Cocktailphobia

Cocktailphobia is a psychological disorder, related to toxiphobia, where one fears the consumption of brightly coloured drinks and foods, not necessarily limited to actual cocktails. Patients suffering from this condition irrationally believe that such drinks or foods are undeliberately toxic or deliberately poisonous in nature. Consequently, they avoid social circumstances (such as parties or dinners) that could potentially involve the drinking of such beverages, and will strongly refuse the ingestion of these foods if they are offered. Refusals can go accompanied with panick attacks, fleeing, screaming and even violence, often to the complete shock of bystanders. The disorder can lead to social isolation, which can fuel further anxiety. If patients consume these foods nonetheless, they can exhibit physical responses similar to actual poisoning, including an increased heartbeat, trembling, fainting, and tunnel vision, which in turn reinforce the patients' beliefs. In reality, these responses are a subconscious psychological response, similar but not identical to the "curing" effect of placebos.
Cause
Some psychologists believe that a biological basis exists for this disorder, as many plants and animals display bright colours to mark their toxicity and act as a deterrent. Other animals, in general, refrain from preying on or eating them. (See for example the highly venomenous Golden Poison Dart Frog.) Scientists argue that people are biologically prone, or even hardwired, to avoid or dislike these foods, just as people tend to generally dislike the same odors across cultures and toddlers tend to strongly dislike bitter foods (another marker of toxicity).
Treatment
Treatment of this disorder normally includes tailored therapeutic sessions, supplemented by antidepressants and anxiety medication, with SSRI's, MAOI's and benzodiazepines being the types of medicines most frequently prescribed.

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