It was one event that started it for me, which was an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts when I was very very young. I just remember running to the bathroom, getting sick, then stumbling out of the bathroom and having trouble breathing. I may have passed out, I'm not sure. I was really little. I know it was a close call. My family rushed me to the doctor and I was okay, but had they not been there I could have died.

My emet stayed relatively mild (hated it and freaked out when I was near it, etc.) until my bf got too drunk and was sick in bed beside me in his sleep. That is what triggered the extensive fears. At that point I had trouble functioning throughout the day. After about a year I got tired of being terrified all the time and went to therapy. Now I'm doing pretty well, thankfully.

So yeah, there were definitely specific events that molded my phobia. On the flipside, there are specific events that have helped me see how far I've come as well.