Squeamish - cure / therapy?
Discussion
I've been really squeamish as far back as I can remember, and I've no idea why, but it seems to be getting worse as I get older.
I'm currently on a waiting list for some knee surgery and the thought of it, and the after experience it almost giving me panic attacks so I thought I'd see if there was a 'cure' for my fear.
Is anyone else the same and has undergone some sort of therapy?
Thanks.
I'm currently on a waiting list for some knee surgery and the thought of it, and the after experience it almost giving me panic attacks so I thought I'd see if there was a 'cure' for my fear.
Is anyone else the same and has undergone some sort of therapy?
Thanks.
Go to Thailand on holiday. My wife, who doesn't like creepy things nonchelantly pulled a leech off her leg in the second week of being there - once something becomes regular, it's normal and you don't bat an eyelid anymore. Apparently leeches are less minging than cockroaches..
By the same logic, either go work in an abattoir, or visit Luton. Either way should cure you.
By the same logic, either go work in an abattoir, or visit Luton. Either way should cure you.
I used to be the same, until I got a job in a medical school!
Seriously, this is the kind of problem on which controlled exposure therapy works. What's more, you can do it yourself.
Start by thinking of something that makes you a little bit squeamish. Then, look it up on the web, and study it.
Let's say that the idea of an injection makes you a bit squeamish. Go to Google, aiming to make yourself an expert on injections, Learn about the hardware...what is is made of? What sizes of needle are needed? What are they used for? Then, learn about the types of injections exist and what they are used for. What's the difference between subcutaneous and intramuscular. Then, you can go on to study images of the hardware. Then, the hardware in use. Graduate to videos of injections.
Note that it is you who are in control - if anything upsets you too much, surf elsewhere. When you've become expert on the subject it won't too long until it begins to bore you.
The same goes on for virtually anything that affects you - it'll be there to study on the 'net. Just remember that you always have an escape route - that little 'X' in the top corner of your browser screen.
Seriously, this is the kind of problem on which controlled exposure therapy works. What's more, you can do it yourself.
Start by thinking of something that makes you a little bit squeamish. Then, look it up on the web, and study it.
Let's say that the idea of an injection makes you a bit squeamish. Go to Google, aiming to make yourself an expert on injections, Learn about the hardware...what is is made of? What sizes of needle are needed? What are they used for? Then, learn about the types of injections exist and what they are used for. What's the difference between subcutaneous and intramuscular. Then, you can go on to study images of the hardware. Then, the hardware in use. Graduate to videos of injections.
Note that it is you who are in control - if anything upsets you too much, surf elsewhere. When you've become expert on the subject it won't too long until it begins to bore you.
The same goes on for virtually anything that affects you - it'll be there to study on the 'net. Just remember that you always have an escape route - that little 'X' in the top corner of your browser screen.
Simply being in a hospital environment used to do it for me, and I used to hate the regular first aid courses we do. Made me feel nauseous at the thought of it.
What cured it for me was sitting in a delivery room with my wife, who'd already been in labour for over 30 hours at that point, and was just about to get an epidural and I could feel myself going. I just had a little word with myself, took a deep breath and got on with it. Never had a problem since. MTFU and you'll be fine.
After the second baby (CS) I had to give the OH injections at home to prevent blood clots - something I thought I'd never be able to do but actually it was fine, and being in control It was almost enjoyable!
What cured it for me was sitting in a delivery room with my wife, who'd already been in labour for over 30 hours at that point, and was just about to get an epidural and I could feel myself going. I just had a little word with myself, took a deep breath and got on with it. Never had a problem since. MTFU and you'll be fine.
After the second baby (CS) I had to give the OH injections at home to prevent blood clots - something I thought I'd never be able to do but actually it was fine, and being in control It was almost enjoyable!
Thanks for your replies. Some helpful suggestions there.
It's funny you should mention the giving birth subject, as I have been there, stayed overnight and experienced epidural attempts and I didn't feel squeamish at all, I think because I just had my game face on for my partner. But I don't seem to be able to do the same when it's just me that's involved.
I'll try some of the 'exposure' therapy and see how I get on.
It's funny you should mention the giving birth subject, as I have been there, stayed overnight and experienced epidural attempts and I didn't feel squeamish at all, I think because I just had my game face on for my partner. But I don't seem to be able to do the same when it's just me that's involved.
I'll try some of the 'exposure' therapy and see how I get on.
I was really squeamish and whilst I still am a little the main two events that have helped me recently were the wife giving birth and me suffering a neck of femur fracture, probably not the best couple of things to combine though!
I was dreading the birth but found myself fascinated by it all, even taking a peak to see the head, it did get a bit much when we had to go to theatre for forceps though.
Then just two weeks later (Yep!) I fell off my bike and broke my NoF, countless blood tests, injections, seeing the scar etc have all helped. I even had to give myself (well the wife did to start with) an injection everyday which I couldn't bear the thought of initially but one night the wife was in bed after a long day looking after the baby and I had to do it myself so from then on I just did it.
I still see some things in tv like 24hrs in A&E and feel a little queasy but I have improved a lot due to the above!
Haven't been able to go into my sons two inoculations so far though, poor little lad, I've sent the wife in!
I was dreading the birth but found myself fascinated by it all, even taking a peak to see the head, it did get a bit much when we had to go to theatre for forceps though.
Then just two weeks later (Yep!) I fell off my bike and broke my NoF, countless blood tests, injections, seeing the scar etc have all helped. I even had to give myself (well the wife did to start with) an injection everyday which I couldn't bear the thought of initially but one night the wife was in bed after a long day looking after the baby and I had to do it myself so from then on I just did it.
I still see some things in tv like 24hrs in A&E and feel a little queasy but I have improved a lot due to the above!
Haven't been able to go into my sons two inoculations so far though, poor little lad, I've sent the wife in!
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff