Why You Should Avoid Making Yourself Throw Up

Medically reviewed by April Justice
Updated February 20, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Throwing up is a natural reflex that can defend the body from ingested toxins or dangerous substances. When you throw up, your body may be trying to get rid of whatever it perceives as a threat.

However, some people make themselves throw up in an attempt to lose weight or cope with stress and difficult emotions. This behavior is known as self-induced vomiting, and while it may seem like a quick fix in the moment, it can have significant consequences on your physical and mental health.

Below, we’ll explore why some people may consider making themselves throw up and look at the dangers of this behavior.

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Are you considering making yourself throw up?

Why people consider throwing up

Physical and mental health symptoms

Our bodies are complex and can respond differently to different situations. Some people may be tempted to throw up as a result of physical symptoms or challenging emotions, but this can present significant health risks. Whether you are ill or are just feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone, and throwing up is not the only way to cope. There is help available to navigate any physical or mental health challenges you’re facing.

Overeating

Overeating, whether by mistake or on purpose, can feel uncomfortable or even painful. Although it may be tempting to make yourself throw up to reduce the immediate discomfort, it typically doesn’t provide a lasting solution.

Alcohol intake

Excessive alcohol consumption is another common reason why people may consider throwing up. When drinking too much alcohol, some people believe that making themselves vomit will help reduce the effects of intoxication. However, this is not typically an effective way to reduce the impact of alcohol, and it may put you at risk of aspiration, which can lead to choking or pneumonia.

Food poisoning

Food poisoning may also be a factor in why people consider throwing up. Although vomiting is a natural response to food poisoning, making yourself throw up can make your symptoms worse and lead to dehydration or more severe illnesses.

Weight control

Some people may view self-induced vomiting as an effective way to control their weight. While it might seem effective in the short term, it can have dangerous consequences. Eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa, are often linked with self-induced vomiting and can cause physical harm to your body over time.

Getty/AnnaStills

Safer alternatives to self-induced vomiting

If you face a situation where you feel compelled to make yourself throw up, several safer alternatives may help you manage the situation.

For example, if you are concerned about overeating or if you are having stomach pain after eating, waiting for your body to digest the food naturally can be beneficial. Taking a gentle walk or sipping on water or herbal tea may also reduce the feeling of fullness.

If you are worried about alcohol consumption, drinking water and remaining hydrated may help to minimize the effects. Eating something light before or after consuming alcohol can also help absorb some of the toxins. 

In the case of food poisoning, a healthcare professional can provide you with the best advice on how to care for yourself. It may help to rest and stay hydrated, in addition to following a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast). As your body attempts to naturally fight off the toxins and bacteria, you may find that these foods are gentle on your digestive system and provide some needed nutrition.

If you're looking to control your weight, consulting a professional, such as a nutritionist or therapist, may help you create a healthier relationship with food. Adopting positive eating habits and listening to your body may help you better manage your weight without resorting to self-induced vomiting.

Strategies for coping with emotional triggers and prevention

When our emotions become overwhelming, using certain behaviors to numb or avoid the pain can be tempting. Unfortunately, self-induced vomiting can become one of these coping strategies.

Breaking the pattern may begin with identifying your triggers, such as emotions or situations that lead to the urge to vomit. If you know what triggers your self-induced vomiting, you can look for ways to manage these feelings before they arise. Developing healthier coping mechanisms might enable you to respond more productively to triggers and challenging situations.

Some healthy coping strategies include mindfulness and meditation, journaling, creative outlets, physical activity, and self-care rituals. Self-care can be defined as caring for yourself through acts of awareness, self-control, and self-reliance to promote or maintain your well-being.

The benefits of self-care can be far-reaching. When you reduce chronic stress, your body may manage its hormones and chemicals more effectively, reducing inflammation and lowering cortisol levels. This hormone is released during fight-or-flight situations and can be detrimental to your physical and mental health when present in excess.

Self-care can help us create a healthier relationship with our mind and body. With the right resources, we can learn how to nourish ourselves mindfully and make knowledgeable decisions surrounding our physical and emotional health.

Prevention may be the best way to ensure self-induced vomiting is not used as a coping mechanism. Parents and caregivers can help by encouraging open communication about body image, modeling healthy behaviors, and providing resources for those experiencing challenges with self-esteem or body image. 

Education can help increase public understanding of the dangers associated with self-induced vomiting. Discussing the topic openly with friends and family, encouraging open dialogue in schools and workplaces, and advocating for increased awareness through social media and community events may help build a more nurturing society for those in need.

The role of media and society in promoting healthy body image and eating habits can be significant. Raising awareness, advocating for more diverse and accurate portrayals of body types, and encouraging celebrities and influencers to promote healthy eating habits and self-care might help break down the stigma associated with body image. By helping others embrace a healthier body image, we might create a future where all individuals are empowered to make informed choices regarding their health and well-being.

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Are you considering making yourself throw up?

Overcoming eating disorders

One of the first steps in overcoming an eating disorder is recognizing the signs and differentiating between what is healthy and unhealthy. Signs of eating disorders may include the following:

  • Unhealthy self-image: Negative thoughts or feelings about your body and how you look.
  • Extreme dieting or fasting: Restricting food intake to achieve a certain weight, size, or shape in a way that is dangerous or difficult to sustain.
  • Excessive exercise: Exercising to burn calories, often at the expense of other activities, such as socializing or leisure time.
  • Binge eating: Eating large amounts of food quickly without feeling in control over eating habits.
  • Compulsive eating: Eating large amounts without regard for hunger or fullness cues.
  • Using laxatives: Taking laxatives consistently to lose weight or avoid gaining weight.
  • Purging or self-induced vomiting: Making yourself throw up to avoid gaining weight or to control food intake.

Once a person is aware of the signs and symptoms, they can move toward seeking help from a mental health professional or therapist. These professionals are trained to work with individuals living with eating disorders to help them create sustainable and healthy habits for managing their eating.

Get support with online therapy

If you feel hesitant to visit a therapist’s office to discuss an eating disorder, you might consider online therapy, which has been demonstrated to be as effective as in-office therapy. Online therapy is a convenient way to receive mental health services. You can connect with a therapist via audio or video chat from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere with an internet connection. Online therapy services provide support and guidance from professionals specializing in various areas, including eating disorders. Through online therapy, individuals can acquire the tools and strategies to develop meaningful and sustainable lifestyle changes.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a common modality utilized in online therapy, has been considered an evidence-based treatment for eating disorders like bulimia nervosa. CBT aims to help individuals become aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to better understand how they are related. Therapists work with their clients to identify thoughts and behaviors contributing to problem areas, including disordered eating, to help them develop more adaptive behaviors and attitudes.

The journey toward healing may require empathy and patience, and there is no single "right" way or timeline for healing. Each individual may heal differently, but overcoming eating disorders can be possible with the right support system and a tool kit for healing.

Takeaway

If you’re experiencing an eating disorder or other challenges that lead to self-induced vomiting, you don’t have to face them alone. With the help of an online counselor, you may find that you can identify your specific triggers and rediscover your self-worth. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist who has experience helping people with eating disorders. Take the first step toward getting support and reach out to BetterHelp today.
Healing from eating disorders is possible
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