Phobia Shaming

[TillyFloss10]

I have pretty severe Blood, Injurban Injection phobia and I was looking at the thread about OP not giving blood, some of the comments about needle phobics were like 'that's a silly excuse' 'you're just squeamish' etcc.
AIBU to think that these people do not understand what it is like living with a phobia?

Yes I have avoided blood tests injections and other procedures because of this. I can't eat meat anymore because it has blood in it, I avoid going to the park now because last time I was there a child fell and cut their knee in front of me so I passed out, I stopped volunteering at brownies because one girl fell and knocked a tooth out so I passed out.

Please don't call us silly.

It's only silly if you're not doing anything to fix it.

Phobias are treatable though so if its stopping you from dou things then get help. I had a needle phobia but had to overcome it to have ivf.
Ultimately I guess phobias are silly really, they ate fears that can impact on a person's life and can be treated successfully . If you wo t go to the park in case a child cuts the self you must surely see that could be limiting for you? Do you have children?

I don't think you're silly. I don't think anybody likes needles or giving blood though. It's not generally a nice experience. I sat for 1 hour recently trying to have blood taken. 2 nurses tried and couldn't and then eventually a consultant came. It has really put me off going to give blood now. I ended up with bruises on both inner arms, wrist and hand.

I think phobias are understandable but honestly it sounds like you’re withdrawing from normal activity due to your phobias and it’s time to seek some help for them.

I know I should do something to fix it buy that scares me too. If they tried to do something like exposure therapy I would just faint. No I don't hard children right now and yes it terrifies me to think about pregnancy and giving birth and what I would do if my child injures themselves.

I do worry about talking about it with people cause it is embarrassing and I don't want people to think I am just being a drama queen

For some reason the last bit of my post didn't upload!
It's normal to have fears but it's not good when they're affecting daily life and stopping you from doing things. have you seen someone to get help? cbt can be really successful at treating phobias. Good luck

Confused at some of these responses. Phobias are mental health issues as much as depression and anxiety. You wouldn't call those silly.

If you go for therapy, they will talk through with you what it involves and you can talk about your concerns about exposure therapy and I'm sure they will be able to reassure you. Seriously, you have nothing to lose by trying.

My understanding is blood/needle phobias are a bit different to other phobias as it's a physical reaction you can't control.

I'm not frightened of blood/needles it just makes me pass out! Actually even writing this message is making me a bit light headed. I've passed out due to reading about bleeding before

However, I have got through blood tests in pregnancy by lying down to have it taken so I can't fall.

If they tried to do something like exposure therapy I would just faint

Done correctly (under the guidance of a qualified, experienced professional) exposure therapy is incredibly successful, and as I found, not scary! The idea is that your anxiety doesn't ever go beyond say a 5/10 on your own rating scale. Once your anxiety goes down to 1-2/10, you then step up a level until it drops down again, and so on. It's very successful and has worked wonders for me, it's definitely worth looking in to.

As an example, my phobia is people vomiting. I decided I had to overcome it. I was applying for a role where I would HAVE to take the lead in first aid situations as well as other potential encounters. I also wanted children.

I couldn't even look at the word vomit on a piece of paper without my heart rate increasing. My exposure therapy program looked a bit like this in the initial stages....

Stage 1: **
Stage 2: V*
Stage 3: VO*
(You get the idea)
Stage 7: a drawing of a stick man with lines coming out of his mouth

And it progressed like that. I wouldn't say I don't feel anxious at all, but my anxiety is reduced sufficiently that it's manageable and I can still perform in a triggering situation e.g. when I was in hospital following the birth of my baby, other women on the ward were vomiting left right and centre (something to do with a hormone drop after birth or C-section drugs or something!) and whilst it wasn't exactly enjoyable to hear, my anxiety was virtually zero.

All those suggesting therapy, where would someone access this? Is it available on the NHS? Who would be qualified to provide it? Is it very expensive?

In my experience, exposure therapy is brilliant.

For anyone interested this is the procedure to follow, on your own or with a therapist, and for people prone to fainting
www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/pm/research/imparts/Quick-links/Self-Help-Materials/Needle-Phobia.pdf

Agree with @Ipigglemustdie

I have a pretty severe phobia of an every day thing and I've had CBT and although it's not totally gone, I can live a normal life. If it's that bad you should seek help.

I know facing the fear to fix it is terrifying but it's slow and steady process. I really recommend you try.

On the flip side, half of the battle is knowing that it's ridiculous and understanding it's not actually a huge deal.

@LynetteScavo I originally went to my GP and was referred to CBT for anxiety and we tackled my phobia while we were at it.

My husband is needle phobic and is refusing an operation that could make his life a lot better. Our local hospital runs needle phobia classes but he won't even consider this as he says he's too phobic.

It's all so simple for some isn't it?

I have PTSD and severe phobias. Literally can't leave my house.

Had CBT six times, counselling, hypnotherapy. Exposure therapy made me worse. It's not as simple as "just get therapy"

I had a needle phobia that meant I passed out when having injections etc - I had some counselling and that helped a lot, then when I got pregnant it was like a kind of exposure therapy and I’m much better about it now.