Emetophobia: Preliminary results of an internet survey

Through electronic mail, we surveyed members of an internet support group f or emetophobia (fear of vomiting). Respondents were 50 women and 6 men with a mean age of 31 years. Results suggest that, for this sample, emetophobia is a disorder of early onset and chronic course, with highly persistent an d intrusive symptoms. Emetophobia is implicated in social, home-marital, an d occupational impairment and it causes significant constriction of leisure activities. Nearly half of women avoided or delayed becoming pregnant. Abo ut three quarters of respondents have eating rituals or significantly limit the foods they eat. Respondents describe other problems such as depression , panic attacks, social anxiety, compulsions, and frequent history of child hood separation anxiety. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.