The recent outbreak of stomach bugs is a problem for those suffering with emetophobia – or the fear of being sick.

According to the International Emetophobia Society the fear of being sick is the fifth most common phobia. It is an extremely debilitating and disabling condition. An Emetophobes life is dominated by irrational thoughts and actions. Sadly, some women even deny themselves motherhood for fear of morning sickness and some sufferers become housebound. Emetophobia is rarely spoken of partly because of the nature of the subject - it is unpleasant and 'dirty' and victims are acutely embarrassed. Also, fear of being sick is often 'cloaked' by another phobias. Many people come to me for help with fear of flying, but during therapy, it emerges that their fear is not of flying, but of being sick and embarrassed. Courses to conquer fear of flying often concentrate on the safety of planes. But reassurances about physics and the mechanics of planes don't help an emetophobe. Claustrophobia and social phobias are other examples of fears that 'cloak' emetophobia, if I ask: "Why don't you like crowded rooms?" the reply might be: "If I feel sick, I can't get out in time and I'll throw up in front of everybody!"

I have treated many emetophobes and people with symptoms of emetophobia and the fear of being sick at my hypnotherapy clinics near Norwich, Norfolk and Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Most sufferers are female who have had symptoms since their youth. Some have wasted years avoiding situations where either they or someone around them could become ill. Because of the extreme lengths they go to avoid sickness most of my clients have not been sick since childhood. Indeed most boast how long it is since the last time they were sick. Those with a mild phobia have anxious thoughts while eating. Some suffer so severely they refuse to leave their home. Some sufferers experience discomfort almost all the time, others just in response to direct stimuli. Sometimes the phobia hides for years until something triggers it to show itself.
Typically an emetophobe displays some or all of the following tendencies:

• Probably female, below average weight.
• Eats out in restaurants very rarely and when doing so is very choosy - avoiding chicken, spicy or unusual cuisines.
• Does not drink or restricts themselves to a single glass of wine.
• Does not like pubs or clubs
• Dislikes dinner parties, weddings, social events and crowded rooms which can lead to anxiety / panic attacks.
• Eat little in public and sit near a door.
• Frequently checks sell-by dates on food packaging
• Avoids flying and travelling by boat.
• Avoids public transport, preferring to travel by car and drive
• If they can visit a cinema / theatre, they would insist on sitting at the end of a row.
• Avoids pregnancy fearing morning sickness and also fear of having a child and not being able to care for them if they were to become sick.
• Avoids anyone with a real or imagined sickness bug - either within their own environment or in public places.
• Very aware of vomit on pavements

Pure Hypnoanalysis (hypnosis combined with analytical therapy) is used get to the root cause of the problem and can resolve the symptoms completely and permanently.
I believe Pure Hypnoanalysis to be the most effective and efficient form of psychotherapy/hypnotherapy available for almost all psychological, emotional and stress-related symptoms.
Pure Hypnoanalysis creates a safe, trusting and confidential environment where the minds natural therapeutic process can work. This form of hypnotherapy can totally resolve the cause of unconscious anxieties and fears- leaving the sufferer free of their symptoms for life!

Clinic Details

I provide hypnotherapy consultations at the following location:

It is perfectly natural that you may have questions about hypnotherapy and it is really easy to book your free assessment consultation.

Just call reception 01953 861210

or if you prefer to call my direct line 07919 418815 - and feel free to leave a confidential message on the answerphone.

Alternatively, you can email me at: ruth@angliahypnotherapy.co.uk