Help For Emetophobia In Highly Sensitive And Anxious Children

As a Psychotherapist and Coach experienced in supporting highly sensitive and anxious children, I understand the unique challenges that emetophobia can pose for them and their families.

Based In Cheltenham And Also Working Effectively With Families Online

I specialise in providing effective strategies and support tailored to overcoming emetophobia, helping children to navigate their thoughts and emotions and build rock-solid resilience.

What Is Emetophobia?

Emetophobia is an intense fear of either vomiting themselves or seeing others being sick, that can cause a child to feel anxious even when the risk of vomiting is very low.

The child may constantly fear the worst, avoid certain foods or situations, engage in obsessive ‘safety’ behaviours such as excessive hand washing, and seek constant reassurance from those around them. 

The Link Between Emetophobia And Being A Highly Sensitive Child

1. Heightened Sensitivity to Bodily Sensations:

Highly sensitive individuals are often acutely aware of their physical sensations, noticing slight changes in their bodies that others might overlook. This leads to increased anxiety about the possibility of vomiting which can trigger or worsen sensations of nausea or discomfort.

2. Emotional Intensity and Anxiety:

The anxiety or fear associated with vomiting is likely to be experienced much more intensely for highly sensitive children, making emetophobia a more significant issue for them compared to others.

3. Overstimulation and Fear of the Uncontrollable:

Highly sensitive children often feel overwhelmed by chaotic or unpredictable situations. The experience of vomiting, which can feel unpredictable and uncontrollable, may be especially distressing for them, increasing the likelihood of developing a phobia around it.

In my experience, there is often a traumatic event related to vomiting that triggered the onset of the phobia.

4. Emotional and Sensory Overload:

Vomiting can be a highly sensory experience filled with unpleasant tastes, smells, and physical sensations. For a highly sensitive child these overwhelming sensory aspects play a significant role in the development of fear.

Further Causes Of Emetophobia In Children

Broader anxiety issues

Emetophobia can develop in children who are already very anxious, especially those who with anxiety around health or cleanliness, where vomiting is perceived as messy or unpredictable.

Fear of losing control in public

The fear of losing control or feeling embarrassed in public can contribute to the development and continuation of emetophobia.

Many of my clients with experience of being sick in front of others, had huge feelings of shame underlying their fear. Processing and releasing this is central to change.

Perfectionism or Control Issues

I commonly see a strong need for control or perfectionism in my young clients with emetophobia.

Vomiting being such an unexpected and uncontrollable event, represents a situation where they lose control of their body, leading to immense fear about the possibility of being sick.

Fear of Illness:

A child’s fear of vomiting may stem from a fear of catching bugs, eating undercooked or spoiled food, or becoming ill in general. This leads them to obsessively avoid or control situations where they think they might get sick.

Overcoming Emetophobia In Your Child

Emetophobia is essentially their brain's attempt to keep them safe from something that feels overwhelmingly threatening. Oftentimes this stems from a traumatic earlier experience of vomiting.

Whilst this fear has a ‘label’, it’s crucial to view it as a creation of your child’s mind rather than something that’s ‘wrong’ with them. 

Seeing their fear as happening within them rather than happening to them is a distinction that allows them to have much more power over it on this journey to healing.

Next Steps For Support

The sooner you seek support for your child’s emetophobia the better. Together we can work towards understanding and overcoming these fears.

As a trauma-informed Psychotherapist and Family Coach based in Cheltenham UK, I focus on not only addressing your child’s current challenges but also healing any underlying traumatic experiences that may underpin their fear.

My unique approach brings awareness to the often overlooked impact of being highly sensitive, helping both children and adults understand these nuances better.

I can work with you both in person if you’re near Cheltenham, UK, or online, so your child’s in the comfort of their own home.

I can support your child directly to overcome their struggles, but what also distinguishes my approach is that I can also empower you as the parent with the knowledge and tools you need to support your child’s progress at home.

Research as well as my own experience shows that a significant portion of success in overcoming emetophobia comes from how parents manage situations and emotions at home.

Ready To Take The Next Step?

I understand that the journey has been challenging for you and your child, and you deserve the best support possible. I’m here to help.

Contact me today to get the ball rolling and to let the transformation begin.