Fear of blood tests
A fear of blood tests can turn a five minute appointment into something you dread for weeks, with your stomach turning and your head going light the moment you sit in the chair.
Many people find that with the right help, they can roll up a sleeve feeling steady, get the test done and get on with their day.
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Understanding this fear
Lots of people dislike blood tests. With a fear of blood tests, the feeling is strong enough to make you put off or cancel tests you need. For some people the fear is the needle, for some it is the sight of blood, and for some it is the fear of fainting. Many people with this fear really do feel faint, because their blood pressure dips when they see blood or a needle.
It is closely linked to a fear of needles, a fear of blood, a fear of fainting and a fear of doctors. Knowing which part of the test worries you most is the first step to making it easier.
Common triggers
- The needle going in
- Seeing blood in the tube
- The tourniquet tightening
- Waiting for your name to be called
- A test that was difficult before
- Being asked to fast beforehand
- Worrying about the results
- Being told to look away
Where it shows up
- GP surgeries and health centres
- Hospital phlebotomy clinics
- Antenatal appointments in pregnancy
- Health checks for work or insurance
- Ongoing tests for a long term condition
- Blood donation
- Private health screening
Symptoms
In your body
- Racing heart, then a sudden drop
- Feeling faint, light-headed or going pale
- Feeling sick
- Sweating or feeling hot and clammy
- Tense arms and shoulders
In your mind
- What if I faint in front of everyone?
- Picturing the needle or the blood
- Worrying the nurse will miss the vein
- Dreading the results
- Feeling embarrassed about being scared
What you might do
- Putting off or cancelling tests
- Looking away and holding your breath
- Asking to lie down
- Bringing someone with you
- Avoiding check-ups altogether
What causes it
A painful or difficult blood test, fainting during one, or a frightening time in hospital can be enough to start it. Some people have a natural tendency to feel faint at the sight of blood or needles, and this can run in families. Others pick it up from a parent who was scared. Once the fear is there, putting off tests brings quick relief, which teaches your mind that tests really were dangerous, so the fear grows.
How it can affect your life
A fear of blood tests can quietly get in the way of your health. People delay check-ups, miss tests for long term conditions, worry through pregnancy appointments and turn down jobs that need a health check. It can also leave you feeling embarrassed about something that seems simple to everyone else.
Things that can help day to day
- Tell the person taking your blood that you are nervous, as they deal with this every day
- Ask to lie down if you have felt faint before
- If you tend to feel faint, ask about tensing the muscles in your arms, legs and body for a few seconds, which can help keep your blood pressure up
- Drink some water beforehand, unless you have been told to fast
- Breathe out slowly, a little longer than you breathe in, and look at something calm in the room
When to get help
It is worth getting help if you are putting off or cancelling blood tests, missing care you need, or worried about tests in pregnancy. Please do not stop having tests your doctor has asked for. Talk to your GP or practice nurse about how you feel, as they can often make changes to help, and getting help with the fear alongside is a good idea.
How I can help
If you’ve tried to talk yourself out of this fear and it hasn’t worked, that isn’t a lack of willpower. A phobia is an alarm your mind learned, and logic alone rarely switches it off.
When I work with a fear of blood tests, I first find out what the fear is really about for you, whether that is the needle, the blood, fainting or a past bad experience. Using hypnotherapy and NLP over Zoom, I help your mind let go of the old alarm, so a blood test becomes a few minutes in a chair. We rehearse the appointment in your mind, calmly and in detail, from the waiting room to walking out. You get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to before your test.
I’ve spent 17 years in clinical practice and helped more than 1,000 people with phobias. I hold a Postgraduate Certificate and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy, both with Distinction.
If you’re feeling low or on edge most of the time, talking to your GP or someone you trust can help too.
Common questions
Why do I faint at blood tests?
Some people’s blood pressure drops quickly when they see blood or a needle. This is a real body response, not weakness. Lying down, tensing your muscles and telling the nurse can all help.
Is a fear of blood tests the same as a fear of needles?
They often go together, but not always. Some people are fine with an injection and only struggle with seeing blood, or the other way round. We have pages on the fear of needles and the fear of blood too.
Can I bring someone with me?
Usually, yes. Many people find it helps to have someone with them to talk to. Ask your surgery or clinic when you book.
How do sessions work?
I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to this fear. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.
How many sessions will I need?
Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.
Further reading: NHS: Phobias · NHS: Blood tests · Patient.info: How to get over a fear of blood tests
Ready to start?
A short call is the simplest next step. We’ll talk about your fear, what you’d like to feel instead, and whether I’m the right person to help.
- Take the free test at the top of this page to see how strong your fear is.
- Book a 30 minute call. Use code PHOBIA at checkout for half price: £24.50 instead of £49 ($29.50 outside the UK).
- Start your sessions over Zoom from wherever you live, or face to face in Hertfordshire.
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