Emetophobia? Simple & Easy Tips To Overcome Your Fear of Vomiting I The Speakmans

Emetophobia is a phobia of vomit, which can incorporate or lead to extreme anxiety, OCD, hypochondria, agoraphobia, misophonia, fear of people, germs, viruses, norovirus and travel.
Due to the extreme need to implement contingencies and rituals to avoid the possibility of sickness at all costs, this phobia can totally consume a sufferer's life. If willing to commit, watching this video numerous times and actioning the tips suggested can also help you if you are suffering.
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[@darkrose2199]

Emetophobia can lead to suicide, eating disorders, depression..

[@Nik-pr7ox]

Dark Rose That's true, Emetophobia gave me my depression and suicidal thoughts and gave me a fear of food (so basically, a very weird eating disorder) kinda sucks people underestimate Emetophobia

[@ghosty9893]

Dark Rose really?!?!? Cuz I only just came down with binge eating disorder... Then I’m suicidal asf

[@millymcleod5572]

i know i went through almost all of that :(

[@Jepegish]

any phobia can lead to suicide

[@dakady4180]

@@Nik-pr7ox how are you doing now?

[@beanman9693]

The feeling of nausea or indigestion brings on a panic attack for me. It's so difficult to address, but I've learned how to identify the mental symptoms before the panic attack (even though I'll still usually get a panic attack). Thanks for your video! It feels validating to know I'm not alone.

[@ameliaelizaax2895]

It's more about me being ill than other people around me, like of course when others are I go shaking and feel horrible but it's much worse if it's me

[@Genny-oh7zn]

I want to do therapy but my parents think it's silly and not a real fear

[@Emisia13]

same here, my parents never support me and always say that this fear is just funny and i shouldn't be scared of something that's normal..

[@healinginafricamymentalhea7692]

me too

[@dominicbonacci9757]

Show them the comments

[@dakady4180]

@@Emisia13 how are you doing now?

[@explorousu.k.7809]

That must be awful :'( i feel so sorry for you. Stay true to you! You be there for yourself if nobody is willing and find online support groups. We will get through this together sweetheart.

[@TheRealMissAnxiety]

I absolutely LOVED this video. Emetophobia is nothing to be ashamed of. I am in therapy for emetophobia, GAD, Anorexia and Depression. It's the best thing I've ever done - things CAN get better. x

[@raspeth]

Thank you for the honesty and the positive news!

[@CupcakeChanny]

Miss Anxiety hi, I know this comment was made a while ago but I wanted to see how you went with your therapy. Do you still have emetophobia?

[@carsynkettner9138]

How can I forget about my throwing up experience from 4 years ago? I remember every single detail of the entire day. Whenever I get one of those symptoms I freak out and start to make myself feel worse. I just want to feel normal.

[@marklieberman1527]

I do the same thing man. My emetophobia developed from a particularly violent stomach bug when i was very young. It went through my entire family and it was a truly traumatizing experience and somehow I remember every detail of the night almost a decade ago. Any time I have any GI symptom i freak out and get anxious. Having a supportive and loving girlfriend who happens to suffer from IBS helps normalize it for me. She is no stranger to vomiting and GI issues so she is always there for me with her love as well as her experience. I like to think that she is making vomiting a more “normal” thing for me (even though I still havent done it in a decade) because it is closer to home.

[@Karipatron]

This is me

[@lucyalexandra.]

Me too, I remember the food I ate and the clothes I wore, which makes me avoid those things and really restricts my life and that sucks

[@loopsvideoloops]

I know me too. Mine started when I was 14 when I saw someone vomit a bunch on pavement. 😝 I'm 35 it still in my head.

[@loopsvideoloops]

I run from people coughing uncontrollably or cover ears.

[@watergirl929]

I had a severe fear of vomiting as a kid. Anytime I had a stomachache I would worry so much. Even the tiniest pain. If I heard anyone around me threw up I isolated myself to my room. And I couldn’t bare to watch puking scenes on tv. I overcame the fear when I got to my teen years. I overcame it when I came to understand that it’s actually a good thing because it’s the body’s way of flushing out toxins or other stuff that shouldn’t be there. Puking is just my body trying to help me! And I have a severe anxiety disorder, and found that puking helps reduce my anxiety and helps my mind relax. Now I’m not scared of puking or others around me puking anymore! My brother is recovering from a withdrawal right now and has been puking the past two days. As a kid I would have probably had to sleep in another house. Now it doesn’t bother me at all.

[@cloverttv]

I've had Emetophobia for as long as I can remember. I'm 20 years old now, and I'm still stricken with fear whenever I feel sick, or when someone else around me is being sick. I can't remember why exactly it started though. I just know that, whenever I go out to eat, I get anxiety and am not able to eat a lot at the time. Or, whenever I know I'm going somewhere for a few days with someone, I get anxiety. Spending the night with a friend was even hard on me. I've tried stopping the fear, and I feel like I am slowly over coming it, but then later, when I try again when someone else is sick, it comes right back. I know it's not something I should be scared of, but for one reason or the other, I am.

[@armouredfish5576]

Brook I can relate with you. I fear spending time with friends or going to the movies for fear I might get sick. I also can add on about the anxiety... In 2018 I finally did research and found I have many symptoms of emetophobia. Even traveling back to my old city caused me anxiety and stress... Not sure why. I hope that if you are reading this in 2019..soon to be 2020 that you are finding ways to heal.

[@linarabbah5891]

i’ve been struggling with emetophobia for the past month. it’s been hard. every night i have to sleep with a trash can near my bed, and everywhere i go i always carry a plastic bag with me. it’s really hard. and even though i’m not really sick, i feel sick constantly and it’s been really effecting me.

[@evangeline_23]

Watching this, talking about my phobia and challenging it actually makes me feel so much worse, don’t know how to get over it

[@hannahabbas681]

ME TOO😭 I thought I was the only oneeee

[@elliej4699]

I’m 20 years old and I have emetophobia. I was diagnosed with anxiety in 2012, I was in year 8, still in full time education and I didn’t go to school for about 5/6 months because of it. My biggest fear about this phobia is what you explained.. vomiting in public, I’m nearly 21 and all I want is to hold my mums hand when I’m having a panic attack / vomiting. But this video has extremely helped & im going to try and use the tips :) it makes me feel better knowing that it is quite a popular phobia (unfortunately) I’m from Guernsey Channel Islands so not many people I know suffer with it, I know at least 2 people. So I would love to hear everyone’s stories and why you have it / how you overcame it. It’s horrible and I know how everyone feels x

[@Visaipalagai]

you are gods...You gave me clear idea thanks for your service

[@piggyeastbroccoli7918]

have emetophobia and ive had it for as long as i can remember. I literally never get sick but when i get panic attacks, they make me feel like im gonna throw up and that scares me to death, i will stay up all night crying and shaking, i used to have these episodes every night and i was missing ALOT of school. Recently i dont get them as much, i think im slowly getting better and the last time i had one was last month which is, really really good! The thought of throwing up still horrifies me and i can not stand seeing sick or else i will think im going to get sick. Whenever someone in my family throws up, i will not go near them for atleast a week and i will not use the toilet that they threw up in. But i think im getting better, so yay aha❤️💕

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Well done for starting to get better. If you believe seeing someone else’s vomit will make you vomit (which doesn’t happen) this suggests it is a phobia starting from childhood as your perspective is using inaccurate information if that makes sense. However you absolutely can overcome this fully but it can take a little time (we find addressing the origin is the most effective way). You may find therapy such as psychotherapy or CBT can be very helpful which your doctor should be able to arrange for you. We also cover this topic in our Conquering Anxiety book and at our workshops too. Good luck and well done for the improvements you have made so far.

[@katierandall6470]

So nice seeing all these comments of people who suffer the same as me! I used to think I was the only person who ever suffered like this!

[@hxpocritical7108]

I’m just afraid to throw up in public because I will embarrass myself to death

[@1hellokittyfan]

Same😢

[@arandomyoutuber6510]

Same you probably have anxiety nausea just like me and there is a way to stop just don’t overthink and talk to someone

[@FallenVampireTenshi]

I have an intense fear of being sick or seeing/being around people who are physically being sick. I just hate everything that happens, I cannot stand the sight, taste, sound, smell and the feel of it. It doesn't effect my life in a sense like I avoid being around hospitals or avid certain foods, I just make sure I never let myself be sick. Something I notice I do when I feel like I might be sick is to hurt myself (not self harm!) but just grip onto myself to the point my nails break the skin as I feel it helps takes the feeling away. Bad habit and my fiancé hates it when I do that. It did however affect one of my jobs as a patient in a health centre I was working in said she felt sick and I just saw her lean forward and hand flew to her mouth. All I did in panic was duck under my desk and cover my ears in pure fear. I got into a lot of trouble for doing that as I was told I should've helped her but I couldn't! Made me so embarrassed and ashamed of having this fear.

[@traceywhitehouse2220]

Thank you for posting this, you really understand emetophobia. I know as I write this that "my attitude to being cured is wrong" that I "can't really want to be cured" because I've tried CBT, I've tried "thrive" I've had counselling, nothing helped, I just can not get to the ultimate "goal" of either doing "it" or being with someone who is doing "it". So that's it basically, if your frightened of spiders, the only way to cure it is to hold one, if your agoraphobic your " goal" is to go outside, I get it, you have to face it head on to cure it, I get it.... I just can't do it. "Put up and shut up" I've been told. Miserable, miserable phobia. You can avoid most phobias, how often would you come across a snake in the Midlands for instance? I can't "avoid" this, I have, like everyone, a "stomach". The threat is ALWAYS present. 😞

[@arianaecall]

this made me cry because I feel like everything I’ve ever felt has just been described to me like it’s nothing. thank you

[@alexandralouise3250]

Wow. This is it right here. The tips are so simply yet so helpful. It totally shifted my mindset and the way I think about Emet especially tip no 1. about the fact vomitting actually only does good and that in hospitals they induce vomitting to save your live if you're having a nasty bacteria. It truly eased my mind to think about vomitting in this positive light - not that I want to vomit obviously, but im slowly accepting and not resisting anymore. Also when you said that if you look around at the people in your life who doesn't have Emet and they eat what they feel like and aren't obsessive over it and they first of all don't get sick and if they were to get sick, its just your body's way to cleanse itself and save you and second, that they are truly just enjoying life at another level without constantly worrying about something or someone making them sick. And also lastly, "don't take advice from your younger self who was in the state of fear". that one right there is so true. As a child we take everything that we don't understand as a trauma, and vomitting isn't traumatic in itself, but can surely as you also said in the video be somewhat horrific for a child to witness eathier for them selves or others. Being that child in a state of fear that has imprinted this fear onto you, isn't you fault - remember that! but it is your responsibility to heal yourself from it and be kind and understanding towards that little child you once were and still are at heart and tell him/her that your body is a comfort place and shouldn't be seen as a place that wants to do you any harm. All in all, loved this video and wish all my fellow emets the best recovery because IT CAN BE CURED!!!!!!

[@laurenbarwell2216]

I have had emetophobia for 7 years- I’ve also had germ ocd as a consequence,. I’ve tried CBT, counselling, hypnotherapy and medication with no success, but this video has changed my life. It’s made me see everything differently. I can’t thank you both enough .

[@OPlives]

I'm happy for you!!

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Thank you again Lauren. Your message means a great deal to us both xxx

[@celebrityskiin]

It started when my dad was sick in the night on the floor and I had a bad sick bug and I was sick alot. But now I realise how silly I am! I last was sick November 2019. Thank you for the help, this phobia has made me a different person!

[@zia4582]

Hiii! This sounds really weird but how does it feel to actually throw up? Like does it feel REALLY bad or?

[@lucylooandtegantoo]

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.

[@sandiepell3583]

Great video I’ve watched it lots of times and will continue to do so ,Thankyou xxx

[@ItsNullen]

You're both incredible thank you! This really helps me ♥️

[@evankapantais5300]

very useful talk. thanks!

[@icykalmc]

Thank you so much!

[@lizziejordan5244]

I am only 13, and I think I know when it started. But I really want to get over it as it is dictating my life. I don’t wash my hands over and over again but I do sit in my bed at night crying after just thinking about vomiting, and I feel so alone for I know that no one understands. I won’t eat chicken before I cut it up into tiny pieces so that I know it it’s cooked. I don’t want to do that. I don’t want that to be something that I HAVE to do. I know it will get worse. That’s why I looked for help. Because I don’t want to live with it. But I believe that this video, is the beginning of recovery for me.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Really hope our film is helping. You absolutely can overcome this fear!

[@carsynkettner9138]

I have these exact issues and I’m also 13. Hopefully we can both beat this! Know your not alone. I hope you can recover. It really really sucks

[@monaperry498]

i’m 13 too and have it . whenever someone says they don’t feel good i start rapidly shaking and it becomes hard to breathe and i’m literally tearing up rn because it’s so hard to calm down and relax. and it gets in the way of so much regular things

[@monaperry498]

and no one understands either because it’s so weird and when i need people to help me they just make me feel lonely because they don’t understand how serious it can be

[@lor5272]

im a teenager, and i remember when i developed it 4 years ago. i got a stomach flu, and a few weeks afterwards i started feeling i had to throw up again, like daily. i never did though, but the feeling was uncomfortable, and i guess thats what started it. i didnt wear the clothes i wore when i or somebody else threw up some day. words could trigger my anxiety, watching video with people getting sick (including some cartoons) triggered my anxiety. since then it's gotten a little better, words and cartoon sick don't bother me so much anymore, the clothes thing doesn't really happen either anymore. but, it's the reason i have OCD now, its making this whole phobia a lot worse. i overthink about getting sick and i end up thinking im nauseous, get a panic attack, and it takes like 30 minutes for me to fully calm down. i obviously dont know the next time i will get sick, i dont want to throw up obviously, but at the same time i do want to, just to understand what it actually feels like. maybe i'll worry less.

[@millymcleod5572]

This video has really helped me I have felt very alone all of my life and been made fun of and been through alot because of my fear of vomit it scares me to deth but right as i was having a panic attack about vomit I decided to watch something to destract my mind and this has help in so many way thank you xx

[@LoLugon]

You guys are awesome, thanks for the video. You guys deserve way more subs for the help you give. Keep it up :)

[@nikandevaspeakman]

That's so kind, thank you x

[@MsClaret2010]

Your videos are really interesting and informative,some of these conditions/phobias I don't suffer with myself,but it's interesting learning about the psychology behind what causes them and how to get rid of them :) x

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Thank you for acknowledging that, we really hope they will help many who watch them.

[@leannehaycock9015]

Thankyou so much for this video! I am 21 and have had numerous bouts of cbt through my teenage years for help with emetophobia, which has helped a little but I still struggle to look to the future and even think about having children of my own. Through childhood, I always remember being told not to eat or do certain things as it would 'make me sick' or 'give me tummy ache'. I am very fussy with foods, meat in particular, and also won't eat out at places which are unfamiliar to me, and if I have to then I will only eat my 'safe' foods, as I figure that I would rather save myself from the panic attack than risk it and eat what I would like to. Growing up, I always loved family parties, however now, even the mention of me being invited to a party makes me feel anxious, knowing that there will be alcohol and a heightened risk of coming in contact with sick. It is so reassuring to read the comments and know that it is such a common fear and to see that people can and do recover from it. So thankyou for sharing this video and letting us know that we aren't alone! x

[@libbymay5322]

I have the same. Do the "Thrive cure your emetophobia program". I have it so badly but this is the only thing that's helping me get myself better. Trust me just do it and thank me later xx

[@nathanielr1436]

Great video, makes me feel asif I can actually beat this!

[@nikandevaspeakman]

That's great news that yiou say that Nathaniel and you most certainly can overcome Emetophobia. It is teh most common phobia that we work with and we will be posting more videos on the subject later in the year. wishing you all the best.

[@aqa5965]

Thank you so so much this helped me a lot

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Our pleasure and we’re really happy to hear that x

[@hoodnationproductions]

My emetophobia happens when I’m with someone cause if I retch or throw up in front of them it’ll embarrass me

[@kaitlynjohnson2975]

this really helped me! and got me thinking how i’ve only been sick 3 times in the last 9 years and maybe this isn’t something that happens as often as my mind wants it to believe

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Really pleased to hear our little film helped 💕

[@Jepegish]

I had emetophobia but it disappeared with age and home made therapy. I just binged watch eating challenges where people threw up and surprisingly helped, if you're willing to give it a try do so, it helped me so it might help you

[@hydroise5328]

Same here, i had emetophobia so it gave me anxiety and the anxiety increased nausea more, so an uncontrollable cycle was produced, but recently I had a relapse, and now I think it's time to face that fear by normalizing seeing people throwing up or at least get rid of anxiety so nausea don't come with it.

[@lydia_singingx5866]

I have emetaphobia now, since I was a toddler! I absolutely hate vomit but this video helped

[@elh8177]

Just found this video years later lol, I had a severe panic attack the other day about attending a football match (I go to every home game) but this time I was severely scared of going and being sick, its happend before a while ago and it makes me go all hot and nauseas, I ended up staying at home crying that it had won, Im going again in a few weeks and Im hoping I make it this time! Thanks for the tips

[@kiri1056]

I have emetophobia and none of my friends have it i didnt know it was a thing and i have not heard it and i knew i had so ething like that i thought i was the only one

[@adamjacksonhughes3860]

I just want to say... Eva the things you describe about someone who eats mints, uses hot water bottles, cautious of germs, being careful what you eat... that's me!! As well as being told off... as well as Parent being sick... I've got the point where I can't cope with it... I always feel I NEED to be sick to make myself feel better so sometimes I feel I need to make myself sick on purpose which I know it's bad. 😢

[@user-tu4ty2zr7p]

idk i pray to god and im glad it helps me and these kind of videos also help but when i hear how severe it can get that scares me so much thats why i dont wanna think about it or hear abt it i feel like therapy would make it worse bc id realize how scared i am and like this i kinda just forget until i have a stomach ache or when it comes to food but i think im okay idk ill maybe get meds next week ill update u guys (idk if anyone cares but yeah) im so scared of getting a stomach flu tho today i was at a festival and i had a panic attack bc i thought abt if someone was sick there.. i really pray that nothing bad happens to me im scared but i try to tell myself that its not that scary it kinda helps :)

[@polishlass5067]

It happened in my childhood, my dad was drinking, addicted to alcohol. I still can't handle my phobia.

[@raspeth]

That is probably more common than we realize. :(

[@luce1914]

Thank you thank you thank you- Im legit crying. Ive had Emetophobia for the past 5 years and it's so bad that I fear if i'll vomit i'll panic, go insane/lose it and attempt to.. end it out of pure panic.. I have severe OCD, I once couldn't eat for over a month due to my Emetophobia and I ended up nearly dying. Then for a year I lived on these special drinks that well.. keep you alive but not exaclty healthy. Basicly lived on fluids for a year- This was two years ago and now I can eat almost like a normal person- My emetophobia in general hasn't really gotten any less tho.. Im still terrified. I'm in the process of recovery but i'm way to scared to do exposure therapy - i'm scared I just wont be able to handle it. This video really made me feel like i'm not crazy

[@nikandevaspeakman]

You’re not crazy honey. This is the most common phobia we help in our clinic. Literally every week we help people with this same phobia. We have a few films on this topic here on our channel so do take a look. The way to overcome your phobia is to locate and address the cause as this is not a phobia you are born with. Looking for positive benefits of vomit is important too. Maybe look for a therapist who has positive experience and success with this phobia. Good luck. Keep positive and optimistic as you’re doing great and making great progress ☺️

[@bellajynx]

My emetophobia started because I had undiagnosed kidney disease from birth until age 8. No one listened or took me seriously until I was vomiting for months and couldn't keep anything down and entered kidney failure. Eventually because my skin had gone grey and I was deathly thin, I eventually got referred for an ultrasound which showed my left kidney exit tract pretty much dissolved and my kidney had started swelling with fluid which had been pressing against my stomach and causing me to throw up everytime my stomach was filled with anything. I was 2 weeks away from my kidney rupturing my main artery and instantly killing me. The issue I've had is my anxiety and emetophobia always ties into my near death experience. I know that my phobia is due to me associating me vomiting as a sign that I'm dying again. I can't shake the thoughts that it means I'm going through it again. It terrifies me, hospitals and doctors terrify me, I've not been able to visit a hospital apart from seeing my dad after a heart attack. My anxiety doesn't come without nausea and vice versa. I have a deathly fear of dying because of what I experienced as a child and its gone so far now I get recurring bouts of anxiety and emetophobia that completely debilatise me and leave me bed bound for weeks if not months. This episode started a week ago when I threw up whilst out in my nearby city. I've not been able to leave my home ever since. I really want this to go away because I can't live my life properly. I'm terrified if I throw up again it'll mean the worst because why else would my body be trying to make me vomit or feeling this nausea unless something was seriously wrong. I've barely been able to eat at all this week.

[@ClarkJaymi]

Have suffered with Emetophobia since the age of 7 (16 years). I was in a school play and just before the play started the boy behind me vomited all over my back. I instinctively ran to the other side of the stage to the teacher but was then on the wrong side of the stage to come on for my scene which caused me to panic. I remember crying because I was on the wrong side and I see the whole situation from a third person's point of view already. I also got food poisoning from a KFC restaurant whilst staying at a friends house when I was 9 and I hated being sick in surroundings I am unfamiliar with. I used to be a lot worse through my teens and at one point wouldn't eat chicken at restaurants, now I am a lot better and it doesn't necessarily affect me going out or living life until I am actually ill. When I feel sick or know I'm about to be sick I panic and can't deal with the fact it is coming out of me, when actually vomiting I'm sobbing and sobbing and I want to know how to make myself feel better whilst vomiting and also in the lead up to being sick! Please help!!!

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hi Jamyi, Please answer these questions. Who/what caused the issue at the school play aged 7? Who/what caused you to be sick at your friends house? Whilst at your friends house, after being sick did you feel better?

[@sandiepell3583]

My phobia started when I was age 13 ,my mum had cancer and was sick all the time ,I was frightened and felt helpless ,and so sorry for her ,no one told me what were wrong with her only that she had bleeding down below ,( cervix ) I didn’t know it was the treatment she was having ,the radiation ,I lay awake at night shaking ,listening ,feeling extremely sick all the time 24/7 ,that feeling never went away ,I thought she was making me sick ,I accused her of poisoning me ,I got food fear ,I tried to talk to my dad and nan they both dismissed me as I was apparently the healthy one they were all worried about her ,I asked my Nan to come to the toilet with me as she had done in the past ,she said no ,I can’t ,so I held it in for evermore ,I fear the loss of control which is what happens when anyone vomits .

[@TeamTandMe]

I have agoraphobia brought on by emetaphobia. My emetaphobia is very much related to my emotions, if I laugh I feel sick, if I cray..I feel sick....ect ect. It has also caused social anxiety, I get so nervous talking to people outside of my family that I start a viscious circle of a chocking sensation and nausea, gets to a point where I have to hide away. It is by far the most miserable phobia. I can't challenge my memories as most have been blocked out due to trauma. Getting those memories back is not something I really want to endure. I am a mummy of a big family and I'm very good at putting on my 'im ok, face when really im screaming inside, because im literally terrified of vomitting, all the time. I find that I judge myself constantly too something I never really did before, how I look and act. One day by some miracle they will come up with a magical medicine that will cure all mental health. Until then, we have to fight the silent fight and remain to be the silently strong people we are x

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Any fear or phobia is based upon our perception of the thing we are phobic to, based on a past life event. We have to accept that our perception was inaccurate, otherwise everyone would have the same fear. The way to resolve this therefore is to positively alter your perception of the event and vomit with positive counter evidence. Most people with a phobia continue to offer themselves information to justify their phobia thus why vomit is bad, whereas the key to overcoming it is to consciously make efforts to look for positives of vomit. Although medication will help dull or numb the symptoms , the cause will always remain until it is addressed with therapy.

[@amandayates1406]

Thank you so much for posting this - it's come at a time in my life where I really needed some help and I will absolutely take on all the information that you have said. One of my main fears with my emetophobia is vomiting in public and not knowing when I'm going to actually vomit - I have a full time job so fortunately it hasn't stopped me leaving the house but I am finding it more difficult everyday to actually get to work incase I vomit whilst I'm there as I fear not knowing if it's true sickness or imaginary 'fear' sickness and also vomiting in front of anyone. have you got any tips on how to look at this in a different way to lessen the fear? Thank you so much and I'll see you in January at the Manchester workshop!! 😊😊

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Amanda, thanks for the post. Just wondering how old are you and how often you have vomited in public? x

[@amandayates1406]

I'm 27 now and have never vomited in public (sounds silly when I write that! Haha). I think sometimes it's the thought of not trusting my own body or not being able to get to a 'safe place' in time (I.e. Toilet) But yes - 27 years and it's never happened yet!! Xx

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Just asking? If I had a phobia of tripping up and falling in public and feeling hugely embarrassed, but I have never tripped up, what advice would you give me? With this in mind please watch the video again and let us know. x

[@amandayates1406]

I would say that you are worrying about something that's never happened and there's no reason why it should happen in the future. Xx

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Great answer! Is there anyone else who has a similar problem right now that you want to say that too? xx

[@madeleine5398]

I’m 20 and about 3 years ago I was on the train travelling back to work from a meeting. I felt very nauseous on the train and then felt sick the whole day at work, I was terrified of being sick there! I made it home and after hours of deep breathing and cold air to try to fight it off, I was finally sick and it was awful - I can remember exactly how it felt. I have always been very scared of being sick but I think I’ve realised that this incident has made it much worse as this was the first time I’ve been sick and been on my own - my mum has been with me every other time rubbing my back and telling me it would be okay and this time she was downstairs and not with me. It sounds so silly as I was old enough to be able to deal with that on my own but I have such awful memories of that incident that play over and over in my head that I think that must be what the issue is! Trying to change my perception of the memory but it’s so hard not to go back to my point of view and remember the feeling :(

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hi Madeline have you ever considered that it was more traumatic because you were fighting it all day? Often our body knows best and when we interfere, we can make things worse. Equally, something else to consider and appreciate is that your body did exactly what you wanted and delayed you being sick till you were home,. Hope watching our film helps too x

[@KatieEveProMUA]

I suffer with this really badly but my biggest phobia wasn't addressed in this video and it's travel sickness as it's what originally caused my phobia. Do you have any tips for that? Like being on an airplane and not being able to get off?

[@100rebeccaleanne]

I am 30 years old and have had emetophobia since I was around 6 years old. I can still remember clearly every single stomach bug I had as a child. I remember every time I got car sick and everytime my teachers would take me out of class when I would have a panic attack because I felt sick. My mum was never reassuring, she would always shout at me when I was sick. I remember I would beg her to help me, I would be sat on her bed shaking and crying and she would ignore me. When I would throw up, she’d be angry because I made a mess. I would ask if she could stay with me but she would always leave me. It makes me cry remembering back to little me that was just looking for someone to tell me it was ok. I was petrified. I still am. I feel like my emetophobia is completely out of control now. My mum still doesn’t believe in this phobia. She tells me I think about it too much and that’s the problem. I have a lot of resentment towards her because of all this.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Sorry to hear that. It does sound like your mums response contributed to your phobia but is it possible she too has a phobia of vomit and that’s why she reacted as she did? Maybe she didn’t want to admit it and that was her way of dealing with it. Regardless, this is not a fear you have to live with all you life. Address the origin and start to look for reasons why you shouldn’t fear vomit as opposed to why you should. Take a look at the tips in the films we have here on our channel and I hope that they help.

[@MinogueGemz]

This video really really helped me and I feel more understood than I ever have But I just need to ask, I have an OCD feature to my emetophobia, where I think if someone says 'sick' enough times it will happen to me, and while I know that's stupid, I find it hard to get myself to not believe that. I avoid ever saying the word, I go around it, and if anyone says it I freeze up, and if the topic comes up at all I think it's 'a sign' that it's coming. Is this a common thing?

[@adamjacksonhughes3860]

FreakOfNature - I have that issue too hun x

[@MinogueGemz]

I'm so sorry :( But thank you, that makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one xx

[@adamjacksonhughes3860]

It's ok hun x

[@charlottemartin6698]

yes!! omg thank you ! i’m not the only one ! xx

[@rebekahwilson483]

Yes, I had this issue for a long time too. While I still suffer meet-phobia, I can cope with the word now and it's purely by exposing myself to it and trying to normalise it in my brain. It still makes me uncomfortable but I don't panic like I did/do when faced with the physical thing.

[@tillyeq7765]

I've had emetophobia for quite some time; but in October I went to a sleepover at my friends (I already disliked sleepovers) and vomited the morning I got home. since then i have been constantly paranoid, missing over 3 weeks of school & not wanting to go anywhere in fear. I bought multiple medications to ease an symptoms that I take everywhere. I'm starting cbt tomorrow 😢

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Sorry to hear that you're suffering. Really hope that the video and the CBT help xxx

[@suzypee]

Itsonly Tilly did you cure yourself? My daughter is exactly the same, it was followings school trip and she is now avoiding sleepovers, play dates etc and it's restricting her life, she is 11

[@paris_cute8532]

Thank you very much. I don’t feel alone anymore. It all started when I was a kid and my aunt got sick. Every since that day it’s became a fear. I have a 8 yr old and when she get sick and start vomitting, I’ll avoid using the bathroom for a few hours. I literally pissed my pants to avoid going in the bathroom.

[@paris_cute8532]

I didn’t realize this condition existed. My family and friends thought it was a joke.

[@paris_cute8532]

It*

[@Hades_mm2]

I’m 11 with emetophobia and it started when my dad told me that a rockster had like 4 full vodka bottles drank them all and died from drowning in his own vomit.

[@maubnie]

My Emetophobia developed over time there are many reasons for it. The first one is my allergy. I have a fish allergy which causes me to throw up when I eat fish. When I was little my parents didnt knew that, I threw up every friday in kindergarden. Everyone thougth I have a bug which wasnt going away. The second reason is that my father used to get sick often when I was a child. One time he threw up on the floor rigth next to me no one was at home expect him and me. My mother came home later she said that i was totaly terrified and scared. I had many other psychological problems but since 4-5 years im suffering from emetophobia too. The "outbreak" was triggered by a really bad bug I got, which probably caused me to have a throw back to these painfull memories which totaly forgot about. Since that day im suffering from Emetophobia over the time it got worse and better. At the moment i'm at a dark place where i have never been before. I often have suicidal thougths, because the fear is in control of me and I think I cant change anything about that. The most people in the Internet who suffer from emetophobia write that they never got really cured of it and I know that I dont want to live like that forever. Im only 16 but I know that live isnt worth living like this.

[@romishstinkyfeet]

I used to have mild emetophobia, it was hell while it lasted but I’m glad I’m ok now lol

[@yurimin998]

i’m glad ur better! can you tell me how u got better cause i have severe emetophobia and i can’t really go to therapy at the moment

[@ingehjemme]

My 20 month old son caught a stomach bug a week ago. Father took care of cleaning him and I helped wash the sheets. Was I trembling? Yes. Was it hard? Indeed. But we got through the night and I told myself over and over again: it's just a bug, it'll pass. I got it two days later and think I handled ok. In the past I have been in bed for days after due to anxiety and fear of eating again just in case my stomach would still object to it. I was only in bed one day this time and on my feet again the following day able to do my chores, eat and go back to drinking coffee. I think it's a success even though I have a long way to come working on this phobia, but it can be done and these videos help a lot ❤

[@nikandevaspeakman]

That is excellent progress! Very well done to you! We know how challenging this phobia can be so we feel very proud of you :)

[@ingehjemme]

@@nikandevaspeakman thank you so much. Your advice has helped me in a way beyond imagination. I'm so grateful ❤

[@lexiemartinez1196]

i cried during this... I am 10 and ive had this since I was 3 and i really belive this helped. mine started when i was sick, and i didnt know why. turns put o wprried too mich. i hate losing control... and its terrifying

[@lalaribbon7281]

I think we don’t fear the throwing up itself, but the feeling of nausea does. I threw up this march and before I threw up, I got panic attacks and then and then. Then when I started to get some mints (since it soothes my nausea) I was panicking again but before I chew a piece of gum, I started to feel that is coming out of my throat and it went out of my mouth. I panicked because I also have this phobia but then I experienced it. I guess it’s the only way to overcome it

[@87shelli]

This video actually made me feel quite emotional, I’ve suffered from this for many years now. I’m not sure what caused this there were two things - Being sick after eating garlic bread age 8 and being at school every week after swimming the same boy was always sick near me. Obviously just pool water but still worried me - primary school age. I’ve had an eating disorder from this, couldn’t stay in the house at night because I thought that’s when it could happen. I never used to me able to say the word sick. This was all you my younger days and teenage years. I know I’ve come along way but it’s still there especially now i have a child of my own worried about the day he starts nursery 🙁 could he bring back sickness bug. Help please

[@micaaaa8277]

I didn't actually believe myself when i found out that I'm scared on vomiting or seeing someone vomiting. But now i understand its a phobia, tysm. I thought i was crazy to fear vomits

[@nikandevaspeakman]

It’s by far the most common phobia we treat, and we receive more enquiries for help about this phobia than any other, so you’re definitely not alone. Hope our tips help.

[@tristanbyrd9424]

I have had this for 5 years when I went threw a terrible sickness worse I ever had in my life it got some better on and off but my phobia has been so bad since last couple months when I got sick again and I haven't hardly been able to eat much

[@nadiajones972]

i’m so done with this fear. im so so done. i wanna be brave and i wanna get over it. but i cant. im so scared im so so scared

[@heidi_elizabeth3255]

I have always had a fear of throwing up, I actually don't know why but every time I feel sick I get scared.my dad has the same problem, I've had this ever since I was 6 years old and I'm 15 and haven't thrown up since. the last time I throw up was in my old house and it brings back bad memories. hopefully they can help

[@kimking9376]

I hugged someone yesterday twice they said they had been sick in the night. Now I'm really worrying. I've suffered with this phobia since I was 6 years old I'm now 31

[@ellsmith06]

I am 13 had it for 6 years and I suffer from it most days I really need help

[@erinddee1185]

I wish I could talk to you in person so you could help me because I’m not sure if I have this or general anxiety/panic disorder

[@Nothingtoseehearorknow]

I’ve struggled with this crippling phobia for almost 30 years. Stopped eating and going places simply for a fear of vomiting and not food or socialization as a teen and was labeled anorexic and agoraphobic by a therapist who knew nothing of Emetophobia. So I learned never to try to seek help again. Over the years, it got steadily worse to the point that I didn’t want to live anymore and something in me broke deeply. So I joined the Army and powered through the exercise and gas chamber. I went to college and graduated with honors. I worked in retail and hospital pharmacy. I eventually married and helped my spouse battling cancer with his nausea that I feared. After his passing, I married again and took care of my step sons alone at night while my husband worked. The one boy had cyclic vomiting and it still terrifies me to this day, but I did it and he’s a grown man now. I decided to get pregnant 3 times and powered through morning sickness. Then, something broke in me again. This time for the worse. Seeing my kids sick and feeling their misery made me climb the walls. My babies falling ill one by one and clinging to me and getting sick on me. I broke. I started handing them to my husband and running to the other side of the house, covering my ears and crying, and waiting for the vomiting to stop so my husband could cuddle the child and I do damage control cleaning in a desperate attempt to not get sick or see my kids get sick. Then I started resenting sending my kids to school to get that horrible bug at least twice a year. Now I have chest pain and breathing issues so bad that it got me sent to the ER by my doctor because of a heart rate of 156 and EKG off the charts. My doctor thought my trouble breathing was a clot in my lung. I went to the hospital with no anxiety whatsoever, got a little nauseous for some reason (might have been mention of CAT scan contrast) and before I knew it, I had a full blown panic attack that I sickly watched cause my heart rate to get so high that they were yelling at me to lie down and calm down...like that was going to help. After an hour of begging, they finally gave me something for my stomach, I felt like a fool and finished the tests. No clot. So now the dr thinks I have a wicked case of acid reflux. Trying to sleep all night and I keep getting an upset stomach end running to the bathroom fearing being sick, calling myself stupid for being a prisoner of my own mind and just DO it already...I popped a Zofran, 3 tums and ginger ale like I didn’t just have a nice little talk with myself about just doing it. So my whole point is, my Emetophobia is almost all better. I’ve stopped obsessing every minute of every day during quarantine and homeschooling since I know school can’t make them sick right now. I just can’t seem to hurdle the last part in the thick of mine or my kids’ actual sickness. I hate it. Absolutely hate it and I’m just so done with it. I’m pretty sure I got this phobia when my parents refused to stop the car for me and my dog when he started puking into my lap. He was just SO sick and my parents kept driving and said they’d clean up the mess when we get there. I need to erase that memory. I could feel his suffering. I felt trapped and alone in my fear. Then had been ridiculed for being ridiculous by everyone and attention seeking by a therapist. I will do all the steps in this video. Please just tell me I can do this. I know I can. I just need to hear it from somebody who understands. Thank you and thank you for this video.

[@e-tray5969]

Dana... you can do it.. I have been dealing with this for 20 plus years... I was unable to pursue different career paths because I was afraid to go to interviews because I was afraid of being nervous and throwing up... eventually I just put myself out there and pressured myself to get in uncomfortable situations so I can familiarize myself with unknown situations. I would not eat when I knew I was going to be in a situation where I knew I would get nervous that way I didn't have anything to throw up. I found out with exercise I was able to minimize the feeling, I believe because my confidence level was alot higher. Just know that you are not alone. I hope you can get through. You will

[@neurodiversenomad]

We here for u

[@ellsmith06]

I have this and I am struggling with this as I am righting this comment. At the moment there is a really nasty bug going round and I am really scared

[@avatar2801]

I have this Phobia, and next week I have to take stomach medicine for a bacteria. And I’m scared since I can’t handle medication very well and I have to take 3 different stomach medicines. I am scared.

[@Nik-pr7ox]

My Emetophobia started very weird. 5 years ago, i was on vacation and i felt very nauseous all of the sudden. I said "i think im gonna vomit" and my parents stressed out because they didn't have anything to make me vomit in. 5 seconds later i calmed down and they i said nono I'm good. I'm good again. And they gave me some pills and i went to sleep. The next day, my whole life changed. I could make myself nauseous and i couldn't leave the house without feeling nauseous. Vacation ruined.. Ever since that happened i could make myself nauseous whenever and wherever i wanted. Which meant that, i never ate breakfast. I didn't leave the house unless my stomach was empty. If i did eat, i couldn't leave the house anymore. It went well for 4 years, i was still happy but i had no idea what was going on. But last year my whole life changed again. I can barely eat anymore without feeling nauseous. I don't go to school anymore and I'm nauseous 24/7. i lost 10kg (i used to be 55kg and I'm now 45kg, im 170cm i hate being this skinny!) I'm seeking help for my Emetophobia but they diagnosed me with autism, and because of that i don't get help for my Emetophobia. I got the courage to text my therapist "I think i have Emetophobia" but she didn't reply yet. I don't think I'm ever gonna get over the fact i can make myself nauseous, i think my autism plays a role in that too. I think differently than other people, which is why i can make myself nauseous like that i think. I hope i can recover, but I'm not sure. I fell back into my depression, and i got suicidal. It's such a hard phobia to recover from, alot of people have told me "just vomit and you'll understand that it's not scary" and i know they're probably right and vomiting might help my fear but there's no way in hell i wanna vomit. I think my suicidal thoughts would get too much for me to handle if i do vomit. I'm so scared, i hate this phobia so much

[@kayleighx83]

Thankyou for your video, its fantastic, with great tips....ive had emetophobia for 3 years now.....not sure what triggered it as also had it when i was 13 years old but grew out of it. Not sure what to do.....everytime i here their is a tummy bug about i panic.....stop eating ect......i dont go out anymore with friends because im scared i will be *s*. Its horrible and really had put my life on hault. I have 2 kids and feel like i have missed out on doing alot with them! Any advice would be great xxx

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hi Kayleigh, do re-listen to the video and ask yourself the questions. If you can follow the advice, consider all possibilities of when you were faced with vomit in childhood (that was then re-triggered at a later date), and question the belief, then you can overcome your phobia. There is also a video on "how to overcome your phobia" on this channel which you should find helpful, and we also have an emetophobia blog and video on our website www.speakman.tv xxx

[@hannahabbas681]

I’m so scared of throwing up. Watching this makes me scared. I don’t know where it came from. I threw up on the bus in 2nd grade but I don’t know if that is. I’m just so scared. How am I going to have kids when I’m older. How am I going to handle a kid when its sick. How am I suppose to live my life like this. Omg.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

We have successfully helped many people overcome this phobia so you can too with the right therapy / experienced therapist. We do have a film here on our channel to explain causes of phobias, so do please take a look albeit the bus incident does sound likely if you were ok before this. Embarrassment is a significant contributor to creating a phobia. Do subscribe to our channel if you haven't already as we will add more films about this topic. Also look at our overcoming phobias film, and use our anxiety relief technique until you have dealt with the origin. This is a very common fear. Good luck!

[@hannahabbas681]

The Speakmans - The Worlds Leading Life Change Therapists thank you so much. This mean a lot❤️

[@AlexandraBonner]

Nothing works for me I feel as if my mind is taking over my body. I don’t tell anyone I have this because they just don’t understand and when I tell them, they think I’m self diagnosing something silly. I do think I need physical help but I’m not sure how to tell anyone. It’s gotten to the point where I would pick my own skin until it bleeds, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety such as passing out when someone says they don’t feel good and when someone sick as in pale. I avoid going to public places like doctors, theme parks, and restaurants because im too scared there’s going to be sick people there. Someone please if you have any tips or anything PLEASE help me I’m only 12

[@ameliarose8822]

Do you have to he diagnosed with Emetophobia?

[@Ikigai747]

I just feel like freak but that's okay...fine I have had these since I was 5 and I remember not eating being anxious and all the parts and feeling nausea all the time and now as a teenager it's gotten better obviously it gets worse on some days like today the fear I mean but all I have to do is stop doing compulsions and keep going

[@molliereeves5686]

I developed my emetephobia 2 years ago when I got food poisoning ever since then I developed anorexia and I have daily panic attacks I was very violently sick last night and now my stomach is hurting I'm so panicky

[@fatbumum]

Along with having a fear of being sick, I have a real fear of others vomiting, even more so if I know that the person has a bug. I hate everything about it, the sound, sight and smell! Is there anything I can do about this?? Thank you.

[@jisoo1571]

As far as I’ve known I’ve always had a fear of vomiting but I can’t put my finger on why. It’s been suggested before that it’s a loss of control thing but I’m not sure. All I know is that the moment I go into a big public space or I’m trapped in a certain place for an amount of time (for example a drive through line) I get so anxious and nauseous straight away like an allergic reaction. I was unfortunately sick a few years ago so I do have a vivid memory of what it actually feels like when you’re going to be sick, and I dealt with that situation a lot better than I thought (I was at home in a safe space and I didn’t have a panic attack at all as far as I remember) yet I still can’t stop this phobia. Even when I know from my own experiences that this is not how I feel when I’m going to vomit, it’s just me feeling nauseous from anxiety. Are there any tips on what I can do to help this more specifically? I have your other videos to do with agoraphobia & emetophobia in my watch later to watch asap. But I thought I’d try commenting too.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Sorry to hear you have this phobia, we help and cure people of this phobia weekly in our clinic and have done for many years so understand the restrictions and challenges this phobia creates and how difficult it is. Firstly, albeit you may feel this has been lifelong, no one is ever born with a phobia therefore there is always an occasion that creates it. We do not find that control is actually a cause. The cause is an event which then you endeavour to avoid ( this may appear as control, but is no different to any other phobic person who endeavours to manipulate their life to avoid whatever they are phobic to at all costs). From your message, it sounds like yours may have started when either you or someone you witnessed was sick and felt embarrassed and or trapped in the situation. Do you also maybe suffer with claustrophobia too? If so this will also need to be addressed. We have films for claustrophobia here too. Therapy can really help, but it’s usually best to work on addressing the origin and your perception of that event with your therapist. We also share some great techniques to help you feel calmer here on our channel such as ‘stop anxiety now’ and in our book Conquering Anxiety we take the reader through our process which has helped many people too. Good luck.

[@hannahabbas681]

People who have this am I the only one that’s lowkey actually scared of nurses office because you never know if there are people throwing up in there, because the nurses office is small and the school is big so it can happen.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

People with emetophobia will generally do all they can to prevent seeing or getting sick.

[@sophieanneburd4109]

My mum and grandfather suffer with this as well as I. I had no idea they had it until mine came out. My mum didn’t know about my grandad’s phobia until hers got bad. How is that possible? Mine is a lot worse than theirs. It’s left me suicidal at times I can’t cope anymore.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Children copy. Just as you copy your parents accept, you copy their behaviours. Just as you don’t consciously consider your parents accent type neither do you consider that their behaviour is a phobia as to you it’s normal. So it is copied, and each generation usually gets worse just because they don’t actually have a reason (other than copying) so they apply it to more situations. All that said you can all be cured with therapy or yourself challenging your inaccurate beliefs. Do speak to your doctor and request therapy.We have a great trio of tips on our TikTok, a blog on our website, we cover this in our book Conquering Anxiety, in our podcasts with tips and interview of people cured. The podcast is called Making The Change and at our workshops. For details email [e-mail] but if struggling talk to your doctor first.

[@fannyandersson4113]

For me its inprinted in my head by my mother That its dangerous. She have epilepsi and pass out when she vomit and if she is out for More than a minute it can couse brain damage. Im not afraid of dying im afraid of vomiting.

[@healinginafricamymentalhea7692]

Its interesting, but I dont think I fit in. I am not scared of it killing me. Or anyone else. Im just absolutely petrified of it, and the whole feeling. Its got worse and worse, always had it, but until recently, (managed to avoid doing it well over 20 years) its not been this bad. I was raped 2 years ago, stopped it happening then somehow, was in some kind of shock for a while, which protected me, and enabled me to travel a long way home through a violent country (now I wonder how I did that at the time), its got worse and worse, as have other symptoms. I am a qualified mountain leader, yet now struggle to leave my house. And feel like its too far away when I cant see it (or even when I can sometimes), and I feel very exposed. Starts in my legs, they go tense, stop working (ive spent nights stuck on the kitchen floor), and I have to get back asap. I cannot walk more than a few seconds from the house before the panic comes on, which then sets off me feeling very very sick and panicking even more. And im so tried, I have nightmares that also make me feel sick., I can no longer help the people in Soweto who need me, because things are making me more panicky and feel more sick, ever since the assault. Everything has changed. I will say that I remember having the emetoph since childhood, seeing a programme on tv about "rare conditions" and feeling validated at last that I wasnt weird, telling my mother I had this, and being told to not be so stupid. I was terrified of mentioning it ever again. I did worry about planes, boats and so forth, but would take medications and convinced myself that would stop it, just had to avoid other people. (Although planes for me has always required much whisky.......anyway.). Now im at the point where I know its stopping me from getting anywhere near an airport to need to worry about that part. As I start panicking as soon as im away from my house. I cant go on a bus anymore. This is new. I am a medical molecular microbiologist, at MSc level, so will say I know a lot about mircrobes, and altho im terrified of the norovirus, I have put myself into situations where other sufferers probably wouldnt, because I have wanted to expose my immune system naturally early on, not to being sick, but as a kind of "if im too sterile - then EVERYTHING IS A RISK". thought. I dont know how common that is. But I feel good about have a so called "Iron stomach" in Africa, as other people have been sick where I havent. But my recent problems have all so much intensified after the assault. And it actually is the feeling sick part of the panic I find hardest to deal with. I will do anything to avoid it. That in my mind, has been considering death. I will admit, I would rather die than be sick, although there are other reasons that I want to die sometimes. Its just horrible. Sorry for going on so long. Id do anything to get over it. I write a lot, but recently, although I know its supposed to be therapeutic, ive noticed that trying to put into words my assault, can bring on the feelings too much. So there is no escape that way either. My attacker hung himself before the court case. That also brings on these feelings. And if im mid panic, if im able to use my muscles to call samaritans, I cant tell them these things specifically because I feel in my mind that if I say them outloud, about the assault, or his suicide, that somthing terrible will happen to my body. So I hardly say anything. ANd I know they can only last up to 30 minutes, but I seem to get them over and over again sometimes, recently. After being stuck on the floor for 12 hours I was so drained. I didnt know it could do that to me. Id do anything to stop it getting worse. I thought it would get better over time, not worse. Now I feel worse than when I was actually assaulted in real life :(

[@Nintengoob]

I've had terrible emetephobia for so long now and we've had counciling multiple times but it hasn't helped, I can't go to school lately, I can't eat properly, I can't enjoy the things I enjoy and I'm always feeling sick just from the phobia which makes it even worse have u got any advice as to what I should do?

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Please watch the video & know that there is always a start point and this is a learned behaviour from that start. The good news is you can definitely overcome it when you challenge what you believed when it started. Listen to the advice in the film & don’t give up. Our book ‘Conquering Anxiety’ also covers this and you may find this very helpful too 😘❤️

[@letsplay8595]

Thank you, I am finding it slightly difficult to relate. I am much more fearful of others been or feeling sick than myself. Is this still emetaphobia?

[@ElyseHorvathNaturalPaws]

yes it is

[@mayaxwv]

Thats exactly what im going through

[@mayaxwv]

Hi, I've had this fear since I was about 9 or 10 years old ( 3-4 years ago ) and now I'm absolutely teriffied of the sound somebody makes when they vomit. I have read about my phobia recently and what I am supposed to do, but i still struggle with heart racing and not having the ability of getting that sound out of mind when it happens. What advice would you give in this situation ?

[@nikandevaspeakman]

The formula is always the same, being to address the origin of when this started, what you perceived then and challenging this memory and perception as to how you may have misunderstood. We would assume sound was relevant at the start and hence your heightened awareness. Therapy can be very helpful and do look at the film we have called ‘Stop Anxiety Now’.

[@mayaxwv]

Thank you a lot, I think the technique will help me and thank you for taking the time to answer. I realized that I started to develop this anxiety when I first heard my grandma vomit. At that time I already had some sort of fear about it but it wasn't bad. The reaction to that event was what led me to have some sort of panic attack when events like this happened. I usually am not afraid of me vomiting anymore, but the sound of others is pretty teriffing. I have improved a little bit but I still have to work on it.

[@tarakbouaziz4344]

i think the Emetophobia influenced my unconsciousness , how do i control/change this unconsciousness ? i remember exactly how this sickness started , and how i spend much years afraid/anxious of vomiting as a result i'am skinny until now and when i started to practice sport ,i saw my self in the mirror (always skinny) , i realized there's something wrong , i cannot eat that much food because i'am afraid of vomiting , so how do i change that ?

[@nikandevaspeakman]

To change the unconscious (or behavioural schema relating to vomit) you have to change your belief. During the event which started this phobia, you gave yourself an inaccurate command that vomit is a danger to you, and therefore you need protecting from it. As a result, your ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response is triggered which gives you all the feelings you now experience. To change the belief you have to look for overwhelming evidence and then take on board why what you are believing is untrue. You also need to challenge the originating event, particularly why you misjudged the situation.

[@its_bella4783]

Whatever I do does not work

[@ghosty9893]

I have a fear of vomit and it’s HORRIBLE. I start bursting out crying and feel nauseous and anxious..my sis right now is sick and I’m feeling anxious..but I know I won’t be sick again because I haven’t been in more then 3 years, and I’m 13 btw...and it’s scary asf Also I have baths CONSTANTLY and I avoid foods like wraps that you buy from the shops because last time I ate one I got crippling stomach pain..not sure if it’s just an illness or because of the wrap tho..idk

[@jackthebrit9431]

Does anyone else have set routines and you can’t do certain things because you think it will make you sick. Like I can’t sleep until it’s gone past 10 o’clock at night otherwise I think I’m going to throw up. And I always wash my hands so now they’re soar. Like when I get a pain I instantly start thinking I’m sick . I hate it .

[@neurodiversenomad]

Yep set routines or "ritual s"

[@Izzylauro318]

This isn’t the only reason why I have Emetophobia this is just a story.... About 2 years ago when I was living on my dad, my little siblings had a stomach bug and they both threw up that day. I didn’t think anything of it until that night when I threw up in the middle of the night . Now I live with my mom, and a couple days ago I had lunch with my family and I my dad didn’t tell me that my little siblings threw up the night before until AFTER I hugged and kissed them hello. He KNOWS I have this fear and now I’m so scared that they will get me sick again... I’ve been feeling so nauseous and sick since then and I really really don’t want it to happen.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Feeling anxious can also cause you to feel nauseous. Hope our tips here help.

[@adamjacksonhughes3860]

Hey Nik and Eva, Thanks for the video... I've noticed a lot of similar things that I do. I used to get told off as a child but that's because my mum has the same fear too. My main reason behind this fear happened 1 year ago... this was when my Aunty attempted suicide by taking an overdose of around 50 tablets or more. Me and my mum both found her on the floor in her own sick and groaning... (That groaning is still very clear in my mind) Another thing is that I can remember her saying "I Feel sick" so every time I hear that now I panic. she's now at home bed Ridden, my aunty doesn't remember what happened but even sitting in her house and looking over at her chair still can sending me in to a panic attack. Sometimes I can wake up at night with indigestion or bloating and I start to panic thinking I'm going to be sick and that's probably why I always drink milk or have 5 packs of mints lying around the house. I use a hot water bottle a lot of the tines, especially when I'm feeling anxious to go to sleep. xx

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hi Amy, thanks for the post. Just wondering, whilst it wasn't nice finding your Auntie in her own sick, had she not been sick, what would have happened? x

[@adamjacksonhughes3860]

I dunno! 😑 x

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Okay here's the answer. BEING SICK, SAVED YOUR AUNTIES LIFE.We think it is reassuring to know that sometimes when we make the most unfortunate of decisions, vomiting or being sick can still save our lives. xx

[@adamjacksonhughes3860]

The Speakmans - The Worlds Leading Life Change Therapists - the way I look at is if I hadn't turned up when I did and try and put her in the recovery position (She was Resisting) then she would have choked on her own vomit... Still hard to get those flashbacks to stop though. xx

[@adamjacksonhughes3860]

Yesss BUT she was lying on her back and she couldn't breathe!!

[@tabby3854]

Hey, I have a desperate question and I hope someone could answer this for me! Basically.. I’ve recently started dating my boyfriend and a new trigger / worry has come up with me with my emetophobia.. I get too scared to kiss my boyfriend / make out with him incase I’m sick from it… since I worry about if hes contaminated or what he’s ingested etc… I just get very scared myself about it. It’s such a horrible restriction because I’d love to kiss him without worrying.. any advice?

[@prisellaharlow1354]

I wonder is Emetophobia more common in males or females

[@Kris-jr9yw]

These tips are great but for me, I am afraid of vomiting and I can't explain why, other that I really don't want to feel it, and when it comes to other people, I'm not afraid of it I'm afraid of it happening because of the way it makes me feel. I start to shake and my stomach hurts and I have a really bad panic attack. I often need to leave the room if someone is sick there and calm myself down. Or even hearing someone vomit or hearing that someone nearby had thrown up. I don't understand why it scares me because just saying it's gross because it's more than that but I don't know what. It just makes me feel horrible and I begin to panic. I just can't handle it.

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Sounds like it probably started when you were very young when you didnt quite understand what was happening? Starting with the origin of your fear is the most effective way to address it. Hope our films helps, and we also cover this topic in our book 'Conquering Anxiety' x

[@carolinadoglover1389]

Its not going to kill me but it feels horrible i cant take it

[@toblerone8665]

I'm only 12 years old and I suffer with emetephobia so badly! I'm worried about going to school when there is a sic bug because I'm scared of seeing someone else be. :(. Also i don't like going to a city like London because I always see piles of sic there and worry I'm going to see someone else be sic. Im also worried about being sic in public. I don't know what to do :(

[@nikandevaspeakman]

Hope this film helps a little, and do speak to your parents about having therapy for this which your doctor can arrange as you can get over this phobia. Also do take a look around our channel, as we have tips to help with phobias, fears and anxieties here, and we are adding new films every Monday and Thursday.

[@payytontapper2125]

i hate my teachers because they dont understand me when i am just sitting there crying and there just yelling at me by crying even though i am not vomiting

[@raspeth]

Thanks for sharing. Why do they yell? I am a teacher and I would not yell. Someone should give them more information about emetophobia. You should see a counselor. Do they have one at your school? Everyone needs to see a therapist at some point in their lives.