A fear of being sick can be difficult to explain to somebody who has never experienced it. They may assume that you simply dislike vomiting, as most people do. But emetophobia can go much further than that.
You might worry about being sick yourself, seeing or hearing somebody else being sick, or being trapped somewhere with no easy way to leave. Even the smallest feeling in your stomach can set off a rush of anxious thoughts.
Before long, you may find yourself organising parts of your life around avoiding anything that feels risky. I see people at my hypnotherapy practice in Hayle, and online, who have become tired of how much space this fear is taking up in their lives.
When the fear begins to affect everyday life
Emetophobia can show itself in many different ways. You may recognise some of the following:
- Checking use-by dates repeatedly
- Avoiding certain foods, restaurants or unfamiliar places
- Worrying about eating food prepared by somebody else
- Closely watching other people for signs that they might be unwell
- Avoiding alcohol, medication, travel or public transport
- Needing to know where the nearest toilet or exit is
- Asking other people for reassurance
- Becoming frightened by normal sensations in your stomach
- Avoiding pregnancy because of the possibility of morning sickness
- Restricting how much or what you eat
You may also find certain times of year particularly difficult, especially when sickness bugs are being talked about at school, at work or in the news.
The constant checking and planning can feel exhausting. Even when nothing is wrong, it can be difficult to relax because part of your mind is still watching for danger.
The connection between nausea and anxiety
Anxiety itself can create very real physical sensations. Your stomach may tighten, you may lose your appetite, feel hot or shaky, or notice a wave of nausea.
If nausea is the very thing you fear, those sensations can quickly increase your anxiety. The more anxious you become, the more closely you monitor your body, and every little change can begin to feel important.
This can create a difficult cycle:
A sensation is noticed → a frightening thought follows → anxiety increases → the sensation feels stronger.
Understanding this cycle can be helpful, although I know that understanding it logically does not always stop it from happening. This is one of the areas we can begin working with during hypnotherapy.
How I may be able to help
My aim is to help you feel calmer and less controlled by the fear.
Hypnotherapy can help relieve anxiety and may help you respond differently to some of the thoughts, feelings and situations that currently trigger you. During our sessions, I may use relaxation, guided imagery and mental rehearsal to help you develop a calmer response.
We can also look at the habits that have gradually built up around the fear. These might include checking, avoiding certain situations, seeking reassurance or always preparing an escape route.
I will never deliberately make you feel sick, and you remain in control throughout the session. Hypnosis is a relaxed and focused state rather than being asleep or unaware of what is happening.
The work is always adapted to you. We can take things at a manageable pace and talk through any concerns before using hypnosis.
Your first appointment
We begin with a consultation so that I can understand how emetophobia affects you personally.
I may ask about:
- When you first remember experiencing the fear
- The situations you currently avoid
- What happens when you begin to feel anxious
- Any checking or reassurance habits
- How the fear affects eating, travel, work or relationships
- What you would like to feel able to do more comfortably
You will also have time to ask me questions and decide whether my approach feels right for you.
The consultation is not a commitment to continue. Sometimes it is simply helpful to speak openly with somebody who understands that the fear can affect far more than the occasional moment of feeling unwell.
When additional support may be important
Emetophobia can sometimes overlap with panic attacks, health anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms or difficulties around eating.
If you are severely restricting food, losing weight, becoming dehydrated or experiencing nutritional problems, it is important to speak to your GP. Persistent, severe or unexplained nausea and vomiting should also be medically assessed rather than assumed to be caused by anxiety.
Some people benefit from specialist psychological support, including cognitive behavioural therapy and carefully managed exposure-based approaches. You can speak to your GP or, in England, contact NHS Talking Therapies to learn what support is available.
Hypnotherapy can be used alongside appropriate medical or psychological care. It is not intended to replace it.
Emetophobia hypnotherapy in Cornwall and online
I offer emetophobia and anxiety support from my private hypnotherapy practice in Hayle, Cornwall. Online appointments may also be available if you would feel more comfortable working from home.
You do not need to arrive knowing exactly where the fear came from or how to explain everything. We can begin with what is happening for you now and what you would like to change.
If emetophobia is making ordinary life feel increasingly restricted, you are welcome to get in touch for a friendly, confidential conversation about how I may be able to help.