She tried giving blood - believing that fear was no excuse not to since it could be potentially life saving! She would almost certainly have passed out and showed classic signs of stress as the nurse pushed and probed to try and get the vein going again. She still insists on trying again, even though the prospect makes her tremble. Help?
2006-08-25 02:53:00 · 13 answers · asked by Jenny A 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
As a wasp phobic, I can understand the type of fear and dread your daughter feels when she tries to give blood, much respect and a huge well done to her for trying, it takes a lot to over come that type of fear. The good news is that phobias can be cured or at least reduced - a few sessions with a hypnotherapist changed my life, I used to hide indoors all summer and was always on edge, but now I can let a wasp land on me and still stay (relatively!) calm. I would suggest hypnotherapy for anyone with a phobia, no matter what it is, as it can be very effective. If your daughter is dubious about hypnotherapy, then desensitisation is also an effective method, although it does take longer, she can ask to be referred to a psychoanalyst who can work through it with her. Needle phobia is very common, but can be overcome. Pass on my best wishes.
2006-08-26 09:30:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well goodness, I did the same thing... My first year of college I figured that donating blood would be good for me, even though i hate needles and i cry everytime i have to get a shot or my blood taken, im terrified of them, but i have a rare blood type and figured i should help and I'd get over it, well I laid in the chair and was doing okay then i saw the needle and blood and got really nervous and woozy then passed out... They couldn't even use the blood they took cause I passed out before it was finished... I asked the nurse and she told me that its good to want to help but its not worth the time it takes and the medical supplies on someone who is that afraid of needles in the time they took trying to calm me down and then help me cause i passed out they couldve taken 2 other "normal" donations... so even though i did it cause i wanted to help, I ended up not helping and just causing more of a problem, so tell her to find something else to do if she really wants to "give back to the community" there are hundreds of other things that need to be done... and can be life saving without needles involved...
2006-08-25 10:17:09 · answer #2 · answered by BeachLvr2006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For some reason she feels the need to overcome this fear. I have the same problem but I don't give blood because frankly, I can't stand getting sick and passing out. Selfish? Maybe.
Also, giving blood isn't the only path to helping people. There are a lot of causes she could donate her time to without suffering for it as a result.
2006-08-25 10:07:00 · answer #3 · answered by Meggsy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't say how old your daughter is, but I believe one must be 18 to give blood. In that case, your daughter is an adult and capable of making her own decisions. Stay out of it.
The employees who draw blood do not, in my experience, push and probe. They are better trained than that. They are also trained to care for those who have a bad reaction. If, for some reason, your daughter does not make a good blood donor, that will be noted and she may be rejected the next time she tries.
2006-08-25 10:06:51 · answer #4 · answered by carolewkelly 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If she is needle phobic and had a vein collapse and she still wants to try again, apparently she feels it is important for her to do this. She wants to save lives, let her.
2006-08-27 19:44:59 · answer #5 · answered by real_sweetheart_76 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's great that she still wants to try. If she continues to try and it doesn't work, maybe she can get involved with organizing or publicizing a blood drive. This way she can still play a big part in helping to save lives, just in a different capacity.
2006-08-25 10:00:32 · answer #6 · answered by Krista D 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell her to watch someone else have the canula inserted who isn't at all nervous. Ask them first. This will show her that there is nothingto fear. Fear of the unknown is always worse than what actually takes place. She came come and watch needles going in to me anytime!
2006-08-25 10:02:52 · answer #7 · answered by Mike10613 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if she still wants to give blood, what's the question? my vein collapsed before giving blood too, not a big deal. tell her to take some deep breaths. if she wants to, she wants to, but obviously if she can't control her fear then it's not like this is something she HAS to do.
2006-08-25 10:19:12 · answer #8 · answered by B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess thats the best way to fight her phobia, but if you think that she is putting herself under too much stress that it could be dangerous, try and stop her...
2006-08-25 10:00:21 · answer #9 · answered by -mystery- 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well if she want to do it let her get her to close her eyes and ask the nurse to use the numbing gel they use
2006-08-25 10:44:19 · answer #10 · answered by munchie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋