A Transdiagnostic Approach to the Treatment of Emetophobia: A Single Case Study

Abstract

The fear of vomiting (i.e., Emetophobia) causes substantial distress for affected individuals, and is associated with hypervigilance to somatic sensations, panic attacks, and behavioral avoidance. Interventions for Emetophobia have traditionally relied heavily on exposure to vomit, vomiting, and vomit-related cues, providing some challenges in identifying appropriate graded exposures for Emetophobia due to medical and hygiene concerns. Recent efforts have been made to treat psychopathology transdiagnostically; however, very few efforts have been made to reduce Emetophobia symptoms in such a fashion, without the explicit use of vomit-related exposures. The current case study describes the cognitive-behavioral, transdiagnostic treatment approach utilized to treat a young woman with Emetophobia. We report significant symptom reduction at the end of therapy, as well as at a 7-month follow-up. The current study provides further evidence that emetophobia can be effectively resolved utilizing transdiagnostic strategies and without direct exposure to vomit or vomit-like stimuli. Keywords specific phobia/phobia, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Case Study of Clinical Behavior Analysis for a 20-Year-Old Client With Emetophobia

“…Bogusch, Moeller, and O’Brien (2018) reported a case in which ACT was applied to emetophobia (it was the first case report of ACT for emetophobia). In addition, some case studies that used traditional CBT interventions for emetophobia have been reported (Dargis & Burk, 2018; Fix, Proctor, & Gray, 2016; Kobori, 2011). While Kobori (2011) involved a Japanese client, to the best of my knowledge, ACT and CBA have not been used for emetophobia in the Asian context.…”

“…Most case studies (e.g., Dargis & Burk, 2018; Fix et al, 2016; Kobori, 2011) are based on traditional CBTs or exposure models that assume emotions (e.g., fear and anxieties), cognitions, memories, and body sensations can be controlled and set a treatment goal to reduce symptoms. However, this type of traditional goal setting could be problematic.…”

“…There are two main recommendations regarding the process of clinical practice for clinicians and students. First, repeatedly measuring the client’s progress (e.g., Dargis & Burk, 2018; Fix et al, 2016; Kobori, 2011) is useful for clinical decision making. In this case, symptom measures were taken repeatedly throughout the sessions and two process measures were taken repeatedly after the intervention phase.…”

Emetophobie: Die spezifische Phobie des Erbrechens – ein Case Report

“…Die Emetophobie ist eine noch wenig erforschte Erkrankung [5]. Man weiß jedoch, dass die Phobie vor dem Erbrechen mehr Frauen als Männer betrifft [6]. Die Erkrankung verläuft meist chronisch und hält über Jahre oder ein Leben lang an [7].…”