Hemophobia, or the fear of blood, is really more common than you might think. In this article a leading British hypno-psychotherapist explains this phobia and how it can be successfully treated.
An intense fear of blood is a phobia that we treat fairly regularly here in our UK hypno-psychotherapy practice.
Like all other phobias, blood phobia is essentially an anxiety disorder.
The person suffering from a phobia of blood may very well sense that it is illogical, but this does nothing to help him or her to deal with it.
The thought or the sight of blood automatically triggers an irrational fear that seems to overpower the individual, psychologically and even physically.
It can produce a host of worrying symptoms such as dizziness, feelings of faintness, a sudden and rapid decrease in blood pressure, palpitations, dry mouth and nausea.
Medically speaking, blood phobia has several different names and is spelled in a variety of different ways: hemophobia, haemophobia, hemaphobia and hematophobia being the most common.
The actual causes of this phobia usually lie in the individual's past.
At some period in the past, the subconscious has linked or paired the thought or the sight of blood with feelings of extreme anxiety.
Most often this has occurred in childhood or in the adolescent years, although less frequently it may have taken place later on in life.
This may have happened directly - as a result of a traumatic experience involving blood such as an accident or medical procedure in which blood was drawn, an injection, blood transfusion or the like.
It also may have happened in an indirect manner - through someone else's negative experience that was witnessed by the individual him or herself. Or it may have been modelled on someone else's fear and anxiety and so learned vicariously.
There is also the possibility that in some individuals there is a genetic component or predisposition to this phobia, since it can be prevalent in other members of the family.
In my own clinical practice and professional opinion, however, this can also be ascribed to the child's ability to model this fear on the anxiety of parents and relevant others.
Whatever the cause, the fact is that this phobia can greatly affect and even jeopardise the person's health.
Often the blood phobic individual will go to great lengths to avoid any situation or procedure that may cause blood to flow.
Nurses, doctors and dentists, clinics and hospitals, injections and other necessary medical procedures may be avoided - even when there is a pressing need for them.
In certain instances, hemophobia is also linked with a phobia of needles (trypnophobia) and/or a fear of death (thanatophobia).
Any treatment for the fear of blood also needs to take this into account. This is why when treating this fear, you need to work with a practitioner who has experience with this particular phobia.
The good news is that help is available.
Working with a suitably qualified and experienced advanced transformational hypnotherapist, it is possible to look back and to uncover the origins and causes of his phobia.
Once this is accomplished, the false belief that has been 'programmed' into the subconscious mind that blood equals anxiety can be neutralized.
In its place we can help the individual to experience feelings of calm and relaxation when thinking about or experiencing any circumstance that involves blood.
If you or someone you care about suffers from the fear of blood, blood phobia, also know as hemaphobia, hematophobia, hemophobia and haemophobia, then there really is something you can do about it.
Consult with a fully trained professional advanced transformational hypnotherapist who has experience in dealing with this phobia and begin the process of freeing yourself now.
Through the modern techniques of advanced hypnosis and hypnotherapy you can live your life as you were born to live it - free from the upset and anxiety when it comes to blood.
Forgiveness -- The Eraser of Anger
In this article, a leading British therapist talks about the wisdom of forgivenss and gives tips on how it might best be addresed and accomplished.Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Hypnosis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is an immensely troubling condition that affects at least one third of the population. In this brief and informative article, a leading British therapist discusses the use of hypnosis in its treatment.How to Exert Yourself Socially
Social anxiety is a debilitating problem experienced by many. In this informative artlcle, a prominent UK therapist explains techniques that can help anyone feel more at ease when presented with a challenging social scene.