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Emetophobia Questionnaire

Do you become nauseous at the thought of nausea? Take this test to find out if you have 'emetophobia.'

Mark Travers, Ph.D.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D.

January 31, 2024

Mark Travers, Ph.D., is the lead psychologist at Awake Therapy, responsible for new client intake and placement. Mark received his B.A. in psychology, magna cum laude, from Cornell University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder. His academic research has been published in leading psychology journals and has been featured in The New York Times and The New Yorker, among other popular publications. He is a regular contributor for Forbes and Psychology Today, where he writes about psycho-educational topics such as happiness, relationships, personality, and life meaning. Click here to schedule an initial consultation with Mark or another member of the Awake Therapy team. Or, you can drop him a note here.

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Emetophobia, a relatively obscure yet profoundly impactful phobia, revolves around an intense fear of nausea and vomiting. Emetophobia extends beyond the mere aversion to sickness, manifesting as a complex web of anxieties affecting various aspects of an individual's life. From avoiding specific activities and locations to meticulously planning days around their fears, emetophobia can significantly compromise one's well-being, relationships and overall quality of life.

Identifying and measuring emetophobia symptoms is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by individuals grappling with this phobia. The fear of nausea and vomiting, often unnoticed, leads sufferers to navigate life in silent distress. Recognizing symptoms goes beyond acknowledging the fear; it is a gateway to understanding its profound impact on mental health, relationships, and daily functioning. Quantifying these symptoms paves the way for targeted interventions, fostering a more compassionate approach to overcoming emetophobia.

Developed to fill the diagnostic gap, the Emetophobia Questionnaire reflects avoidance behaviors and anxieties related to the fear of nausea and vomiting. Its value lies in identifying emetophobia and understanding specific fears and triggers unique to each individual. Serving as a roadmap for mental health professionals, it offers a standardized means to measure, assess and tailor interventions for those navigating the challenges of emetophobia.

You can take this test here. Please follow all of the steps to receive your results.

References: Boschen, M. J., Veale, D., Ellison, N., & Reddell, T. (2013). The emetophobia questionnaire (EmetQ-13): Psychometric validation of a measure of specific phobia of vomiting (emetophobia). Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 27(2013), 670-677. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.08.004

Step 1: Rate the following statements based on how much you agree with them on a scale of strongly disagree to strongly agree.

1. I avoid air travel because I may become nauseous/vomit.

2. I avoid other forms of transport because I may become nauseous/vomit.

3. I avoid sea travel (boats, etc.) because I may become nauseous/vomit.

4. I avoid places where there are no facilities to cater if I become nauseous/vomit.

5. I avoid places where there is no medical attention, because I may become nauseous/vomit.

6. I avoid fast-moving activities like rides at the theme park, because I may vomit.

7. If I see vomit, I may become sick myself.

8. If I smell vomit, I may become sick myself.

9. Exposure to vomit can cause sickness and/or illness.

10. I avoid adults who may be likely to vomit.

11. I avoid children who may be likely to vomit.

12. I avoid places where others may vomit.

13. I notice physical anxiety symptoms when exposed to vomit.

0 of 0 questions answered

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores with people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.