Emetophobia is the name we give to the fear of vomiting, the fear of being sick, or the fear of throwing up. Often clients call the hypnotherapist seeking help in overcoming a fear of vomiting, believing that they alone have this fear or phobia. Contrary to this popular misperception, emetophobia is not at all uncommon. It is, in fact, the sixth most common phobia. Knowing this, it really is quite surprising that this particular fear is so little discussed. Perhaps this is because vomiting is one of those subjects that people tend to avoid discussing. But perhaps the major reason is because those who do suffer from emetophobia – in common with those who experience other irrational fears and phobias – often feel some sort of shame for doing so. These feelings, however, are completely unnecessary and unjustified. And with the right kind of transformational hypnotherapy, the fear of vomiting can be swiftly taken care of. Most often, the cause of a fear or vomiting is not at all complex. At some time in the past, the emetophobic individual has linked vomit, vomiting or being sick with an intense, traumatic feeling. What has happened is that a frightening experience or event in the past has ‘programmed’ this fear into the subconscious mind; it has become a ‘conditioned reflex’. So that sometimes even the thought of vomit or vomiting can automatically trigger the terrible feelings of fear and anxiety. Very few people who suffer from emetophobia actually vomit. In fact, in common with most phobias, the real problem is not so much the fear of vomiting as it is the fear of fear. This can loosely be classified as an ‘anxiety disorder’. The good news is that no-one need continue to suffer from this restricting and often debilitating fear. It is a phobia that can be swiftly and successfully treated through the medium of transformational hypnotherapy. Usually, two or three quite pleasant transformational hypnotherapy sessions are all it takes for the individual to permanently and completely remove emetophobia or the fear of vomiting. If you suffer from fear of vomiting, emetophobia, you really can do something about it. Emetophobia can be rapidly and effectively eliminated by working with a qualified and experienced transformational hypnotherapist.
Emetophobia and the Fear of Vomiting — a Psychotherapist Explains
- Date: April 12, 2010
- Author: Penny Pettman