Know anything about conditions in which a person faints when hearing about te circulatory system?

Question

I know it's strange, but anything to do with the circulatory system-- the heart, veins, arteries, etc., if someone goes into detail about it I'll get faint, and pass out if I dont get away from it. The same occurs when I'm getting needles, even my blood pressure taken.

I've always been very interested with how the body works, and I can study and discuss in depth anything else, like the digestive system, reproductive, nervous system, etc. It seems like as soon as a blood vessel or something along that line is mentioned though I become very weak and will faint.

I've always just delt with it, as I know it will happen. The circulatory system I don't consider to be a phobia or anything like that. I feel like my mind can be interested in topics that pertain to the circulatory system, but my body just reacts on it's own. I know this isn't nesessarily what's happening, that's just how it feels to me.

Does anyone else have a similar problem, or know more about this?

Answer 1

I have a similar problem, but it does not go so far as "discussions" about circulatory functions. I cannnot touch another person's or my own pulse anywhere on the body. I had worked in a hospital many years ago as a "clinical assistant" on the psychiatric unit. I was kind of a counselor, shoulder to lean on, and chief cook and bottle washer to the patients. One of the things I was expected to do when I worked a double shift, replacing the nurse's aide on the nightshift, was to take the patient's TPRs (Temp., Pulse, and Respirations) in the morning when they first got up. The thought of touching another person's pulse gave me the "willies" so bad that I almost got sick over it. I asked whichever nurse I was working with if they would do it for me. Mostly they were okay about it, but a few thought I was shirking! I even have trouble putting my hand on my heart for the Pledge of Allegiance. I will put it nearby with very little pressure. That is enough to make me feel weak all over! When I have my blood pressure taken, and the device is tightening around my elbow pulse, I begin to almost hyperventilate at the thought of what will come next. That being my pulse getting louder and louder until it feels like it is going to burst! Sorry for the illiteration. I know that hearing that, or should I say visualizing that, would have turned me into a jellyfish! Sorry again!! Even when I saw my son's fetal video there was a sense of discomfort in the kind of undulating movement of the fetus with a heart monitor loudly (BA-BUM BA-BUM) broadcasting his heart rate! I'm getting the willies just writing about this. When I mention the willies, I'm referring to that weak feeling in my wrist pulse area that goes all the way down my hands, into the tips of my fingers that make my hands feel detached, weak, and kind of dead with a little tickle inside my wrist pulse area. All the while, I am feeling weak all over, nervously yawning a lot (sometimes), and I feel like lying down real badly! Do you relate to that description? I would think that you would, that is, if you haven't passed out yet!! I used to get the same feeling when I gave blood, but for some unexplainable reason, I've worked through that. I do not see this as a great debilitation, as I have a neurological handicap that takes up most of my complaining and whining time! As well, I've found somewhat effective ways to deal with, and to avoid the discomfort. Some of it I have even outgrown. I do not know your age, but from your writing you seem to be someone who is old enough to know themselves, or you are a younger person who is extremely bright and way ahead of your years. I've never expressed this particular problem before, and it feels good to be able to share these unique issues with others on this forum. Your situation seems a bit more pervasive than mine, if for no other reason than the fact that you speak of sometimes "fainting" . However, you seem to have a good handle on it, and have found ways to cope with it quite well! Good luck to both, or should I say, all of us!!

Answer 2

Yes, I have that as well. Even though it's in the body rather than in the mind, it's known as a "blood and needles phobia." I also have no prob dealing with any other organ system--I'm pre-med; I would get faint or sick when seeing blood/needles. It's a fairly common condition. I've overcome through two ways: 1) a special kind of somatic body work with a therapist--it's very difficult to find anyone trained in that, however, and 2) desensitization. Anyone can do desensitization, which is gradually exposing yourself to whatever is giving you the bad reaction until you're fully comfortable. You do it in various steps: for instance, your first step might be drawing needles and the heart, etc.; your second step might be looking at them in medical textbooks; your third step might be putting red koolaid in a syringe or something else like a needle; and so on, until you're ready to go do something like donate blood or have a conversation just about the circulatory system. I did a lot of the koolaid thing, and it really helped me (I did it while I was volunteering with a clinic and needed to be able to work with blood). Hope that helps!

Answer 3

I have something like that only I feel sick to my stomach and my joints sorta get stiff. I just went through surgery and all most lost it when it came to getting the IV put in. I also hate it when people talk about vains then try and touch mine, exp the ones in my arms. shivers*

Answer 4

sounds like a very severe phobia. you might want to seek some help with that.