The survival part of this makes sense:
"Blood signals danger (think predator) and fainting is a way of 'playing dead.'". In the fight or flight response, blood rushes to your limbs, in order to aid in physically protecting yourself or fleeing the situation quickly. Your body does not "waste" its resources on such things as digestion (another possible reason many people get a upset stomach when they are stressed). So, it makes perfect sense that the blood rushing to your limbs can make you faint or light-headed, as well as the rapid breathing that is also associated with the fight-or flight response.
I never thought about my fear of needles as being part of my survival technique that this pointy, sharp object inherently means "danger". It's not the blood for me, but the needle.
When I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes, I had to "get over" my "overreaction" quickly, as I had lots and lots of blood drawn, and had to prick my finger several times each day for several months. It eventually just became a reaction that wasn't worth the hassle, and I was able to shrug the nervousness away.
My way of handling the needle situation (I now have allergy shots, two of them twice per week!).
- I don't look at the needle anymore
- I tell the nurse to "treat me like a 3 year old", and they usually are more gentle. It also feels like I'm in more control of the situation, and I hear myself saying it is not going to be too bad.
- Then, I just take a deep breath and breath out as the needle goes in. It really works!
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That is very interesting!
The survival part of this makes sense:
"Blood signals danger (think predator) and fainting is a way of 'playing dead.'". In the fight or flight response, blood rushes to your limbs, in order to aid in physically protecting yourself or fleeing the situation quickly. Your body does not "waste" its resources on such things as digestion (another possible reason many people get a upset stomach when they are stressed). So, it makes perfect sense that the blood rushing to your limbs can make you faint or light-headed, as well as the rapid breathing that is also associated with the fight-or flight response.
I never thought about my fear of needles as being part of my survival technique that this pointy, sharp object inherently means "danger". It's not the blood for me, but the needle.
When I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes, I had to "get over" my "overreaction" quickly, as I had lots and lots of blood drawn, and had to prick my finger several times each day for several months. It eventually just became a reaction that wasn't worth the hassle, and I was able to shrug the nervousness away.
My way of handling the needle situation (I now have allergy shots, two of them twice per week!).
- I don't look at the needle anymore
- I tell the nurse to "treat me like a 3 year old", and they usually are more gentle. It also feels like I'm in more control of the situation, and I hear myself saying it is not going to be too bad.
- Then, I just take a deep breath and breath out as the needle goes in. It really works!
Tina---best of luck! Let us know how you do.
October 26, 2008 - 7:42pmThis Comment
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