Blood-injury phobia

Blood-injury phobia is a unique and peculiar phobia. It is different from other phobias in that it evokes a diphasic cardiovascular response; it has a propensity to induce fainting and nausea more than fear and anxiety; and often there is a family history of a similar phobia. Although it may cause no great difficulty or social handicap in everyday life compared to social phobia, agoraphobia or other simple phobias, it can have grave implications and may even become life-threatening when it prevents essential medical procedures. Unfortunately, not many of its sufferers come for treatment until circumstances require urgent attention. Yet, it can be effectively treated behaviourally by modeling and exposure therapy. Two cases of this fascinating condition are described.