A Clever Way To Overcome Your Fear of Blood and Needles

Having a fear of blood and needles can be intense. Even just the sight of a speck of blood or a thin needle can induce intense anxiety or panic for some people. As expected, this can not only be a huge discomfort for the sufferer, but it can be inconvenient, like in the instance the sufferer has to get bloodwork done, get an IV, or gets an injury involving the breaking of the skin.

A Clever Way To Overcome Your Fear of Blood and Needles
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Fortunately, there are ways to overcome or at least de-tensify your fear of blood and needles, such as the following.

Exposure is Key

As intimidating as it might be, exposing yourself to blood and needles will be important if you wish to overcome these phobias. You may wish to start exposure by simply looking at pictures or videos online of blood and/or needles, perhaps daily or a few times a week. During exposure, focus on maintaining slow, deep breathing.

So, how can you expose yourself to these items in person? When you get a tiny cut, instead of immediately covering it up, try getting yourself used to the appearance of the blood. And when seeing a needle in person, like a sewing needle, piercing needle, or medical needle, pay attention to it instead of looking away. Looking away only reinforces the fear.

Learn More About Phlebotomy

It’s easier said than done, but one of the best ways to overcome your fear is to become more acquainted with it and even learn to love it, pushing through your fears in the process. For instance, whether or not you have a dream of becoming a phlebotomist, a person who draws blood for a living, you might choose to still take phlebotomy classes. What a bold move!

It will be difficult at first, and it might even seem like it’s getting worse at times, but as you learn more about phlebotomy, the more your fear will fade. Certain phlebotomy terms may no longer phase you, and you may eventually find comfort and interest in the topic of phlebotomy. It might be a slow process at first, but the results will be worth it.

Seek Professional Help

For very intense phobias of blood and/or needles, it’s best advised to seek professional help, like a form of therapy. This is especially true in cases where your phobia(s) are due to serious trauma or abuse.

A therapist or other professional can work with you to lessen your anxiety and help you change your thought process surrounding blood and needles. In the event that you work directly with blood and needles, you may also be prescribed medication to help lessen your anxiety when exposed to these sorts of things.

Conclusion

Having a fear of blood and needles is distressing, inconvenient, and can even be embarrassing. The good news is, you don’t have to continue to suffer. Exposing yourself to your fear, seeking professional help, and not letting your fear hold you back is critical to overcoming such phobias.