food

 Fear of Vomit (Emetophobia)

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Fear of Vomit (Emetophobia)

Olivia Loiacono

Emetophobia or the fear of vomit is a mental health disorder that is not talked about often.  Globally, around 10%, of people struggle with this disorder and it tends to go undiagnosed simply because it really is not studied often. It is significantly more common in women, with a percentage of 7%.

Some symptoms that you may notice are:

  • Excessive anxiety and panic attacks when exposed to triggers (e.g., witnessing vomit, smelling vomit, thinking about vomiting)
  • Avoidance of situations or foods that may induce vomiting
  • Obsessive hand washing and cleaning
  • Extreme caution with food safety and hygiene
  • Physical symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and increased heart rate.

With that being said, Emetophobia, most of the time has underlying mental health disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, or OCD. There is no specific cause for Emetophobia other than some tests have shown that Early childhood experiences with vomiting, witnessing traumatic events involving vomit, genetic predisposition, and underlying anxiety disorders. Researchers also say, that since the patient does not have control over the symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, it makes them feel out of control which ultimately ends in a spiral.

Some treatment options for Emetophobia typically involve: 

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): To challenge negative thoughts and develop coping strategies 
  • Exposure therapy: Gradually exposing the individual to triggers in a controlled setting 
  • Medication: In some cases, medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed 

If you or someone you know is struggling with Emetophobia, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling and Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ, or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) – 368-3700 or (212)-722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

References:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4253364/#:~:text=A%20phobia%20of%20vomiting%2C%20or,others%20will%20find%20them%20repulsive.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25115-emetophobia-fear-of-vomiting

Why Dieting May Be Bad For You

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Sam Kwok

As the summer months roll around, the amount of social media posts of swimsuit bodies increase. Many people believe that summer is the time for dieting to achieve a perfect body that would be praised by others on social media. To help people lose weight and get into shape, many diet plans have been developed which typically restricts those following the plan from specific food groups. Some of the most common diets are:

  • Keto: low carb, high protein
  • Raw: uncooked food
  • Vegan: no foods that come from animals (ex. Dairy, meat, honey)
  • Paleo: no foods cavemen would not have eaten (ex. Pasta, dairy)
  • Atkins: low carbs
  • Weight Watchers: company meal plan, premade food

Research has shown that healthy lifestyles have been linked to better mental health. Those who eat a balanced diet and exercise daily tend to be happier. Though these diet plans seem to encourage people to make healthy decisions, many of these plans are in fact, the very opposite of healthy as they do not promote a balanced diet. The National Heart Organization recommends that individuals eat approximately 6 servings of grains a day. Those on an Atkins and Keto diet typically eat 0-2 servings. Those following the raw food diet also lack a lot of nutrients that exist in cooked food. Plants have an extra layer within their cells known as cell walls which are meant to help the plant in providing protection and structural support. Some animals like pandas have the ability to break through this cell wall, but humans, do not. The only way for us to break down this cell wall to absorb nutrients is through cooking our vegetables.

There have also been cases of individuals who develop obsessions with diet fads and eventually develop eating disorders. Some common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. These disorders not only take a huge toll on the body physically, but they also affect the mind psychologically. When trying to get into shape, one should eat a balanced diet and exercise daily, yet many diet plans fail to include such topics. Having a stable sleep schedule as well as maintaining social relationships can affect weight as well as an individual’s esteem and should be taken into consideration when one is attempting to lose weight. Remember, you are what you eat- so eat healthy.

If you or a loved one appears to be suffering from an eating disorder, the licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy can assist you. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. Visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/ for more information.