Teen’s fear of vomiting went undiagnosed for a year

Doctors say the case highlights the need for taking a good psychosocial history

A teenager’s extreme fear of vomiting that led her to restrict her liquid intake went unrecognised for a year resulting in chronic dehydration and nausea, a case report says. 

The 15-year-old developed the phobia after experiencing a bout of viral gastroenteritis that involved nausea and vomiting, and while the illness lasted less than a week, the nausea persisted.