The sight of blood may send a tingling sensation to your spine. It is in many ways the sign of life, but in more ways a sign of injury, accident, hostility, weakness, and death. For many, blood can be an unwelcome sight that brings about anxiety, nausea, sadness, and fear.

In recent times, blood has in some ways become countercultural. From the world of arts to the realm of cinema, from the manual of sports entertainment to the domain of small screen programming, blood symbolizes courage, downfall, mortality, violence, and existence.

In cinema, there is one word that describes a film that does not shy away from bloody scenes: gory. A gory film is often criticized for the way blood is depicted. Many conservatives view such outlet of creativity as a sign of the turbulent times and the corruption that has engulfed the minds of younger generations. In Hollywood, for example, the more blood incorporated within a film, the more action-packed it becomes and the cooler it looks, which is very different from generations past. Blame Bonnie and Clyde for that one. The irony of it: even though people shy away from the sight of blood, artists and creators of cultural works have constantly and continuously used blood as a means to convey emotions and insight.

Fear of Blood

Blood phobia or hemophobia is the irrational and extreme fear of blood. This type of phobia can cause physical reactions that are uncommon with other fears, most notably vasovagal synocope or fainting.

As stated earlier, blood has been incorporated in popular culture in recent years. While many people who suffered from hemophobia before the dawn of new-age technology were aware of their weakness, they were not so often exposed to it. Recently, however, more people have become fearful of blood. The association of blood with violence, killings, and death has caused many people to suffer from hemophobia.

To know if you are suffering from an irrational and extreme fear of blood, here are the symptoms:

• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Excessive sweating
• Dry mouth
• Feeling sick
• Heart palpitations
• Shaking
• Inability to speak or think clearly
• Becoming mad or losing control
• Fear of dying
• A sensation of detachment from reality
• Full blown anxiety attack

If you experience some of these symptoms, you probably are suffering from hemophobia. Do not worry. Though fear is common, it is treatable.

The Escape

Hemophobia is an intense fear of something associated with blood that poses no actual danger. While people who suffer from it realize their fear is irrational, they often find that facing or even thinking about it brings on a panic or anxiety attack. However, with the right attitude and proper help, anyone suffering from hemophobia may be free from such fear.

Treatment Options

Hypnotherapy. This a method that reconfigures your subconscious “programs” that may be causing your fear. When the programs are debugged, the symptoms of hemophobia are often minimized. However, some people view hypnotherapy as a violation of privacy and personal decision-making. The feeling of loss of control can be the result of the doctor playing with the patient's personal software. Hypnotherapy, nevertheless, is safe and effective.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Also referred to as NLP, this method of treatment is the study and practice of creating your own reality. From the NLP viewpoint, a phobia is the result of programs that you have created that do not work properly. With this method of treatment, the programs are reprogrammed so that the hemophobia is minimized and even eliminated. Oftentimes, the interventions are quite rapid and effective.

Energy Psychology. This method is emerging as an excellent therapy for phobias. Studies show that energy psychology is rapid, safe, effective, and long-lasting. It is based on a theory and practice that has been present for thousands of years. Similar to acupuncture in foundation sans the needles. It is sometimes referred to as emotional acupuncture.

There are a lot of advantages to this method, including:

• You quickly and easily change your behavior.
• You are active in your own recovery.
• You are in control.
• You are able to relax.
• Your thought patterns change, often very quickly.
• You develop skills and techniques that are useful for various phobia situations.
• You can release your phobia in a short period of time.

Psychotherapy. This is an effective method that is used by doctors to treat phobias and other psychological problems. Here are psychotherapy tips on how to get rid of hemophobia:

• Strain your muscles. Hemophobia is accompanied by low blood pressure. If you feel like fainting, you should strain your muscles. Move your hands and legs to stimulate blood circulation.
• Do not be scared. Do not worry or panic when there is blood on you, on other people, or when you see it on the television. Just think about all the harder things you have endured, and how you eased your way through them. When you fear even the word blood, you may write the word on a sheet of paper and say it aloud. Try to face your fear and do it mind over matter. Eventually, you would completely be hemophobia-free.
• Inquire and dramatize. Dramatize a situation. Act as if you were undergoing a procedure that involves blood. Inquire about the procedure from experts and family members, then perform a dramatization. This will help you confront your fear and eventually overcome it.

Medical Device. The use of medical tools, such as pacemakers, could treat people suffering from hemophobia. The machine controls heart palpitations and regulates the blood pressure to prevent more troubling symptoms caused by blood phobia. Surgical instruments could also serve as means of familiarity for the sufferer. By exposing the person to tools that are associated with blood, he or she can gradually confront hemophobia and beat it.

Technological Device. The use of technological devices, such as slide and video films, can treat people who have a fear of blood by gradually exposing them to the fear factor. The person starts by lying down to reduce the risk of fainting, then gradually progresses to sitting and standing as treatment goes on.

The fear of blood can be life-long burden that can affect many people. With the prevalence of media devices and the increasing violence in most countries, blood is often shown as a symbol of many things. Try to overcome your hemophobia and you will have an easier time dealing with the going-ons in the world. Face your fear and have a brand new perspective in life.