Definition of Hemophobia

Hemophobia is the fear of blood. For someone suffering from hemophobia, it can mean feeling extreme apprehension about the sight of your own blood or that of someone else.

Symptoms

• Hemophobia symptoms include shaking, nausea, sweating, loss of breath, dry mouth and anxiety attacks. Fainting is also a common symptom of hemophobia.

Causes

• There is no single proven cause of hemophobia or other blood-related phobias. The Journal of Clinical Psychology cites research which finds that hemophobia is likely caused as a result of a trauma in early childhood or teenage years.

Treatments

• Hypnosis and psychotherapy are common treatment methods for hemophobia. For extreme cases, pacemakers can be used to regulate heart rates during panic attacks.

Severity

• Some extreme cases of hemophobia can result in the sufferer electing a vegetarian diet to avoid contact with animal blood.

Self Management

• Proper hygiene, gloves and protective clothes can help some hemophobics to manage their fear when they must come in contact with blood, but it does not cure the phobia.