Dimensions of living with emetophobia

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present an examination of selected literature about the lived experiences of those with emetophobia. Its intention is to inform further empirical enquiry and subsequent approaches to treatment and care aimed at inclusive support for sufferers. To that end, it is important to bring the sufferers’ narrative into public and professional domains.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search of multiple databases using the search engine Discover@bolton and grey literature was undertaken to obtain evidence about the lived experiences of people with emetophobia. The search terms used were “emetophobia” and combinations of associated topic phrases using Boolean operators (AND / OR): “Emetophobia” OR “fear of vomiting” OR “fear of being sick”, Emetophobia AND “lived experiences” and finally Emetophobia OR “fear of vomiting” OR “fear of being sick” AND “lived experiences”. Eight papers were included in the review and five items of grey literature.

Findings

Several themes were identified in this literature including fear, escape and avoidance, other influences, consequences and medicalisation. The findings reveal that the experiences of those with emetophobia are subsumed beneath a focus on diagnosis and treatment. When it comes to understanding the actual lived experience of a person with emetophobia, the evidence presents the reader with what treatment may work and how they might respond to it, but largely omits the voice of the individual with emetophobia. This signals a need to undertake enquiry to bring this to the fore and so inform ways of greater inclusive practice for the public and professionals alike.

Research limitations/implications

The evidence reviewed in this paper can be noted for the limited discussion about the individual’s lived experience of emetophobia. Gaining insight into this would contribute to raising awareness in a wider public arena and inform carers and healthcare professionals’ understanding. It would also display the importance of an individual context and health journey.

Practical implications

Knowing this can inform approaches to helping an individual either to live with the phobia and manage its impact on daily living (positive rather than maladaptive coping mechanisms) or to overcome it with or without adjunct medical treatment (if this is possible).

Social implications

Knowing based on contemporary empirical enquiry will inform policy and guideline development. Whatever course is taken, it must contribute to steps being taken towards achieving a better quality of life for individual sufferers. The findings of this paper likewise inform the need for further study into the individual lived experience of emetophobia.

Originality/value

This paper is original in having identified a need to bring empirical evidence of the lived experience of sufferers with emetophobia into the public and professional domain.

Citation

Kerry, H.J. and Gurbutt, R. (2024), "Dimensions of living with emetophobia", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2024-0055