I'm sure you all know the story. I just found this out today. I used to think I wa a hypochondriac but today I think I can admit I am a emetophobe as well; and quite a heavy one at that. Here is my story.

I am 30 years old. I honestly puke maybe once every 7 years or so. I know nobody really likes to throw up but I get so anxious over the slightest sign that I might. I have always been a bit nervous over disease but I am not the hypochondriac that fears cancer, I fear stomache illness. I have always had diet-related GERD. In December I caught that nasty flu that everyone had and spent the day in the bathroom. I only threw up twice but I hated the thought of doing it. Then two weeks later I wound up in the hospital with horrid back pain due to a confirmed ulcer. That was healed. While in the hospital they located a kidney stone which was extremely small. It has not passed and for all I know it could be gone already. After getting over that I noticed I would get my migraines, which were typically once or twice a yer, about once a month. Then once I started working on that I found a lump and was operated on for a hernia. Needless to say this took my very mild hypochondria and boosted it ten-fold.

Then suddenly today it hit me. I am sitting at work sharing an office with a friend who is getting over flu like symptoms. He and his family vomitted and now have a cold. Naturally I am concerned I will get it due to my close proximity. Now what occured to me is that I can handle (sorry to be gross) sneezing, stuffiness, diarrhea...well practically anything but the vomitting terrifies me horribly.

That is where I am today and frankly I know after it happens I feel so much better but to get to that point is horrible for me.

Thanks for listening and I look forward to discussing with you

-Daniel