What is emetophobia?
Emetophobia is an intense, persistent fear of vomiting. For some people the fear is mainly about being sick themselves. For many, it also covers seeing or hearing someone else be sick, which is why films and TV can be so hard.
Estimates vary a lot with the definition. A strict clinical diagnosis is much rarer, around 0.1% in one large German study. A strong, life-limiting fear is far more common. Either way, it is widely overlooked.
Why films are hard
A scene can arrive without warning and derail a whole evening. People cope by avoiding genres, muting, covering their eyes, or relying on a partner to warn them. Get Heads Up gives you the information beforehand, so you can choose what to watch and when to look away.
Finding films without vomiting
Search any film or show at the top of this page, or browse films with no vomiting scenes and family films with no vomiting.
Keeping it free
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It can be treated
Cognitive behavioural therapy with gradual exposure is the most common approach. If the fear gets in the way of daily life, a GP or therapist is a good first step. Get Heads Up is a viewing aid, not a treatment.
Sources
- Meule, Seufert & Kolar (2025). Emetophobia: A meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders.
- Van Hout & Bouman (2011). Clinical features, prevalence and psychiatric complaints in subjects with fear of vomiting.
- Meule (2025). Emetophobia appears to be the most common specific phobia that requires treatment.