Fear of blood (Hemophobia)
Hemophobia is a psychological disorder characterized by an extreme fear of blood. While it’s normal to feel a bit queasy or uncomfortable at the sight of blood, people with hemophobia react to blood in irrational ways and can become highly distressed at the mere thought of it
Symptoms of Hemophobia
Many people living with a blood phobia may only experience symptoms if they see blood. But for some people, even the thought of blood can make them feel panicked or anxious. This is referred to as anticipatory anxiety.
Each person with hemophobia may react to blood differently, but some of the more common symptoms are:
- Tremors or palpitations
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Chest tightness or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Faintness or dizziness
- Nausea
Diagnosing Hemophobia
Hemophobia is formally diagnosed using seven criteria
- The fear is persistent and is considered unreasonable or excessive. The fear may occur in the presence of blood or in anticipation of seeing blood.
- Seeing blood nearly always results in an anxious response. This may include a panic attack. In children, the response may take the form of clinging, tantrums, crying, or freezing.
- The person with the blood phobia knows that their fear of blood is excessive (though in children this may not be the case).
- The person either avoids blood or experiences intense feelings of anxiety and is distressed in situations that involve blood.
- The fear of blood significantly disrupts the person’s daily life and may impact their work, schooling, relationships, or social activities. They may have significant distress about having their phobia of blood.
- The fear of blood typically persists for at least six months.
- The feelings of anxiety or behaviors associated with the blood phobia can’t be explained through other disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder