Blood-injection-injury phobia in a commercial aviator: a case report

A small percentage of the population suffers from blood-injection-injury phobia. These individuals can have vasodepressor syncope related to episodes when their phobia is triggered by a stimulus such as the sight of blood or receiving an injection. A case is presented in which a commercial aviator had a vasodepressor syncopal event during flight. She is referred for evaluation. A discussion of the diagnosis, disease, treatment, and follow-up recommendations are included.