Emetophobia
Emetophobia is a fear of vomiting. It’s typically diagnosed as a specific phobia, though it frequently grows to look a bit more like OCD. The obsession (“what if I vomit!?”) is managed by a series of compulsive behaviors, including avoidance of triggers (e.g. spicy foods, public places, sick people, discussion or images of vomit) and measures taken to mitigate risk of vomiting, such as scanning/hypervigilance to bodily sensations, rumination about whether or not one is going to vomit, anti-nausea medication (antacids, Dramamine, Emetrol, ginger chews, etc.).
While the casual observer might say, “Well, you only throw up once in a while, so that must not get in the way too often”, but emetophobia sufferers can attest that this problem can grow to be quite pervasive. It can get in the way of eating meals, socializing, and going out in public. It can seep into just about every aspect of day-to-day life and cause significant disruption to functioning.
Treatment for emetophobia generally involves exposure therapy, in which individuals learn to embrace the uncertainty of vomiting, while gradually and systematically removing safety behaviors and avoidance. For a wonderful account of one emetophobia sufferers experience in treatment, check out the book Gag Reflections at the link below.
Emetophobia Resources:
Gag Reflections: Conquering a Fear of Vomit Through Exposure Therapy
IOCDF: Emetophobia: Fear of Vomiting as an Expression of OCD