Over the last few months I have had a number of parents approach me in relation to helping their children, and who appear to be suffering from emetophobia.
What is Emetophobia? 
Emetophobia is a specific phobia characterised by an intense, irrational fear of vomiting, seeing others vomit, or feeling nauseous. It can affect people of all ages and often leads to significant anxiety and avoidance behaviours.
Key characteristics are:
- Triggers: Thoughts of vomiting, seeing someone ill, certain food, smell, or places (like hospitals or public transport)
- Behaviours: Avoiding social events, travel, certain foods, or people who appear unwell.
- Physical symptoms: Panic attacks, nausea, dizziness, rapid heartbeats – especially when exposed to triggers.
- Mental impact: Constant worry about illness, obsessive checking and sometimes depression or isolation.
Emetophobia in children:
Children may fear vomiting themselves (sometimes after just a single traumatic vomiting event), seeing others vomit, or even hearing about it. It can also lead to avoidance behaviours: skipping school, refusing food, avoiding travel, or obsessively checking for illness.
Common symptoms include:
-
- Panic attacks
- Social withdrawal
- Eating difficulties
- Sleep disturbances
- Ritualistic behaviours (e.g., checking food, handwashing)
Tips for parents:
- Validate their fears without reinforcing them.
- Avoid excessive reassurance or checking behaviours.
- Encourage gradual exposure to feared situations.
- Model calm behaviour and coping strategies.
- Seek professional help early – do not wait for symptoms to worsen!
Hypnotherapy for Emetophobia
Hypnotherapy can be a powerful and gentle approach to treating emetophobia, especially for those who find traditional therapies like CBT or exposure therapy too overwhelming.
Here’s how it works and why it’s effective:
- Accesses the Subconscious Mind
Emetophobia is often rooted in subconscious associations—like linking nausea or vomiting with danger or loss of control. Hypnotherapy helps reframe these associations in a calm, safe environment. - Reduces Anxiety and Hypervigilance
Through guided relaxation and suggestion, hypnotherapy lowers the body’s stress response, helping reduce obsessive thoughts and the constant scanning for signs of illness. - Builds Emotional Resilience
Using a solution-focused approach helps clients imagine a future where they feel confident and in control, rather than focusing on past trauma. - Avoids Triggering Exposure
Unlike exposure therapy, hypnotherapy doesn’t require confronting vomit-related stimuli directly. This makes it more comfortable for sensitive individuals or children. - Improves Physical Symptoms
Hypnotherapy can help reduce nausea, panic attacks, and other physical symptoms by calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation.
Many people report significant improvement after just a few sessions.