Emetophobia, the fear of vomiting: Information, tips and help in Berlin & online

Help with Emetophobia

Hardly anyone finds it pleasant to vomit or to watch other people doing it. It is not pleasant! However, there are people who react to it so strongly that it becomes an anxiety disorder. This anxiety disorder is called emetophobia. iIt s known by many names. Sometimes it is called emetophobia, phagophobia, vomit phobia, vomitophobia, sickness phobia, fear of vomiting, fear of gagging, fear of swallowing, fear of choking, globus hystericus, but whatever you call it this condition can affect sufferers deeply.

Emetophobia is the exaggerated fear of vomiting or nausea. What is it all about and what helps? For about 20 years I have been helping people with emetophobia.

Overview

• Emetophobia
• Anxiety reaction in case of emetophobia
• Emetophobia is an often-underestimated fear
• Characteristics of emetophobia
• Reactions of the environment
• Avoidance causes phobia
• The difference between emetophobia and a social phobia
• Hypnosis and Hypnobalancing
• Just ask me personally 
• Your therapist
• What does hypnotherapy cost?
• Therapy duration
• Appointment booking
• You are not in Berlin or prefer an alternative to sessions in my practice?
• Preparing for your first session
• The first session
• How self-hypnosis can help with emetophobia

Emetophobia: the fear of vomiting and ..

Most people experience vomiting as unpleasant. The knowledge that vomiting is a protective reaction of the body does not change this. It serves to say goodbye to the contents of the stomach as quickly as possible, for example, if harmful food has ended up there.

Beyond the usual disgust, there are people who develop a constant exaggerated fear of having to vomit or of having to watch others doing it. They develop a phobia called emetophobia.

Emetophobia is known by many names. Sometimes it is called emetophobia, phagophobia, vomit phobia, vomitophobia, sickness phobia, fear of vomiting, fear of gagging, fear of swallowing, fear of choking, globus hystericus, but whatever you call it this condition can affect sufferers deeply. There are also a number of other fears that can be associated with a fear of being sick:

• Gagging
• Seeing others being sick
• Choking on food
• Pregnancy (due to the possibility of morning sickness)
• Drowning
• Social phobia

Anxiety reaction in case of emetophobia

The exaggerated fear of vomiting is stimulated mainly by the sensory organs. It is usually enough to see someone vomiting or to spot the first signs of it. If a situation is considered to be threatening, the brain releases histamine. Within seconds, this neurotransmitter causes a contracted stomach and nausea. Adrenaline is released. The anxiety reaction gains momentum. Thus, life is supposed to be saved by better conditions for escape or fight. Well-intentioned, but helpful in relatively rare situations these days.

Emetophobia is an often-underestimated fear

The exaggerated fear of vomiting is called emetophobia. Those affected in Germany often call it emo. It may have different manifestations; from the fear of throwing up oneself, witnessing others throwing up, to the fear of somehow coming into contact with the subject. For many emetophobic, the biggest problem is not vomiting, but nausea and especially the unpredictability and uncontrollability of vomiting.

Characteristics of emetophobia

Typical physical symptoms of an anxiety reaction in emetophobia include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Palpitations
• Breathing difficulties
• Feelings of tightness and anxiety
• Increased perspiration
• Difficulty swallowing

Indications of emetophobia are:

• Exaggerated and prolonged fear of vomiting.
• Awareness (by adolescents and adults) that the fear felt is exaggerated.
• Situations that might involve own or others’ vomiting are avoided.
• Significant limitations in social and professional life.
• Even the slightest suspicion of gastrointestinal illness affects freedom of decision.
• If emetophobic really have to vomit or experience someone else vomiting, the fear takes on panic-like states with symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, feelings of anxiety and unreality, dizziness, and lightheadedness.

As with most phobias, “fear of fear” plays a major role. It leads to a vicious cycle. The fear of vomiting triggers nausea, which in turn increases the phobia.

Effects

People affected by emetophobia are increasingly restricted in their private and professional lives. The consequences of emetophobia are very different and range from the avoidance of certain individual places to complete withdrawal into the four walls at home and thus isolation. Often, emetophobia also stands in the way of the otherwise ardent desire to have children, because nausea during pregnancy is feared. Loving mothers sometimes feel unable to pick up their children from kindergarten and suffer as a result. If a change in eating behavior also sets in, it can lead to health problems.

Limitations:

• Awareness (by adolescents and adults) that the anxiety felt is exaggerated.
• Significant restrictions on social and occupational life.
• Situations that might involve an increased risk of own or others’ vomiting are avoided.
• Violent reactions to information about the gastrointestinal illness. The very mention of Novo-viruses triggers fears.
• Places, where drunks are suspected, are avoided or, at best, visited with constant thoughts of escape.
• Even moments that are beautiful in themselves are not enjoyed because the constant focus is directed towards the possibility of escape.
• Prophylactic means and measures are organized.
• Some foods are not eaten and it can go so far that observers suspect an eating disorder.
• Even the most ardent desire to have children fails because of the fear of suffering from nausea during pregnancy.
  Relationships suffer from the restrictions.
• Even the slightest suspicion of gastrointestinal disorders restricts the freedom to make decisions.
• If emetophobic really have to vomit or experience someone else vomiting, the fear takes on panic-like states with symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, feelings of anxiety and unreality, dizziness, and lightheadedness.

Reactions of the environment

The reactions of emetophobic are difficult for others to understand. Many well-intentioned efforts to help often aggravate the feelings, increase the shame and perceived helplessness.

Avoidance behavior causes phobia

Affected persons tend to react with avoidance behavior, which additionally stabilizes and sustains the emetophobia. Personal freedom becomes smaller and smaller.

The difference between emetophobia and a social phobia

In the case of social phobia, “embarrassment” in front of other people is the focus. In emetophobia, this is not the case or is only of secondary importance. However, aggravating emotions such as guilt, shame, helplessness, etc. add up over time.

In a very simplified way, it is the fear of this fear that perpetuates the symptomatology and that must be resolved in therapy. The therapy of emetophobia should be started as early as possible, also because of the effects on social contacts

Help with Emetophobia

For many years, patients have been coming to my practice because of this issue. It is one of the most therapeutically demanding anxiety disorders. And yet many sufferers have been helped. Since I have been doing this for so long, word has spread because I have been recommended to others. That is why many patients travel to work with me in Berlin. I recommend making such a decision carefully, every person reacts differently and if you have unrealistic expectations, the cooperation will not be easier. Therefore, please read the considerations for therapy in Berlin.

Flexible-cooperative hypnotherapy in combination with techniques that can be used by the patient himself has proven to be very effective in the treatment of emetophobia. Trance intensifies the therapeutic interventions. In trance, communication with the unconscious is possible and solutions are easier to achieve. For permanent resolution, the human subconscious must be involved and this is especially true in the case of emetophobia.

Depending on the situation, it is more or less about analytical uncovering. The focus is on resolution.

Psychotherapy is a very personal process and especially the applied form of hypnotherapy with Hypnobalancing™ is based on trustful cooperation. Therefore, it is important that you get an impression of me in advance. Please have a look at my profile. There you will read which methods are used in combination with hypnotherapy. You will also find articles on self-help for emetophobia on these pages.

Please remember to clarify physical causes by visiting a doctor, and before booking an appointment, pay attention to the information on contraindications for hypnotherapy.

The number of sessions required varies as much as the personalities and experiences of the clients. On average, 8 to 12 sessions are required for treatment. Often this can be estimated by the patients after the third session.

Emetophobia is a very challenging condition that requires experience on the part of the therapist and a willingness to work together on the part of the patient for a lasting resolution.

How to decide to ask for help?

Are you thinking about whether you need professional help to recover? You may feel that you should be able to handle things on your own, or that talking to someone means you are not a strong person. You might be worried that talking about your issue during treatment could make your symptoms worse. It is important to get all those obstacles out of the way.

When asking for help

It is good to know that it is important to help yourself. It’s also important to know when you need to reach out for some help. Therapy can be a good opportunity to learn both aspects of emotional strength, autonomy, and reliance on those you trust.

An experienced therapist will let you choose the pace of your therapy and won't force you to discuss things you're not ready for. Emotional strength involves learning on your own and knowing how and when support is helpful.

How do the symptoms influence your life?

One of the best ways to figure out if assistance is good for you is to consider how much the symptoms you are experiencing interfere with your daily life. Do you have limitations in your personal life, or at work? Are you able to focus? Is it easy for you to build and maintain fulfilling relationships with people? Do you enjoy your life? Is there a feeling in you that your life could be more fulfilling?

Who can assist you?

Are you considering getting my assistance? The easiest way for you to find out is if you know someone I've been able to help. Then you will know firsthand what to expect. If that is not the case, you will find on this website some information that will make it easier for you to get an impression of me. Trust is important, and that's why I aim for transparency.

Your therapist

For about two decades, I am specialized in the field of fears and anxiety disorders. I spend about 20 hours a week helping people to free themselves from their limitations and thereby gain a better quality of life. If you want to know how it all started and what you should know about me, please read my profile. And yes, therapy is a very personal matter: Because it is a very intensive collaboration, I reveal some details about myself. So you can get a first impression of me. Trust is important and that is why I focus on transparency.

The sessions are conducted either in German or English.

What does hypnotherapy cost?

Here are some organizational details. Please read them before the appointment reservation. People often ask, "How much does hypnotherapy cost?" What is meant by this are the presumed total costs, which result from the fee and the duration of the psychotherapy with hypnotherapy.

Fee for psychotherapy

The fee per session hour of psychotherapy (60 minutes) for appointments from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 18:00:

• A. Sessions by telephone or online with video support 179,- Euro
• B. Sessions in my premises 199,- Euro.
• C. For options A. and B. plus short-term appointment changes* once up to 24 hours before, add to the hourly fee 35, - Euro.

The fees for psychotherapy are exempt from VAT according to § 4 No. 14 a) UStG.

The first session usually lasts 90 minutes. Outside the mentioned business hours (Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.) I add a 35 % surcharge. The minimum duration of a session is 60 minutes, billing beyond that in 30-minute units. The minimum duration of a session is 60 minutes, billing beyond that in 30-minute units.

The fees do not include travel, accommodation, and allowance costs, which will be charged to the client. For traveling on my behalf: The costs for the journey will be charged according to time and effort. Within Berlin, at least an hourly fee is charged. Relevant is the individual agreement.

Postponement of meetings: For hourly fees A. and B. sessions that last up to 120 minutes can be once rescheduled up to 72 hours in advance (only weekdays count Monday till Friday, no holidays), longer sessions, or more than 120 minutes within 7 days at least 14 days in advance. Otherwise, they will be charged in full.

You can't come to my practice? Switch to a session with video or use your telephone.

Method of payment: The fee must always be paid in full by bank transfer 7 days before the session. I will send you details by mail so that you are well-informed.

Right of rescission: If registration by consumers for an event is made by telephone, letter, e-mail, or online form, the provisions of the Distance Selling Act shall apply. If the intended start of the event at the time of registration is within the withdrawal period according to the Fernabsatzgesetz (Distance Selling Act), the registration is considered a request to start the service within the withdrawal period. You have the right to revoke a service order/date without giving reasons. This is possible within 14 days of the order by telephone and in writing.

Cost coverage by health insurance companies and other insurers

Usually, the fee is not paid by national health insurance companies. Please contact your insurance company to find out about their policy details. Please discuss this with your insurer in advance. You will receive an invoice from me with classification according to ICD-10. Should applications etc. be necessary, we can do this together during the meetings.

Therapy duration

The first therapy session lasts 90 minutes, subsequent sessions can also be 60 minutes long. The number of sessions required is as varied as the personalities and situations of the clients. For anxiety disorders, I usually see clients for 3 to 8 sessions. Frequently, this question can be estimated by the clients themselves after the second session. I will then also give you an estimation based on previous experience.

Appointment booking

Please read the important information before making an appointment with me, including the contraindications for psychotherapy with hypnotherapy. I have answered frequently asked questions for you. For the success of your therapy, this information is of crucial importance. If this attracts you, then you can find out about booking your appointment here. The better you are informed, the faster we can focus on you and your wishes.

To make an appointment, you can preferably contact me by e-mail (mail@noack-hypnose.de) or by using the contact form (privacy policy) as well as by phone 01577 704 53 56 or 030 - 864 213 69. You will then receive a confirmation of your reservation by e-mail. In this reply, you will find the details for the first session. This usually happens within 24 hours. If you do not receive a reply, it could be because an email has ended up in the spam filter. In such a case, please call me.

There are only a few practice hours available, and they want to be used well. The fee for individual session hours is therefore always to be paid in full by bank transfer, with payment received at least 7 days before the session.

Why at least 7 days in advance? I would like to do it differently, but this is the best practice. Appointments that have not been confirmed with payment received seven days in advance are noticeably more likely to be canceled. And the repeated callbacks take up a lot of time. Because of this, I'm currently faced with the decision of whether and how to either significantly adjust fees to absorb this or to consistently organize in a way that is fair to all parties. Because of this, I am also offering options in terms of shifting appointments with the fees.

There is a maximum of 20 hours a week available for psychotherapy, and any canceled appointment means patients are unable to benefit from psychotherapy help. I understand that it would be more convenient for you otherwise, but this solution is the fairest for all involved.

You can use real-time bank transfer (costs 25 Ct. at Sparkasse Berlin, for example) for time-sensitive appointments, and the transfer takes a few minutes, or we can make an appointment with appropriate advance preparation. If this is not an option for you, please let me know immediately so that I can assign your appointment. Otherwise, I appreciate your understanding and look forward to intensive cooperation.

You are not in Berlin or prefer an alternative instead of coming to me?

You are not in Berlin or do not want or cannot come to the practice for other reasons? Then it is worth reading the following information about the options:

a. Travel to Berlin

For clients traveling to Berlin, there is the possibility, if booked in advance, to hold 2 sessions on the same day. It should be discussed in advance by telephone whether this is a recommendable option, as it requires appropriate prerequisites. Any sources of additional pressure should be avoided in the interest of the therapeutic success.

Here you will find further information when considering to travel to me in Berlin.

b. Online sessions

At times a personal meeting is not possible. In such cases, a telephone session or a session with video support via the Internet is an alternative or supplement. I have been using this setting for many years, and many clients have achieved excellent results with it. These experiences make it easy to achieve very intensive sessions in this way as well. You are more flexible and can also use my support very promptly. There are currently reduced fees for such sessions.

You are also on the safe side regarding the coronavirus. By the way, this is also an option if you should be unexpectedly unable to attend a session personally.​

Preparation for the first session

With the confirmation of your appointment, you will receive recommendations on how to prepare for your first session with me. With your appointment confirmation, you will receive recommendations on how to prepare for your first session with me. You will also get an overview of what to consider regarding the Coronavirus during in-office appointments and how to prepare best for online sessions.​

The first session: Step by step 

The optimal prerequisites are set right at the beginning. In the first meeting, we create the basis for intensive cooperation. Step by step:

1. Preparation

The first session is generally 90 minutes so that there is enough time for an in-depth preliminary discussion, in which we can clarify questions. Then we begin with a detailed dialogue, with the anamnesis, in order to adapt the therapeutic plan individually to your personal needs. For this purpose, we define your goals and motives and discuss the steps.

2. First intervention

As soon as you are ready for it, we get to work. You set the pace. In the second part of the session, we figure out the easiest way to get you into a comfortable, relaxed hypnotic state. You will experience an introductory trance. This enables access to your unconscious and permits initial suggestions. How far we proceed with this in the first session will be determined by your reactions. Finally, I gently lead you out of the trance.

3. Evaluation, options, and outlook

Following the first trance, I will respond to your questions, and we will discuss how to proceed with your hypnotherapy. In most cases, you will receive recommendations you can apply to complement and enhance the work we do together, even beyond the sessions. It is crucial that you not only feel better in the session, but also have an improvement in your everyday life. The more effectively we work together, the sooner I make myself superfluous as your therapist. That's it!

Self-hypnosis  

When appropriate, I will teach you self-hypnosis to complement the hypnosis sessions. Self-hypnosis is a tool to control unconscious processes and thus mental states by yourself.

After you enjoyed positive trance experiences with my support, you can learn self-hypnosis very quickly. This helps you to progress self-determined. It accelerates the process, deepens, and consolidates what has been achieved in the therapy sessions. Your autonomy is thus fostered. A good therapist makes himself superfluous as soon as possible. Self-hypnosis is an excellent method of self-help that can be used beyond the actual issue.

Just ask me personally.

Let's talk. Please read the privacy policy. If you are interested, you can contact me for questions and appointments via this contact form or by e-mail (mail@berlin-hypnosis.com), phone 030/86421369, and mobile phone 01577/7045356. The best time to contact me by telephone is Monday to Thursday between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm. During sessions, there is an answering machine. Leave a message and your phone number in Germany, and I'll call you back as soon as possible. Make sure I understand what you are asking for.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions, such as fees, on the home page. There are also lots of articles and details about me (profile) to help you get an idea of who I am. This will also make it easier for you to decide if I am the right therapist for you and your problem.

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Be sure to read the following notice

Before contacting me, please read the detailed information about fees, booking, contraindications to hypnotherapy and answers to other frequently asked questions (FAQ).

These pages are intended to provide information for those interested in psychotherapy using hypnotherapy. It is not intended to replace psychotherapy or personal consultation, examination or diagnosis by a licensed medical practitioner. I am not a medical doctor. I specialize in helping people with anxiety and anxiety disorders. The profession of a hypnotherapist (official license to practice psychotherapy according to the HPG) is fundamentally different from that of a medical doctor. Medical diagnoses are not made, nor are promises of healing made or medication prescribed. Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric intervention where this is required.

If you have any questions about psychotherapy with hypnosis, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to inform you.

Articles

Published: March 12, 2007
Author: Karsten Noack
Revision: August 15, 2023
Translation: May 26, 2008
German version: 
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AN: #34300