In everyday life, we are at risk of having minor accidents, such as a cut or a fall, causing bleeding. A blood test as a checkup is also routine. For some people, dealing with blood is normal and part of everyday life. For others, however, just seeing blood is cause for panic. So today, we will talk about the hemophobia or blood phobia .

Meaning of hemophobia

In short, hemophobia, as the name implies, is the exaggerated fear of seeing one's own or other people's blood. This is because in these cases, seeing live blood is connected to something negative. Thus, it can signify a trauma experienced in childhood, when the child witnesses a serious accident. It can also be connected even with the death of someone.

So when someone suffering from this phobia sees blood, even in small amounts, they understand that something is wrong with their body.

Another interesting factor is that the person avoids sharp and pointed objects, such as knives and scissors. The reason is the risk of bleeding that such objects can cause. Thus, routine activities are set aside, such as cooking and working, to avoid the possible risk of accidents.

In any case, there is no specific cause or study that proves the origin of this phobia.

Symptoms

Perhaps the most recurrent symptom of those who suffer from hemophobia If you have watched the Mexican TV series Chaves and remember a specific episode, in which the character Kiko faints when he sees Chaves' stomach with a wound made by a rabid dog.

In this case, the fainting may be a defense mechanism of the body, as if it were a warning request to see the blood and flee from that sight.

Added to this symptom, there are others, not always occurring in all people, such as:

• High blood pressure,
• Tachycardia,
• Tremors,
• Sickness,
• Headaches,
• Excessive sweating.

Other causes

We have already mentioned that the origin of hemophobia can happen in childhood, so let's follow some triggers that can develop this disorder

TV Programs and Movies

When we were children, our mothers used to send us to bed early and not let us watch TV at night. One of the reasons for this is that more adult-oriented programs are usually shown at this time. That is, those that contain violence and more explicit images.

Suspense and horror movies - especially the so-called slashers - are often very good at showing people being killed and wounded. Therefore, as a consequence, blood is more visible in these scenes.

Of course, this exposure is not an absolute. Not every child who watches this content will be afraid of blood, but it is important to stress the possibility of this happening.

Traumas

As we said above, Major traumas also contribute to the development of this disorder. For example, a child who has blood clotting problems. The cause can be either hereditary or from diseases such as cancer, hepatitis, or thrombosis.

In this case, after treatment and, in severe cases, surgery, the child may grow up to become hemophobic and carry the problem into adulthood, avoiding new medical interventions, which can be life-threatening.

Hypochondria

A person with hypochondria is also more likely to develop a blood phobia. Believing that there is something wrong with her, even if she doesn't feel anything, the fear of seeing blood appears as a symptom.

Small symptoms such as a headache or chest pain are enough for a person to believe that he or she has an illness, so the person imagines that taking some kind of medicine on his or her own is good for him or her.

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In other words, when a person believes he has a disease, self-medicating is an escape valve, as long as he avoids something extreme like surgery, for example.

Menstruation

It may seem ironic, but it is possible for women to have this phobia. Menstruation itself is not the cause, but the fact of talking about the subject is already a taboo in society. When this period starts in the life of the child/adolescent, she may feel difficulty in exposing this event, because, especially men, still see menstruation as something disgusting.

The lack of didactic accompaniment from parents when talking about menstruation can lead their daughter to become repressed and avoid the subject. In this case, this fear starts a snowball, where in the following stages, from entering school, she does not share this subject with her friends.

The omission of the school in not talking about menstruation helps to increase the taboo. Sex education classes are fundamental for a better understanding and comprehension of the students that menstruation is something normal and should be treated as such.

Finally, if this issue is not exposed, the possibility of creating fear around this event is real. This creates a feeling of insecurity in women, taking this fear to a higher degree, causing hemophobia to appear.

Treatments

First of all, it is necessary to check if this fear of blood is something that happens repeatedly or if it is a one-time thing. In the second case, one of the solutions is to face the fear. In other words, expose yourself to activities that have some risk of injury.

One could list some contact sports such as soccer, basketball, American soccer, etc. By doing this, one will already be aware that the risk of seeing blood may happen more often.

However, this recommendation is addressed to those who know that they don't have so many symptoms when they see blood. In this scenario, coping is enough to end the fear. But if the case is more serious, other techniques should be sought.

Psychotherapy and psychoanalysis

In cases where the person with hemophobia will really need follow-up care, psychological treatments are feasible.

In the conversation with the professional, the patient will be led to discover the origin of this phobia. In cases where disorders such as anxiety and depression are related, options such as the use of antidepressants and anxiolytics are important.

In addition, cognitive-behavioral therapy is also essential in the long term. Other techniques such as hypnosis or even EFT (body release technique) are valid. In the case of EFT, small pressures are made on peripheral areas, used in acupuncture, that help release feelings such as anger and fear.

Final remarks about hemophobia

You have followed along with us what Hemophobia or the fear of seeing blood As this phobia is mostly related to childhood, it is necessary to follow up on more severe cases.

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This is why we recommend our online course on Clinical Psychoanalysis, in which you will see the various types of phobia and the best way to deal with them, always in the light of science. Enroll now!