiety, with the purpose of increasing internality, lowering social anxiety, plus improving self-esteem.