Fear Of Blood (hemophobia): Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat to know about hemophobia (fear of blood)

Medically reviewed by Jacquelyn Johnson, PsyD. — Written by Caitlin Geng on January 24, 2022

Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Risk factors
Treatment
Summary

Hemophobia is the term for an irrational fear of blood. The phobia is not the same as the normal uneasiness about seeing blood that applies to most people.

Rather, it is an extreme fear of seeing blood or being in any situation that may involve blood. This phobia can have a serious impact on a person, as they may avoid doctor’s visits or medical care for fear of seeing blood.

In this article, we look at the definition of hemophobia, as well as causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment for hemophobia.

Definition

Red man road crossing close up, an artistic representation of hemophobia — Busà Photography/Getty Images

Hemophobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of blood. It is a subtype of blood, injury, and injection phobia. When a person has this phobia, they dread the sight of blood. This fear often includes their own blood, another person or animal’s, or even an image of blood.

Experts in a 2014 analysis estimate that hemophobia has a prevalence of 3–4% in the general population, meaning that it is relatively common. Up to 80% of people with hemophobia experience a vasovagal response when they see blood. This means their blood pressure drops suddenly in response to the stress of seeing blood, which causes their heart to slow and prevents the brain from receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. This in turn leads to fainting.

Hemophobia is a specific phobia, which is an extreme fear of a specific situation or object that is out of proportion to the actual threat presented. A person with a specific phobia can experience day-to-day interference in their life because of the phobia.

There are five types of specific phobias:

Blood, injury and injections: This type of phobia, which includes hemophobia, could make a person fear going to the doctor or dentist.
Animal: This type of phobia includes arachnophobia, the fear of spiders.
Natural environment: This type of phobia includes a fear of open water or heights.
Situational: Phobias such as claustrophobia (the fear of enclosed spaces) fall under this category.
Other types: This type of phobia includes fears that do not fit into the categories above, such as fears of choking, loud noises, and vomiting.

Causes

Hemophobia often develops after a person experiences direct trauma in childhood or adolescence, but it may also develop as a result of vicarious trauma. For example, a person may have heard a friend talk about their frightening experience of being in open water and then develop a fear as a result.

Symptoms

Emotional and physical symptoms of hemophobia when seeing blood may include:

feelings of panic and anxiety
trouble breathing
fainting
sweating
rapid heart rate
chest pain
a desire to escape the situation
confusion
dizziness
nausea

Risk factors

Risk factors for hemophobia include:

Comorbid psychoneurotic disorders: People who experience other psychological conditions, like panic disorders and agoraphobia, are at a higher risk of developing hemophobia.
Gender: Women are more likely than men to experience this phobia.
Genetics: A person who has close relatives with this phobia is more likely to develop it.
Trauma involving blood: A person who experiences blood-related trauma, especially during childhood or adolescence, is at a higher risk for hemophobia.

Treatment

There are various treatment options for hemophobia. These include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This involves a therapist teaching a person ways of stopping the panic reaction to blood and providing people with skills and strategies to help regulate their emotions. The therapist may help a person identify triggers for the anxiety and feelings that they have around blood. The therapist may also help a person replace their anxious thoughts and feelings with more constructive ones.

Exposure therapy: This type of therapy involves the therapist gradually or rapidly exposing a person to the situation that induces their phobic reaction. This can involve visualization exercises or exposing the client to blood directly, guiding them in a safe environment.
Applied tension therapy: This therapy involves a person learning to apply tension to their muscles by tensing their legs, arms, and abdomen, which could help prevent fainting.
Relaxation therapy: This can involve breathing exercises, meditation, visualization exercises, and yoga. These practices can help a person reduce the stress associated with their phobia and help ease the symptoms.

Summary

Hemophobia is an irrational and persistent fear of blood. The condition can have a significant negative impact on people who experience it, as they may avoid necessary medical or dental treatments due to their extreme fear of being exposed to blood.

Hemophobia usually begins in childhood and is often caused by trauma involving blood, either directly or vicariously.

A person may be at higher risk of the phobia due to genetics, gender, experiencing trauma involving blood at a young age, and having comorbid psychoneurotic disorders.

A therapist can treat hemophobia with CBT, exposure therapy, applied tension therapy, and relaxation therapy.

Mental Health
Psychology / Psychiatry

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Crozier, M., et al. (2011). Issues in differential diagnosis: Phobias and phobic conditions [Abstract].https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Issues-in-Differential-Diagnosis%3A-Phobias-and-Crozier-Gillihan/b7284a555e3860cb24a4b8b3064ece0e60159993?p2df
Petersen, J., et al. (2018). A serious game for hemophobia treatment - Phobos: First insights.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328517307_A_Serious_Game_for_Hemophobia_Treatment_-_Phobos_First_insights
Phobias. (2021).https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/phobias/types-of-phobia/
Phobias. (n.d.).https://mhanational.org/conditions/phobias
Podila, S. P. (2019). Hemophobia and gender – a case study on high school students, Guntur district, Andrhra Pradesh, India.https://www.recentscientific.com/sites/default/files/12582-A-2019.pdf
Wani, A. L., et al. (2014). Blood injury and injection phobia: The neglected one.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4094700/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Jacquelyn Johnson, PsyD. — Written by Caitlin Geng on January 24, 2022

Latest news

28% of breast cancer cases linked to 6 modifiable risk factors, experts say
GLP-1 drugs and 8 healthy lifestyle habits may lower cardiovascular risk
High fat, low- carb diet lowers blood sugar, improves exercise response in mice
High fat, high sugar diet may leave lasting changes on brain, eating later in life
Being at high altitudes could help blood sugar control: Here's why

Related Coverage

Everything you need to know about phobiasMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD
A phobia is an irrational and overpowering fear. A fear of flying and many other things can stop people doing what they want to, but treatment is…
READ MORE
Fear of being touched: Causes and treatments for haphephobiaMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD
Haphephobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of being touched. In this article, we look at the causes, risk factors, and how to cope.
READ MORE
How can someone manage a fear of flying (aviophobia)?Medically reviewed by Joslyn Jelinek, LCSW, ACSW, RDDP
Fear of flying can cause sweats, palpitations, and avoidance behaviors. Certain types of therapy and medication may help someone manage their fear.
READ MORE
What is aerophobia and is it treatable?Medically reviewed by Tiffany Taft, PsyD
What strategies can help a person overcome a fear of flying? Read on to learn more about different options to help treat aerophobia.
READ MORE
Understanding phonophobiaMedically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH
Phonophobia can cause an intense fear of loud or sudden noises. It is treatable through various approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy…
READ MORE

Tag » Why Do I Get Sick When I See Blood

Fear Of Blood (hemophobia): Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

Definition

Causes

Symptoms

Risk factors

Treatment

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

Related Coverage

Is It Normal To Feel Sick During A Blood Draw? - Kids Health

Why Do Some People Faint When They See Blood? | Popular Science

Why Some People Faint, Vomit, Or Feel Sick When They See Blood ...

How To Handle Fainting At The Sight Of Blood - WebMD

Vasovagal Syncope: Why You Faint If You See Blood - Health

How To Get Over Being Squeamish At The Sight Of Blood - WSJ

Is It Normal To Feel Sick During A Blood Draw?

Does The Sight Of Blood Make You Queasy? You're Not Alone - Scope

Hemophobia: Understanding And Overcoming Fear Of Blood

The Real Reason Some People Faint At The Sight Of Blood - Hella Health

This Is Why You Feel Faint When You See Blood | IFLScience

Fight, Flight Or ... Faint? Why Some People Pass Out When They See ...

Vasovagal Syncope - Symptoms And Causes - Mayo Clinic

Quick Dose: Why Do Some People Faint At The Sight Of Blood?

Contact