User:Mmg0023/Emetophobia

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Intro:

Other possible fears that may come with emetophobia is not being able to locate a restroom in a timely manner, not being able to stop throwing up, choking on vomit, being embarrassed due to the situation, or having to seek medical attention.

Signs and Causes
There is a strong agreement in the scientific community that there is no specific cause of emetophobia. Some emetophobics report a traumatic experience with vomiting, always in childhood. '''Some suggest that individuals with emetophobia are victims of childhood abuse – sexual or physical. Although this is occasionally true, it seems to be no more prevalent than in the general population (Christie, 2004).''' Some experts believe that emetophobia may be linked to worries about lack of control. Many people try to control themselves and their environment in every possible way, but vomiting is difficult or impossible to control which can lead to anxiety or in other cases severe anxiety. A locus of control is an individual's perception of where control comes from. Having an internal locus of control means that an individual perceives that they have their own control over a situation, whereas an external locus of control means that an individual perceives that some things are out of their control. She explains how this phobia is created through the locus of control by stating, "Thus far, it seems reasonable to stipulate that individuals with a vomiting phobia deem events as being within their control and may therefore find it difficult to relinquish this control during the act of vomiting, thus inducing a phobia."

In an internet survey conducted by Dr. Joshua D. Lipsitz et al. given to emetophobic people, respondents gave many different reasons as to why they became emetophobic. Among some of the causes listed were several severe bouts of vomiting as children and being firsthand witnesses to many severe vomiting in others due to illness, pregnancy or alcoholism.


 * "Some suggest that individuals with emetophobia are victims of childhood abuse – sexual or physical. Although this is occasionally true, it seems to be no more prevalent than in the general population (Christie, 2004). "
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 * I am going to create this section as "Signs and Causes" instead of just causes. I think this would be helpful to add so people can help identify if they have emetophobia. And I will be using this source to do so
 * https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/specific-phobias/fear-of-vomiting
 * Some possible signs may include not consuming certain foods or alcohol, not being able to watch vomit scenes during movies or shows, avoiding people that are not feeling well, regularly washing hands, steering clear from traveling and crowds,making sure bathrooms are near, consistently checking signs of illness, avoiding certain smells, or pitching food before the expiration date.

Complications
Emetophobics may also have other complicating disorders and phobias, such as social anxiety, fear of flying and agoraphobia. These three are very common, because people who fear vomiting are often terrified of doing so, or encountering it, in a public place. Therefore, they may restrict their social activities so they avoid any situations with alcohol or dining out in restaurants. Emetophobics may also limit exposure to children for fear of germs. Women with this disorder delayed pregnancy or avoided it altogether because of the fear of morning sickness. People who have a fear of vomiting may avoid travel because of the worry about motion sickness or others experiencing it around them. They may also fear roller coasters for the same reason.

Lipsitz et al.'s findings also showed that those with emetophobia often have difficulties comfortably leading a normal life. Many find that they have problems being alone with young children, and they may also avoid social gatherings where alcohol is present. Retaining an occupation becomes difficult for emetophobics. Professions and personal goals can be put on hold due to the high anxiety associated with the phobia, and travelling becomes almost impossible for some.

In Lipsitz et al.'s survey, women with emetophobia said that they either delayed pregnancy or avoided pregnancy altogether because of the morning sickness associated with the first trimester, and if they did become pregnant, it made pregnancy difficult.

Other inhibitions on daily life can be seen in meal preparation. Many emetophobic people also have specific "rituals" for the food they eat and how they prepare it. They frequently check the freshness of the food along with washing it several times in order to prevent any potential sicknesses that they could contract from foods not handled properly. They might overcook food products in fear of getting a foodborne illness Eating out is may also avoided, if possible, and when asked Lipsitz et al.'s survey, many felt they were underweight because of the strict diets that they put upon themselves. In addition, many emetophobes avoid certain foods all together due to negative memories they may have with it relating to vomiting, and often eat a limited number of foods due to feeling like a vast majority of foods aren't 'safe'. Those who suffer from emetophobia might avoid anything that has an unpleasant smell or aroma, in fear of  This includes eating anything that might have a bad smell. They might also avoid any sight that may induce vomiting in them or other people.


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 * I am going to use this link to add in more complications people may face.
 * https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/specific-phobias/fear-of-vomiting
 * Emetophobia can also affect a person's social life. The phobia can cause people to miss out on everyday events or requirements. It is common for children to miss school, teens/adults to miss work, and for people to go great measures of not socializing with others.

Assessment[edit]
There are two assessment tools used to diagnose emetophobia: the Specific Phobia of Vomiting inventory and the Emetophobia Questionnaire. They are self-report questionnaires that focus on a different range of symptoms.

There have been a limited number of studies in regard to emetophobia. Victims of the phobia usually experience fear before vomiting but feel less afterwards. The fear comes back, however, if the victim fears they will throw up again.

Medications[edit]
Also noted in the emetophobia internet survey was information about medications. People were asked whether they would consider taking anxiety medication to potentially help their fear, and many in the study answered they wouldn't for fear that the drugs would make them nauseated. Others, however, stated that some psychotropic medications (such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants) did help with their phobia, and some said gastrointestinal medications were also beneficial.

Cognitive behavioral therapy[edit]
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment that can be used to help calm anxiety. It is most commonly used to treat certain behaviors by changing people's actions and thoughts by using a variety of different techniques to figure out why the fear is occurring.

Exposure treatments[edit]
Exposure methods, using video-taped exposure to others vomiting, hypnosis, exposure to nausea and exposure to cues of vomiting, systemic behavior therapy, psychodynamic and psychotherapy have also shown positive effects for the treatment of emetophobia. However, in some cases it may cause re-traumatization, and the phobia may become more intense as a result.


 * When a person avoids their emetophobia this could possibly cause the phobia to get worse. - add to assessment section
 * Speaking to a therapist can also be beneficial and develop possible coping mechanisms. - add to CBT