Do you have hemophobia? Check for these symptoms

Hemophobia is a psychological disorder characterized by the fear of seeing blood or undergoing surgery that involves blood. If you feel a little nauseous and uncomfortable at the sight of blood, this is normal, but people with hemophobia will feel incredibly sick and very anxious at the sight of blood.

Phobias can be associated with many things, most of which are not part of our daily lives. Therefore, it is not worth worrying about these phobias. However, if you have hemophobia, the possibility of seeing blood may cause you to skip important medical appointments or even take away your ability to react mindfully in serious situations such as an accident.

All these cases show how important it is to overcome the fear of blood. In this article, we will talk about hemophobia or blood phobia, its symptoms, what to do with this phobia, and how to treat it in more detail.

---

Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Hemophobia

Hemophobia shows vasovagal response. (Image by Ijeab on Freepik)

Hemophobia, or the fear of blood, has been recognized as a “specific phobia”, under the new edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5). Like all other phobias, it also has similar physical and emotional symptoms.

Physical symptoms include the following.

1. Shortness of breath
2. Rapid heartbeat
3. Shaking
4. Nausea
5. Dizziness
6. Sweating

Hemophobia can also cause a vasovagal response, meaning a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. This type of response is not generally observed in other phobias.

Emotional symptoms associated with hemophobia may be the ones mentioned below.

1. Extreme anxiety
2. A sense of detachment from the true self
3. Fear of losing control
4. The need to escape situations involving blood
5. Passing out at the sight of blood

Emotional symptoms of hemophobia in children may include crying, clinginess, tantrums, hiding, and refusal to get away from parents, caregivers, or guardians. If your child experiences these behaviors while seeing blood, it would be best to contact a psychiatrist.

---

Risk Factors, Onset, and Diagnosis

Why should you consult a doctor about your hemophobia? (Image by Prostooleh on Freepik)

Hemophobia can be genetic, as some people are more susceptible to developing phobias than others. Moreover, a child can also develop hemophobia if their parent or caretaker has it. Traumatic events, like accidents, hospital stays, or even childbirth, can result in the onset of hemophobia in a person. Hence, there are plenty of reasons and causes which can contribute to developing this fear of blood.

If you suspect that you have hemophobia, consulting a doctor or psychologist is the first step. Since it is a recognized phobia in the DSM-5, there exists a formal diagnosis procedure that can be adapted by the doctor. Diagnosis only involves discussing symptoms, duration since when you are experiencing these symptoms, and identifying the history of hemophobia in your family.

---

Treatment Methods for Hemophobia

Relaxing exercises can help reduce stress in blood-related situations. (Image by Freepik on Freepik)

Treatment for all phobias is not necessary, but hemophobia can interfere with your day-to-day life and may also make you skip routine health procedures due to the fear of seeing blood.

Hence, treatment for this phobia becomes somewhat necessary in case it is causing you discomfort on a regular basis. Treatment may include the following methods.

• Exposure Therapy – Step-by-step exposure to blood-related situations
• Cognitive Therapy – Identifying and challenging irrational thoughts about blood
• Relaxation Techniques – Exercises like deep breathing and yoga
• Medication – Only for severe hemophobia cases

---

Hence, hemophobia can be overcome by consulting a doctor if you are experiencing thoughts and symptoms related to the fear of blood for more than 5 or 6 months. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can see betterment from the initial period itself.