At 九色视频 Therapy, we鈥檝e recently seen a noticeable increase in referrals for children and teens struggling with Emetophobia鈥攁 specific phobia characterised by an intense fear of vomiting, seeing others be sick, or feeling nauseous. It鈥檚 a condition that can be deeply distressing, not only for the child experiencing it but also for the parents, carers, and educators supporting them.
While it's normal for children to dislike being sick, Emetophobia goes far beyond that. For some young people, the fear becomes so overwhelming that it starts to shrink their world鈥攊mpacting their eating habits, social life, school attendance, and even their sense of safety in their own bodies.
So why are we seeing this rise now, and how can we best support these children?
Emetophobia is more than just a dislike of being ill. It's an anxiety disorder where the fear of vomiting becomes a driving force behind daily decisions. Children with Emetophobia might:
Avoid certain foods or entire food groups
Steer clear of social events where illness might be present
Obsessively wash hands or check expiration dates
Refuse to go to school or participate in activities like sleepovers
Experience panic attacks or high levels of distress at the thought of someone being unwell
It's important to note that many children won鈥檛鈥攐r can鈥檛鈥攁rticulate that vomiting is at the heart of their anxiety. Instead, we may see avoidance, meltdowns, tummy aches, or restrictive eating, which can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis or delayed support.
Therapists take a gentle, child-centred approach to treating Emetophobia. Therapy isn鈥檛 about jumping straight into exposure or forcing children to face their fears. It鈥檚 about building trust, safety, and understanding鈥攍aying the foundation before moving toward gradual change.
Here's how we help:
Children often struggle to describe their fears. We use creative tools鈥攍ike drawing, storytelling, and play鈥攖o help them externalise their anxiety and see it as something they can work with, not be ruled by.
Emetophobia can cause children to become hyper-vigilant about bodily sensations. Therapists can teach them how anxiety affects the body, helping them distinguish between a tummy ache caused by nerves and one caused by illness.
We support children in developing personalised coping tools鈥攍ike grounding techniques, breathing exercises, and safe scripts for anxious thoughts鈥攕o they can feel more in control when anxiety strikes.
Parents, carers, guardians and teacher play a huge role. We provide guidance on how to respond with compassion, avoid reinforcing avoidance, and create a supportive home environment that doesn鈥檛 fuel the fear.
For some children, gradual exposure to the idea of sickness is a helpful step鈥攂ut only when they鈥檙e ready. This might look like watching a scene in a film, reading a story, or having an open conversation about germs. Always at their pace.
The increase in Emetophobia referrals isn鈥檛 entirely surprising when we consider the context of the past few years:
The Pandemic: COVID-19 brought health anxieties to the forefront. Children were exposed to constant messages around illness, contagion, and hygiene. For some, this created a blueprint for anxiety that fixated on vomiting as a particularly scary symptom.
Increased Awareness: Parents and schools are becoming more attuned to children鈥檚 mental health. We鈥檙e talking more about anxiety and seeking help earlier鈥攚hich is a good thing, even if the numbers seem to rise.
Social Media and Information Overload: Children and teens are more exposed than ever to health-related content, which can amplify fears and skew perceptions of risk.
If your child or student is struggling with Emetophobia, know that you're not alone鈥攁nd neither are they. While the fear may feel irrational from the outside, it鈥檚 very real to them. Dismissing it or trying to logic it away rarely helps. What they need is connection, curiosity, and calm.
At 九色视频 Therapy, we鈥檙e here to walk that journey with you. With early intervention, the right therapeutic approach, and plenty of patience, children can move past this fear and reclaim the parts of life that anxiety has taken away.
If you鈥檇 like to speak with a therapist about Emetophobia or any anxiety-related concern, reach out to our team at 九色视频. We鈥檙e always here to listen.