The Emetophobia Free Podcast

I don't know who I would be without Emetophobia: Emetophobia and the Identity Crisis

This episode centres around the concept of Emetophobia forming part of a person's identity. Identity as defined by Erikson, E. H. (1968), is a coherent sense of self that develops over time.  Once a person has created Emetophobia, it can become all consuming very quickly so that many people start to identify as 'an emetophobe' and then struggle to understand or ever imagine who they could be without it. Research suggests the mean onset of Emetophobia is age 11 and, if left untreated, almost always continues into adulthood. Meaning by the time they seek treatment, many people have suffered for many years of their life and the fear becomes part of who they identify as.  As humans we have around 50,000 thoughts a day and for an emetophobia sufferer, around 45,000 of those thoughts are directly or indirectly linked to Emetophobia. This means that they start to perceive the fear as part of themselves; they are someone with Emetophobia or 'an emetophobe' rather than seeing the fear as simply something they are currently creating. Erin describes her journey with Emetophobia and how her identity was shaped by her struggle. Her parents introduced her as 'shy' and in her younger years she became friends with another girl who also suffered with Emetophobia and they created a shared sense of humour around their phobia.  At one point Erin struggled to foresee a version of herself without Emetophobia. However, as she worked through the Emetophobia-Free programme, she began to understand that her identity wasn't linked to Emetophobia.  Erin has now liberated herself from her 'emetophobe' identity.  Erin describes her identity now is an ex-emetophobe, a dance teacher and a thriving person! She now sees her identity as something that is never static, something to nurture, develop and grow and something she excited to keep exploring! She knows she can create whatever identity she wants for herself - she is the author of her own narrative! Find out more: https://www.emetophobiafree.org https://linktr.ee/emetophobia Connect with us at the links below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emetophobiafree/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emetophobiafree TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCF6vCMhoF98TKKe7DKBlfgw  Thanks for watching :) ------------------------ Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting/sickness: either yourself, other people, or both. Research suggests 0.1 to 8.8% percent of the population have a fear of being sick (Hout & Bouman, 2011). Emetophobia is a debilitating phobia, which significantly impacts your life: sufferers are chronically anxious and go to great lengths to avoid encountering anything sickness-related, which provides temporary relief but often results in a rollercoaster of anxiety, fear and exhaustion. Issues associated with emetophobia include: OCD, eating difficulties, anxiety-related gastric problems, phagophobia, tocophobia and more. Our goal is to raise awareness of this severe phobia and provide a solution for sufferers and their families.   You do not need to live with Emetophobia - you can COMPLETELY overcome it. The Thrive Programme for Emetophobia (also known as Emetophobia-Free) is the single most successful and predictable method for getting rid of your emetophobia. It has helped over 20,000 emetophobes around the world overcome their phobia. You can study the programme at home by yourself wi...

Emetofobie overwinnen zonder exposure: hoe Sophie en Lisanne dit deden en nu anderen helpen

In deze eerste Nederlandstalige podcast over emetofobie delen Thrive Programme coaches Lisanne Prooij en Sophie Hintzbergen hun inspirerende verhalen over het overwinnen van hun extreme angst voor overgeven. Zij weten als geen ander hoe het is om met emetofobie te leven en niet volledig begrepen te worden door je omgeving. Lisanne ontwikkelde emetofobie op haar 15e. De constante angst voor buikgriep en voedselvergiftiging, overmatig handen wassen, en obsessief op letten bij eten maakten dat ze nooit echt kon genieten. Bij Sophie kwam de angst in vlagen vanaf haar 7e, maar pas tijdens haar studententijd - na een paniekaanval waarbij ze dacht te moeten overgeven - speelde emetofobie een steeds grotere rol in haar dagelijks leven. Sophie probeerde verschillende vormen van emetofobie therapie: cognitieve gedragstherapie (CGT), EMDR en zelfs exposure therapie, maar niets hielp echt. Reguliere emetofobie behandeling schoot tekort. Lisanne durfde niet aan haar ouders te vertellen over haar angst en zocht zelf hulp. Beiden vonden uiteindelijk The Thrive Programme en gingen er vol voor.  Sinds het volgen van The Thrive Programme zijn Lisanne en Sophie hun emetofobie helemaal overkomen. Niet meer nadenken over eten, rustig met het OV kunnen, op vakantie durven en ervan genieten, hoe het leven bedoeld is! Het leven zonder emetofobie is vrij van die constante zorgen en angsten die je stoppen om je leven te leven op de manier die je graag zou willen.  Kom met ons in contact: https://www.thriveprogramme.org/coaches/ [https://www.thriveprogramme.org/coaches/] Find out more: https://www.emetophobiafree.org https://linktr.ee/emetophobia Connect with us at the links below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emetophobiafree/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emetophobiafree TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCF6vCMhoF98TKKe7DKBlfgw  Thanks for watching :) ------------------------ Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting/sickness: either yourself, other people, or both. Research suggests 0.1 to 8.8% percent of the population have a fear of being sick (Hout & Bouman, 2011). Emetophobia is a debilitating phobia, which significantly impacts your life: sufferers are chronically anxious and go to great lengths to avoid encountering anything sickness-related, which provides temporary relief but often results in a rollercoaster of anxiety, fear and exhaustion. Issues associated with emetophobia include: OCD, eating difficulties, anxiety-related gastric problems, phagophobia, tocophobia and more. Our goal is to raise awareness of this severe phobia and provide a solution for sufferers and their families.   You do not need to live with Emetophobia - you can COMPLETELY overcome it. The Thrive Programme for Emetophobia (also known as Emetophobia-Free) is the single most successful and predictable method for getting rid of your emetophobia. It has helped over 20,000 emetophobes around the world overcome their phobia. You can study the programme at home by yourself wi...

The Language That Fuels Emetophobia and How to Change It

How often do you tell yourself: “I can’t handle this” or “That would be absolutely awful”?  Once a day? Ten times? Every time you feel slightly nauseous? In this episode, Michelle Johnson and Samantha Marker explore how language quietly fuels emetophobia and how changing your words can begin changing your fear. Because your inner voice isn’t just background noise… it’s running the whole show.  Emetophobia isn’t maintained by physical sensations; it’s maintained by the meaning we attach to them. When nausea is labelled as “dangerous,” “unbearable,” or “a catastrophe,” the brain and body react accordingly. Over time, those repeated phrases become beliefs and beliefs shape behaviour. 👉 The Catastrophic Language Loop Many emetophobes don’t realise how extreme their internal dialogue has become. Words like 'always, never, unbearable, dangerous, worst-case scenario' creep in automatically. The brain hears those cues and responds with urgency. Anxiety rises. Physical sensations intensify. The language becomes more dramatic. And the cycle continues.The first step? Self-awareness. Noticing what you’re saying to yourself without judgement. Because you can’t change language you’re not conscious of. 👉 The Influence of Media & External Voices It’s not just your inner voice. Headlines, social media posts, and dramatic storytelling often distort and amplify perceived risk. Words like “outbreak,” “spreading rapidly,” or “highly contagious” can create disproportionate fear. When you’re already sensitive to sickness-related cues, this language hits harder. Learning to question these messages - and to respond with balanced, critical thinking -  reduces their emotional impact. 👉 Rewording for Resilience Rewording doesn’t mean forced positivity. It means accuracy. Instead of: “This is unbearable.” Try: “This feels uncomfortable, but I can cope.”Instead of: “I'd rather die than be sick.”Try: “Being sick is unpleasant and uncomfortable but it is temporary and it would pass.”  Your words shape your beliefs. Your beliefs shape your reactions. Change the language first - and the mindset will follow. Find out more: https://www.emetophobiafree.org https://linktr.ee/emetophobia Connect with us at the links below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emetophobiafree/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emetophobiafree TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCF6vCMhoF98TKKe7DKBlfgw Thanks for watching :) ------------------------ Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting/sickness: either yourself, other people, or both. Research suggests 0.1 to 8.8% percent of the population have a fear of being sick (Hout & Bouman, 2011). Emetophobia is a debilitating phobia, which significantly impacts your life: sufferers are chronically anxious and go to great lengths to avoid encountering anything sickness-related, which provides temporary relief but often results in a rollercoaster of anxiety, fear and exhaustion. Issues associated with emetophobia include: OCD, eating difficulties, anxiety-related gastric problems, phagophobia, tocophobia and more. Our goal is to raise awareness of this severe phobia and provide a solution for sufferers and their families. You do not need to live with Emetophobia - you can COMPLETELY overcome it. The Thrive Programme for Emetophobia (also known as Emetophobia-Free) is the single most successful and predictable method for getting rid of your emetophobia. It has helped over 20,000 emetophobes around the world overcome their phobia. You can study the programme at home by yourself wit...

Exercise and Emetophobia - How to reclaim your fitness!

Do you avoid exercise because of your fear of being sick? Do you fear you will accidentally push yourself too hard and vomit?  Or do you fear you will see someone else be sick while exercising? Do you also find exercise disheartening because you never feel fit enough or good enough? This episodes delves into the relationship between emetophobia and exercise. Michelle Johnson is joined this week by ex semi-professional football player and ex-emetophobe, Sophie Lee. Sophie shares her personal journey with emetophobia, highlighting how her early love for sports, particularly football, helped her maintain a positive relationship with exercise despite her fear. The conversation emphasises the unique experiences of emetophobia sufferers, noting that not everyone struggles with exercise in the same way.  The episode covers various tips for easing back into exercise. Michelle and Sophie discuss how certain bodily symptoms such as an increased heart-rate and sweating are symptoms of both exercise and anxiety. This can lead some emetophobia sufferers to avoid  exercise as they mis-read their bodily signals and label them as dangerous instead of a normal bodily response to increased activity. Michelle and Sophie discuss easing back into exercise slowly, finding activities you actually enjoy, and challenging perfectionist thinking.  The discussion also touches on social confidence in gym settings, encouraging listeners to focus on their own experiences rather than others' perceptions. Overall, the episode serves as a motivational guide for emetophobia sufferers seeking to reclaim their relationship with exercise and improve their mental and physical well-being. Find out more: https://www.emetophobiafree.org https://linktr.ee/emetophobia Connect with us at the links below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emetophobiafree/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emetophobiafree TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCF6vCMhoF98TKKe7DKBlfgw Thanks for watching :) ------------------------ Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting/sickness: either yourself, other people, or both. Research suggests 0.1 to 8.8% percent of the population have a fear of being sick (Hout & Bouman, 2011). Emetophobia is a debilitating phobia, which significantly impacts your life: sufferers are chronically anxious and go to great lengths to avoid encountering anything sickness-related, which provides temporary relief but often results in a rollercoaster of anxiety, fear and exhaustion. Issues associated with emetophobia include: OCD, eating difficulties, anxiety-related gastric problems, phagophobia, tocophobia and more. Our goal is to raise awareness of this severe phobia and provide a solution for sufferers and their families. You do not need to live with Emetophobia - you can COMPLETELY overcome it. The Thrive Programme for Emetophobia (also known as Emetophobia-Free) is the single most successful and predictable method for getting rid of your emetophobia. It has helped over 20,000 emetophobes around the world overcome their phobia. You can study the programme at home by yourself wit...

Reclaim your Christmas: Navigating the festive season with Emetophobia

In this festive episode, Coaches Michelle Johnson and Joy Ferguson discuss specific strategies for managing emetophobia during Christmas gatherings. They emphasise the importance of understanding that emetophobia is not actually about sickness, but rather an interplay of limiting beliefs and thinking styles that can be tackled without exposure.  The conversation covers practical tips for setting boundaries, managing expectations, and focusing on positive experiences. The hosts encourage listeners to use their imagination to visualise a successful gathering, challenge catastrophic thoughts, and practice self-compassion. Ultimately, the episode aims to empower emetophobia sufferers to enjoy the festive season despite their fears. Takeaways: Social anxiety is a significant factor in emetophobia. Setting boundaries is crucial for managing emotions during gatherings. It's important to take the pressure off yourself during events. Focusing on positives can enhance your experience. Using your imagination powerfully prepares you for a successful gathering. Challenging catastrophic thoughts is essential for coping. Catching and praising yourself when creating anxiety is key. You have the right to take breaks during social events. You are enough; you don't have to prove anything. Find out more: https://www.emetophobiafree.org https://linktr.ee/emetophobia Connect with us at the links below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emetophobiafree/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emetophobiafree TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCF6vCMhoF98TKKe7DKBlfgw Thanks for watching :) ------------------------ Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting/sickness: either yourself, other people, or both. Research suggests 0.1 to 8.8% percent of the population have a fear of being sick (Hout & Bouman, 2011). Emetophobia is a debilitating phobia, which significantly impacts your life: sufferers are chronically anxious and go to great lengths to avoid encountering anything sickness-related, which provides temporary relief but often results in a rollercoaster of anxiety, fear and exhaustion. Issues associated with emetophobia include: OCD, eating difficulties, anxiety-related gastric problems, phagophobia, tocophobia and more. Our goal is to raise awareness of this severe phobia and provide a solution for sufferers and their families. You do not need to live with Emetophobia - you can COMPLETELY overcome it. The Thrive Programme for Emetophobia (also known as Emetophobia-Free) is the single most successful and predictable method for getting rid of your emetophobia. It has helped over 20,000 emetophobes around the world overcome their phobia. You can study the programme at home by yourself wit...