Stress Center Peer Support

Does anyone have a good way of overcoming the fear of giving blood? I have tattoos and I have had allergy tests twice where the pricked all over my back, but I can't for some reason get over the anxiety of giving blood. I can't believe it would be that bad. Does anybody have a trick on how to conquer this fear?

If it not the pain you fear, then are you afraid you won't have enough left for you to survive? That's what has always bothered me. Pain is part of life, but as far as giving, I feel like I there might not be enough left when I am done.

It's just seeing the needle in there. Funny enough, I find it makes me more squeamish when it is taken from the crook in your arm (the otherside of your elbow).

Hi Adam1974,
Let's throw a little humor into this one. I need to, truly. Just the thought, ugh.
What the heck are you LOOKING at the needle for???

Have to admit, I'm one of the worst wimps when it comes to having blood drawn from my arm. Makes me cringe just to think of it and that's our problem --We think about it too much before we get there.
Ahhh nothing like anticipatory anxiety.
So keep yourself busy before the appointment and listen to some good music or a program tape on your way.
A few tricks I do when I get there--
#1 Don't look at what's going on. That's a given
Keep talking while it's happening -distraction. Throw a joke in here or there. Try it.
Bring a bottle of water to sip on the whole time. Distraction again.
Other than that say " Please God let's get this over with in a hurry" AND
be really nice to the technician.
Seriously, keep telling yourself that it IS over with quickly and that it's never as bad as the image we conjure up in our minds. The worst part is worrying about the whole thing ahead of time. Right? We have such amazing imaginations.
Hugs to you.

you're right