Emetophobia appears to be the most common specific phobia that requires treatment

TL;DR

Emetophobia, the fear of vomiting, is found to be the most common specific phobia requiring treatment, despite being less studied.

Contribution

The study highlights emetophobia as the most prevalent specific phobia among those seeking treatment, distinguishing it from other phobias.

Findings

Emetophobia is more common among treatment-seeking individuals than other specific phobias.

People with emetophobia differ from others with specific phobias in characteristics like gender ratio and treatment setting.

Emetophobia is more impairing and thus more likely to require treatment compared to other specific phobias.

Abstract

Emetophobia is a specific fear of vomiting. Although it is a relatively unknown anxiety disorder that has received limited attention in research, many psychotherapists are familiar with it because they frequently encounter persons with emetophobia in clinical practice. While animal-related phobias are the most common specific phobias in general, a recent study by Veale and colleagues (2025) suggests that, among persons seeking treatment for specific phobias, emetophobia appears to be the most prevalent. Furthermore, the study indicates that persons with emetophobia differ from those with other specific phobias (e.g. in terms of gender ratio or treatment setting). These findings dovetail with results from other recent studies suggesting that emetophobia may be a more impairing disorder and is, therefore, more likely to require treatment than other specific phobias.

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