Do I have emetophobia? Take the test at the private practice of online psychologist Patric Pförtner.
Psychologist Patric Pförtner

Patric Pförtner

M.Sc. Psychologist, Doctoral Researcher

Test: Do I have emetophobia?

Vomiting — your own or someone else's — is an unpleasant moment for most people and often connected with feelings of disgust. Emetophobia, however, is more than the natural aversion to vomiting — it is an exaggerated or irrational fear, even panic, of vomiting, which can severely restrict everyday life.

Typical signs of emetophobia can include:

  • intense fear of one's own or others' vomiting,
  • avoidance of situations that could be associated with vomiting,
  • excessive checking of food and its shelf life,
  • panic attacks at nausea or at the sight of people who might be nauseated,
  • restrictions in social life (e.g. avoiding restaurants, travel or crowds).

This anxiety disorder can lead to considerable restrictions in everyday life — through avoidance of certain situations or excessive precautions. However, emetophobia responds well to professional help.

Originally written in German — read the original here: Emetophobie-Test.

Emetophobia Test: 15 Questions

All questions refer to the last 14 days. The answer options are scaled like a grading system — the first option counts as one point, the last as five. Choose one answer per question and click Evaluate Now at the end.

1. Are you afraid of vomiting?

2. Are you afraid that other people around you might vomit?

3. Do you avoid conversations, films or texts dealing with the topic of vomiting?

4. Do you avoid places where people might frequently get sick, like parties or fairs?

5. Do you closely monitor yourself to see whether you feel unwell or nauseated?

6. Do you avoid foods that you feel unsure might trigger nausea?

7. Do you eat nothing before important appointments to avoid possible nausea?

8. Do you avoid eating out because you're unsure whether the food is hygienic?

9. In every situation, do you look for escape routes or toilets in case you feel sick?

10. Do you often feel you cannot escape your fear?

11. Do you avoid social plans for fear of feeling unwell?

12. Do you always carry anti-nausea medication or other aids in case of nausea?

13. Do you constantly check the use-by date of food before eating it?

14. Do you avoid travel for fear of motion sickness or possible infections?

15. Have you experienced physical symptoms such as a racing heart or sweating when you think of nausea?

This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional — such as a doctor, psychiatrist or psychotherapist — can advise you on the next steps.

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"Most arguments aren't the argument you think you're having."
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Psychologist Patric Pförtner is a registered full member of the BDP

Quality seal for psychological counselling awarded by the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP).

 Registered full member of the BDP

Registered full member of the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP).

 Online psychological counselling quality seal

For my work, the BDP has awarded me the "Counselling by Psychologists" quality mark.