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Everything to Know About Emetophobia

Everything to Know About Emetophobia

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Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting. People who struggle with this phobia often face social and workplace isolation and take many precautions to make sure they don’t vomit, just like someone who fears elevators and goes up stairs 10 times a day. Kids who suffer from emetophobia refuse to go to school or visit a friend’s house, and adults miss work and avoid eating at restaurants. Because of the fear of vomiting, a lot of life is avoided. To avoid something disagreeable that rarely occurs entails missing out on a lot of life and a considerable deal of thinking and strategic planning. What is so distressing is the uncertainty of not knowing when it will occur. This article explores emetophobia’s meaning, how to get over it, and the symptoms of emetophobia.

 What is Emetophobia?

Emetophobia is a specific phobia involving a severe fear of vomiting, seeing vomit, watching other people vomit, or feeling sick. People who suffer from emetophobia are always anxious and behave in a way that affects their daily lives.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, emetophobia falls under the umbrella of specific phobias. Specific phobias are the reason for anxiety and panic attacks caused by the actions that trigger your fear.

Like many other phobias, the fear of vomiting starts small and develops the roots of fear until it becomes something that causes panic and anxiety. This type of phobia may develop after a traumatic experience involving vomiting or for no reason at all. In children with emetophobia, many of them have anxiety issues before developing this specific fear.

Read More: Can Anxiety Cause Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath?

Symptoms and Causes of Emetophobia

To discuss emetophobia symptoms and emetophobia triggers, we need to know what causes this fear to happen. Motion sickness, a stomach bug, food poisoning, excessive eating or drinking, food intolerance, and anxiety cause nausea and stomach discomfort.

This can cause the following symptoms of emetophobia: increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, an upset stomach, a tight feeling in your chest, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.

You may take certain actions to deal with your fear if you have emetophobia. If you prepare for any event that can involve vomiting, you may feel more at peace because you may not feel in control of your body when you vomit. Identifying a bathroom near it, having a trash can next to your bed while you sleep, avoiding long vehicle rides, and roller coaster rides, being close to the ocean, and avoiding drugs that have nausea or vomiting listed as a potential adverse effect are examples of these behaviors.

What are Emetophobia Triggers?

Emetophobia triggers involve watching someone who is vomiting, feeling nauseous, hearing or saying words related to vomiting, going into a new place and smelling vomit there, and being around foods that previously caused vomiting.

Read More: Behavioral Health VS Mental Health: What is the Difference?

How Emetophobia Affects Those Who Have It?

Emetophobia is the fear of or anxiety over vomiting. People with this fear get put off by the act of being ill, but many believe that the anticipation leading up to vomiting is worse than actually vomiting. Emetophobia can affect everyone, however, it is more prevalent in women than in men.

In addition to their fear of vomiting, emetophobics may also be terrified of being unable to locate a bathroom, frequent or uncontrollable vomiting, choking on their vomit, feeling ashamed in front of others due to vomiting, and visiting a medical facility.

Read More: Let’s Talk About The Relationship Between ADHD and Anxiety

How to Get Rid of Emetophobia?

Searching for answers to questions like how to overcome emetophobia? How do you get rid of emetophobia? How can someone help someone with emetophobia? Or how to calm down an emetophobia panic attack? Let’s see how we can get rid of emetophobia.

There are different ways to treat emetophobia, which include psychiatric medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications.

Medication Management

Medications aren’t usually used to treat emetophobia. But sometimes, medications can temporarily help relieve symptoms of fear and anxiety to treat your phobia when you’re going through psychological therapy or in unavoidable situations. Medicines like antidepressants are used that are used to treat anxiety and depression.

Read More: The Association of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy or psychotherapy is used to treat emetophobia. If we go specific, then cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) and exposure therapy are used. CBT is used to treat many other conditions as well, including adjustment disorder, ADHD, and psychosis or schizophrenia. In this therapy, fears are treated by managing the negative thought patterns of the brain. Another therapy is exposure therapy which is usually used to manage OCD, acute stress, specific phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this therapy, the sufferer is slowly exposed to its fear to manage it.

Lifestyle Modifications

Another way to manage emetophobia is by making changes to your lifestyle. Deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga can help you control your emotions and fears, and this way manage your phobia.

Read More: Can Anxiety Cause Dizziness? A Complete Understanding Of The Link

Emetophobia Treatment at Orange Coast Psychiatry

If you want treatment for emetophobia, there is no better place than Orange Coast Psychiatry. We have telehealth services for all mental health disorders. Whether you need treatment for adjustment disorder or social anxiety disorder(SAD), we have you covered. Our expert psychiatrists offer customized and evidence-based solutions for psychosis and ADHD. Get in touch with us now and receive telepsychiatric services from anywhere.

Conclusion 

Fear of vomiting is a kind of phobia caused by watching someone vomit, being unable to find bathrooms in new places, and being around food that causes you to vomit. However, there are methods to manage this phobia including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. If you still need help, Orange Coast Psychiatry is one call away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Different techniques are used to manage this fear, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. 

The symptoms of emetophobia include motion sickness, a stomach bug, food poisoning, excessive eating or drinking, food intolerance, and anxiety, causing nausea and stomach discomfort. 

Usually treated with exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. It can be treated with medication management in rare cases.

Emetophobia is a rare disease and is not very common. Over 0.1% of the population suffers from this fear around the globe.

Fear of vomiting is known as emetophobia. 

Reference and Footnotes
  1. Emetophobia (Fear of vomiting). (2025, March 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25115-emetophobia-fear-of-vomiting
  2. WebMD Editorial Contributor. (2023b, May 15). What is emetophobia? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/what-is-emetophobia
  3. Raypole, C. (2023, May 24). Understanding emetophobia or fear of vomit. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/emetophobia#treatment
  4. Emetophobia – Anxiety UK. (2025, February 25). Anxiety UK. https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/anxiety-type/emetophobia/
  5. Fritscher, L. (2023, November 16). Emetophobia: the fear of vomiting. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/fear-of-vomiting-or-emetophobia-2671857

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Jackson Tea

MSN, PMHNP-BC

Administrative Director and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Jackson Tea, MSN, PMHNP-BC, serves as the Administrative Director and a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) at Orange Coast Psychiatry. Dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, Jackson is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers individuals to take charge of their mental well-being. His expertise includes comprehensive psychiatric assessments, personalized medication management, and behavioral health interventions designed to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes in their mental health journey.
Jackson’s approach to care is rooted in the belief that mental health is just as vital as physical health. He focuses on creating a supportive, judgment-free environment where patients feel heard, valued, and understood. By offering individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals, Jackson helps clients overcome obstacles such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and other mental health challenges.
He holds a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from National University, a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned Dean’s List honors. As a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, Jackson remains committed to advancing mental health awareness and promoting high standards of care in the field.
In his role at Orange Coast Psychiatry, Jackson leads clinical operations while ensuring regulatory compliance and delivering high-quality care. His core competencies include psychiatric assessment, evidence-based interventions, crisis management, clinical leadership, and risk mitigation. Above all, Jackson strives to make mental health care accessible and effective for everyone, supporting individuals in making meaningful progress, improving their quality of life, and achieving lasting well-being.

May Faustino

Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

May Faustino, PMHNP-BC, is a compassionate and highly skilled psychiatric provider with over four years of nursing experience, including three years specializing in psychiatric care. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from West Coast University, where she received extensive training in managing the psychiatric needs of pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations, as well as providing therapy and counseling services.
May has worked in diverse mental health settings, including forensic psychiatry at the Department of State Hospitals and behavioral health services at Aliso Ridge Behavioral Health. Her clinical expertise spans psychiatric assessments, medication management, and trauma-informed care, with a strong focus on treating anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.
Bilingual in English and Tagalog, May is dedicated to serving diverse patient populations with a culturally sensitive approach. She is trained in evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing and is well-versed in trauma-informed care and suicide prevention strategies.
May is passionate about promoting resilience and recovery through preventive mental health care and individualized, holistic treatment plans. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her memberships in the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
In her personal time, May enjoys fostering mindfulness and well-being through activities she loves, such as spending time with her husband and their two beloved cats, Pippy and Eva.

Dr. Montgomery

M.D. – Psychiatrist

Dr. Torri Montgomery, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with a subspecialty board certification in forensic psychiatry. Dr. Montgomery is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Montgomery earned her Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Arizona State University and her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from The University of Arizona, College of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. During her psychiatry residency, Dr. Montgomery completed a year-long certification in Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT), earned a certificate from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe medication for the treatment of substance use disorders, and worked in a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic for substance use disorders. Additionally, she was appointed Chief Resident and received an Excellence in Teaching award.
After psychiatry residency, she completed her Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. After completing her fellowship, Dr. Montgomery has worked in public psychiatry for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. She teaches, consults, and treats individuals with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders. Her experience includes outpatient, inpatient, emergency, consult liaison, addiction, dual-diagnosis, and forensic psychiatry. She is an expert evaluator on the Superior Court of California Panel of Expert Psychiatrists and Psychologists. Dr. Montgomery is an attending physician for the Harbor-UCLA Department of Psychiatry and serves as a psychiatrist with Orange Coast psychiatry.

Dr. Ravi

M.D. – Psychiatrist

Dr. Dave Ravi, M.D., is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with additional qualifications in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Ravi is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Ravi graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (B.S., Magna Cum Laude), VCU School of Medicine (M.D.), Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Residency in Psychiatry), and John. A. Burns School of Medicine (Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry). He currently is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, HI and serves as a psychiatrist with Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Ravi is a dedicated community psychiatrist with extensive experience in public, correctional, inpatient and outpatient settings, and an experienced tele-psychiatrist. He consults on topics in general psychiatry, including quality improvement, treatment planning, and crisis management, and in correctional psychiatry, including recovery-oriented treatment for individuals with serious mental illness and dual diagnosis. His current and future interests focus on understanding the various approaches in managing the suffering and disturbance of complex psychiatric disorders, particularly in the use, misuse, overuse, and misrepresentation of psychotropic medications.

Dr. Irwin

M.D. , Ph.D – Psychiatrist

Dr. Scott Irwin, M.D., Ph.D., is Board Certified Psychiatrist. Dr. Irwin is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
His career mostly focuses on improving outcomes for those with cancer or other progressive, potentially life-limiting illnesses, and their families, through leading-edge clinical services, ongoing research, as well as program development, improvement, and implementation.
He is widely published, has been recognized at many levels for his research, teaching, consulting, and clinical endeavors, and has received research funding from the NCI, NIMH, the National Palliative Care Research Center, the Archstone Foundation, and industry.
Dr. Irwin earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and both his MD and PhD (neuroscience) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He successfully completed his psychiatry residency at UC San Diego as chief resident of Outpatient Psychiatric Services, as well as a two-year elective in hospice and palliative care at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with subspecialty certification in psychosomatic medicine.

Richard Samedra.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Richard Samedra, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working with clients facing a wide range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. His journey began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Charge Nurse at Westminster Therapeutic Residential Treatment, where he supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Richard’s dedication was centered on helping these individuals improve their mental health and transition to a lower level of care, whether that meant returning to their families, a board and care facility, or a sober-living environment.
Motivated by a growing passion for mental health care, Richard pursued his Registered Nurse (RN) education at Saddleback Community College and later transitioned to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital Behavioral Health. In this role, he specialized in geriatric psychiatry, working with older adults experiencing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. This experience solidified his commitment to mental health, leading him to work at Bellflower Community Hospital, where he provided care for patients experiencing severe psychiatric crises, including suicidal ideation, manic and depressive episodes, substance use disorders, and exacerbated schizophrenia symptoms.
Inspired by the impactful work of PMHNPs at Bellflower, Richard enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University. To broaden his expertise, he worked full-time at College Hospital Costa Mesa while completing his studies. There, he gained comprehensive experience across various units, including adolescent, acute men’s and women’s, stabilization, and detox/med-surg. Now, as a PMHNP, Richard is committed to leveraging his diverse background and knowledge to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need.
Richard currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where he is supervised by Dr. Montgomery.

Shaheena Gazipura

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Shaheena Gazipura is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 9 years of dedicated experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
Shaheena began her career working on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit before transitioning to the geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Shaheena also serves as a Nursing Clinical Instructor, guiding the next generation of nurses through their mental health rotations at a large community college.
Shaheena is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing that it is a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and strives to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that honors each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel empowered to work alongside her in achieving their mental health goals.
Outside of her professional life, Shaheena enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, staying active through exercise, and planning her next travel adventures.
Shaheena currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Clint Nacar

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner -BC

Clint Nacar, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Nacar graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Currently Mr. Nacar works in an inpatient psychiatry unit at a leading academic medical center in Los Angeles, Renewed Mental Health Group, and Orange Coast Psychiatry
Mr. Nacar brings over 7+ years of experience with the mental health population. He works to help patients take control of their mental health through patient education, psychotherapy and medication management. Mr. Nacar’s areas of focus include: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Nacar treats children ages 6+, adolescents, and adults, offering both in-person services and telehealth at Renewed Mental Health Group.
With the collaboration of each patient, Mr. Nacar strives to develop individualized plans of care addressing each patient’s unique situation and concerns. He also encourages each patient to take charge of their mental health through a holistic approach while also employing the latest evidence based practices in treatment.

Clint is one of our most experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is 103NP Licensed in the State of California.

Cristian Cuevas

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

Cristian Cuevas, PMHNP-BC, is a highly skilled board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over seven years of experience in inpatient psychiatry and mental health.
A California State University Long Beach graduate, Cristian also earned recognition as a board-certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse. With a wealth of expertise in adult psychiatric care across the lifespan, Cristian has successfully diagnosed and treated a diverse range of mental health disorders.
Additionally, his specialized experience in child and adolescent inpatient populations further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.
Cristian Cuevas is the Lead Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is supervised by Dr Barrios.

Griselda Hernandez

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

As a licensed Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a robust background in psychiatric and substance abuse nursing, Griselda provides compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. The core of her practice focuses on promoting holistic wellness, fostering resilience, and empowering patients in their recovery journey. Specializing in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adolescents with various mental health disorders, Griselda strives to create a therapeutic environment where patients feel valued, respected, and supported.

“My approach is grounded in years of diverse experience, including work in psychiatric units and medical detox units for both adults and adolescents. This extensive background has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to manage complex psychiatric and substance abuse conditions effectively. I am committed to staying updated with the latest advancements in psychiatric care, integrating cutting-edge therapies and best practices into my treatment plans. Collaboration is key to my practice; I work closely with multidisciplinary teams, families, and community resources to provide coordinated and comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.”

Griselda holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health from West Coast University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Additionally, she is fluent in the English and Spanish language, enhancing her ability to connect with a diverse patient population.

Griselda currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Dr Barrios

Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Carlos Barrios is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over two decades of experience in mental health care. His expertise in telepsychiatry has allowed him to serve patients across California and beyond. In his practice, Dr Barrios integrates metabolic and functional methodologies, focusing on guiding patients toward medication independence and emphasizing the connection between physical and mental health.
Outside of his professional life, Dr Barrios is passionate about kettlebell training, which helps him maintain my physical and mental wellness. He cherishes visiting his family in Guatemala, to reconnecting with his cultural roots and rejuvenating his spirit. Dr Barrios is also deeply involved in transcendental meditation and rucking, practices that not only provide him with tranquility but also keep him grounded and connected to nature. These hobbies reflect his commitment to a holistic approach to health, both personally and professionally.