“If you’re living with OCD or emetophobia and are struggling to find a way forward, please know that there is hope—and help. This programme gave me back my life.“
A former patient of the OCD and related disorders unit shares their experience seeking help for emetophobia at Nightingale Hospital.
Fear of vomiting, known as emetophobia, is estimated to affect up to 8% of the population. However, specific statistics for the UK are difficult to determine, as the condition is often underreported or goes undiagnosed.
20 years of emetophobia and then, Nightingale
I came to the OCD and related disorders unit after suffering from emetophobia for over 20 years. I wasn’t able to go to work, complete my studies, or even go a day without a panic attack.
The treatment here was hard work and I really had to face my fears head-on, but I am so glad that I did. The staff are experts in emetophobia and supported me every step of the way. I’ve been able to achieve things I never even dreamed of, reduced my panic attacks, and got my confidence back. I am leaving here with friends for life, and hope that I can create a life worth living.
My stay here has been outstanding. The team on the OCD ward have literally changed my life and given me the confidence to keep going. All of them are so dedicated to their work and their patients.
This programme can change lives—please keep it going. It is so needed, and I hope other emetophobes will find this place. Amazing hospital, amazing staff, life-changing treatment programme.
Collaborative care that changed everything
My therapist was really good at problem-solving with me and helping me understand the maintaining factors for my OCD. I always felt that the sessions were collaborative, well-structured, and tailored to my individual needs.
From day one, I was encouraged to involve my family in my care. My mum was invited to every clinical review, we had joint sessions, and the team were always happy to share resources and advice with her so she could support me as well.
The ERP groups were well-structured and created a really supportive therapeutic environment. The team of therapists and nurses made sure everyone was able to engage in the groups, and I always felt comfortable being open and confident I would receive the right support. Drama therapy and music therapy were really lovely additions to the programme. These groups allowed us to be expressive and work through emotions, while also having fun. The facilitators created an atmosphere where I felt free to be myself.
Having ERP group every day kept the focus on treating my OCD, which was very important to me. I also loved the community outings—they helped us apply what we were learning in real-life settings, build stronger relationships, and feel more connected. The creative groups were another highlight that all of the patients looked forward to.
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The heart of the care
The nursing team are exceptional. They provided me with the highest quality of care throughout my stay. They are so understanding, compassionate, supportive, and kind. They work closely with the therapy team to gain an understanding of our problems and consistently acted in line with my treatment plan. They have so much knowledge and expertise in OCD and I always felt comfortable sharing anything with them.
Most of the nursing staff were really engaged in the ERP process and great at encouraging me to push myself. They have a very good understanding of OCD, and I always felt supported in the ERP sessions.
More than a ward—A community
The OCD ward has the best ward environment and culture that I have ever experienced as an inpatient. All the staff and patients work together as a team, creating a really collaborative, patient-centred environment. The patients are encouraged to support each other and hold each other accountable, and the friendships I made here played a huge part in my treatment.
The staff were professional but also down to earth, understanding, and genuinely compassionate. Overall, the ward is genuinely an amazing place to go through what is undoubtedly a challenging but transformative journey.
Professor David Veale, the Lead consultant psychiatrist for OCD and related disorders at Nightingale Hospital and a leading international expert on emetophobia, recently spoke about this extreme fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit. You can read more about it here.
Emetophobia treatment at Nightingale Hosptial
Emetophobia is an extreme fear of vomiting, seeing vomit, watching other people vomit, or even feeling sick. It is a type of anxiety disorder that can occur alongside other mental health conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). While it can be debilitating, Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been proven to be an effective and lasting treatment for emetophobia.
Cognitive behavioural therapy – or CBT – is a ‘talking and doing’ therapy that aims to reduce psychological distress by working with people’s thoughts and actions. The way someone feels about vomiting may be down to the associations that they have made with the action in the past.
CBT for emetophobia, therefore, involves helping to test out your expectations and learn to tolerate your distress. This means facing up to your fears.
Research has shown that CBT is an effective treatment for emetophobia. In emetophobia, people usually believe those body sensations are a sign that vomiting is about to happen, that they will lose control and that vomiting will be totally hideous. People with emetophobia often want to know for certain that they will not vomit. Such thinking styles are associated with extreme anxiety, safety-seeking behaviours, and avoidance. CBT aims to help reverse these patterns of thinking and behaving.
At Nightingale Hospital, we offer specialist inpatient treatment for OCD and related disorders, including emetophobia. Our dedicated team of therapists and clinical staff provide intensive, tailored support in a compassionate and professional environment on the OCD unit.
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Professor David Veale
Lead consultant for OCD and related disorders at Nightingale Hospital
