Blood phobia
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Blood phobia (also, AE: Hemophobia, BE: Haemophobia) is the extreme and irrational fear of blood. Acute cases of this fear can cause physical reactions that are uncommon in most other fears, specifically vasovagal syncope (fainting).[1] Similar reactions can also occur with trypanophobia and traumatophobia. For this reason, these phobias are categorized as "blood-injection-injury phobia" by the DSM-IV.[2] Some early texts refer to this category as "blood-injury-illness phobia."[3]
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[edit] Etiology
Blood phobia is often caused by direct or vicarious trauma in childhood or adolescence.[3] Though some have suggested a possible genetic link, a study of twins suggests that social learning and traumatic events, rather than genetics, is the primary problem.[4]
[edit] Treatment
Many behavioral techniques useful in mitigating vasovagal syncope, such as applying tension to the muscles in an effort to increase blood pressure, are helpful to patients with blood phobia.[5] The standard approach to treatment is the same as with other phobias - cognitive-behavioral therapy, desensitization, and possibly medications to help with the anxiety and discomfort.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The Merck Manual, http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec15/ch196/ch196e.html, retrieved 2007-05-19
- ^ Lipsitz, JD; Barlow, DH; Mannuzza, S; Hofmann, SG; Fyer, AJ (July 2002), "Clinical features of four DSM-IV-specific phobia subtypes", The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 190 (7): 471–8, doi:
- ^ a b Thyer, Bruce A.; Himle, Joseph; Curtis, George C. (July 1985), "Blood-Injury-Illness Phobia: A Review", Journal of Clinical Psychology 41 (4): 451–9, doi:
- ^ Neale, MC; Walters, EE; Eaves, LJ; Kessler, RC; Heath, AC; Kendler, KS (December 15, 1994), "Genetics of blood-injury fears and phobias: a population-based twin study", American Journal of Medical Genetics 54 (4): 326–34, doi:
- ^ Peterson, Alan L. (Lt. Col.); Isler III, William C. (Capt.) (September 2004), "Applied tension treatment of vasovagal syncope during pregnancy", Military Medicine 169 (9): 751–3
