A phobia of vomiting, or emetophobia, is a condition characterized by a disproportionate fear of vomiting or other people vomiting, and is generally associated with an overwhelming sense of losing control, becoming very ill, or that others will find them repulsive.

What causes emetophobia?

It can develop following a traumatic vomiting experience or without a clear cause. Having a family history of specific phobias or other anxiety disorders can increase your risk. Emetophobia is closely associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, as it shares some of the same OCD symptoms.

Do people with emetophobia ever vomit?

Interestingly, most people with emetophobia rarely, if ever, vomit. Some report that they have not thrown up since childhood. Yet they constantly worry that it might happen. If you have emetophobia, you may have developed certain behavioral patterns or even obsessions in an effort to keep yourself safe.