Medical Questions » Blood Questions » Question No. 140
| Question: | I keep fainting at the sight of blood. This is very embarrassing as I am a trainee nurse! What can I do? |
| Answer: | Most people feel a bit uneasy when seeing blood, particularly when it is their own! You probably had an unpleasant experience early in life in which blood was involved.
Every time you see blood now, you expect to feel unwell, and you carry out your expectations. This then makes it worse next time.
What is required, is exposure to blood in a controlled situation. This may involve the understanding and help of theatre staff in your hospital allowing you to watch operations, or it may require the more expert help of a psychologist or psychiatrist who can help you rationalise and cope with your reaction. It is a problem that should be treated early, because every time you faint at the sight of blood makes it harder to overcome that fear. |
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