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Emetophobia Treatment and Free Test: Overcome the Fear of Vomiting with Specialist Online Therapy

Discover whether you have Emetophobia with our free test and find effective, evidence-based online treatments including CBT, ERP, EMDR, ACT, and CFT.

What is Emetophobia?

“Emetophobia is a condition where an individual fears vomiting or others vomiting (both commonly both). Emetophobia is a real and treatable problem.” David Veale.

Are you wondering if your fear of vomiting might be Emetophobia?

Take our free online test to discover whether your symptoms fit with Emetophobia and gain insight into the severity of your fear. The test is quick, confidential, and designed to help you better understand your experiences — an important first step towards seeking the right support and treatment.

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A person may regularly feel sick but not actually be sick. It may become a preoccupation and the only thing you think about. It is often linked to a fear that you will lose control, become very ill or that others will find you repulsive.

As a result you try too hard to avoid a wide range of situations or activities that you might believe might increase risk of vomiting.

Things you might avoid if you have Emetophobia could include;

Being near drunks / people who have drunk a lot
Going on a fairground ride
Being near people who are ill
Travelling by boat
Going on holidays abroad
Travelling by aeroplane
Drinking alcohol
Going into crowded places
Using public transport
Eating certain foods

Some people with vomit phobia have avoided general anaesthetic for surgery.

Many women with phobia of vomiting have avoided getting pregnant or terminated a pregnancy.

Women with babies might experience a great deal of distress about their child vomiting.

Other behaviours you might notice include;

You might excessively check the sell-by date of foods in a shop or eat only small amounts of food
You might be excessive hygienic
Check the health of yourself & others
Use superstitious behaviours
Seek reassurance about whether others are ill or could be sick
Excessively clean the kitchen area
If you think you are going to vomit, you might look for an escape route
Try to keep tight control of your behaviour
Take anti-nausea medication or suck a sweet

All the above behaviours are called “safety seeking behaviours” and maintain your fear as you never find out whether you need to use them or not and increase your fear.
If these problems ring a bell for you or a loved one, maybe its time to get help. My Therapist online has lots of Emetophobia specialist therapists ,we can put you in touch with.

When does a concern with vomiting become a phobia?

Many people are fearful of vomiting to some degree, but to be diagnosed with a specific phobia of vomiting (this is the official title) it must be significantly distressing or have an effect on your life. For example, it may interfere with an important relationship or your social life or work.

What causes Emetophobia?

There is so far limited research into the cause of Emetophobia, but there are lots of specialists (inclusing Professor David Veale and his team of experts at the Anxiety Disorders Services in South London) working hard to expand the evidence base. Causes of Emetophobia are thought to be a mixture of psychological and biological. There is also thought to be a genetic influence. It is a phobia that usually develops in childhood, sometimes after a bad experience of vomiting.

Once a phobia develops it is maintained by the way you avoid anything linked to vomiting and maintain a constant state of preparedness, preoccupation, safety seeking behaviours and avoidance. Emetophobia is much more likely to occur in women.

What is the best treatment for Emetophobia?

The most effective treatment for Emetophobia often includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as part of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). When integrated with other evidence-based therapies, this approach can help individuals gradually overcome their fear of vomiting and feel more confident and in control.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It is one of the most well-established treatments for Emetophobia and aims to help individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and avoidance behaviours that maintain their fear.

CBT for Emetophobia often includes techniques such as:

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): This involves gradually and safely confronting feared situations or sensations related to vomiting. The therapist works collaboratively with the client to design a graded exposure plan that helps them test out feared predictions and reduce safety or avoidance behaviours. Over time, this helps retrain the brain to respond more calmly and flexibly, reducing anxiety and fear responses.
Cognitive Restructuring: Individuals learn to identify and challenge distressing or exaggerated thoughts about vomiting, replacing them with more balanced and realistic perspectives.

Through CBT and ERP, facing fears becomes more manageable, and the associated anxiety naturally decreases with practice and support.

Imagery Re-scripting

Imagery Re-scripting is a therapeutic technique often used alongside CBT. It helps individuals revisit and reimagine distressing memories or mental images linked to their fear of vomiting. With the guidance of a therapist, the person is supported to change the way these memories are experienced and understood. This process can reduce the emotional intensity of the memory and build a greater sense of safety and control in the present. Imagery Rescripting can be particularly helpful when early experiences or vivid images play a key role in maintaining Emetophobia.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another effective treatment for Emetophobia, particularly when the fear is connected to past distressing experiences of illness or vomiting. EMDR helps individuals process and reframe these experiences using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation (such as tapping or alternating sounds).

Therapists must be trained and qualified to deliver EMDR, and it can be adapted for online therapy. The goal is to reduce the emotional impact of the memory and to enable a more adaptive and less fearful response in the present.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third-wave cognitive behavioural approach that encourages individuals to make space for uncomfortable thoughts and feelings about vomiting, rather than trying to eliminate or control them. ACT focuses on helping people live a full and meaningful life guided by their values, even in the presence of anxiety or fear.

ACT uses mindfulness-based strategies and values-driven action to build psychological flexibility—learning to respond to fear with openness and self-compassion rather than avoidance or struggle.

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) can also be beneficial, especially for individuals who experience high levels of self-criticism, shame, or guilt related to their fear or avoidance. CFT aims to help individuals cultivate self-compassion, strengthen their soothing system, and develop a kinder and more understanding relationship with themselves.

By focusing on the emotional systems that drive anxiety and fear, CFT supports people in reducing self-judgement and building the courage to face their fears with compassion and care.

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Recommended Emetophobia resources

Best Book

David Veale and Alexandra Keyes new self help book called Free yourself from Emetophobia: A CBT self-help guide for a fear of vomiting.

Most Trusted Website for Emetophobia
Our director Lisa Johnston is a trustee of a new charity with David called Emetophobia Action. Emet action is the first Emetophobia charity aimed at educating, supporting and giving hope to individuals who have a specific phobia of vomiting. Emet Action aims to promote awareness, best practices and offer support to those who suffer from Emetophobia.

Podcasts
BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour interview: Treating Emetophobia. BBC Radio 4’s Jane Garvey highlights the challenge of parenting with Emetophobia. She speaks to a mum (Lucy Burton) about how she copes with Emetophobia and Professor David Veale about treatment. This was broadcast on 19th February 2020.
Understanding Emetophobia: Living with a fear of sick by Chantele Hodson, featuring our Director - Lisa Johnston.

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