You won't find graphic images or descriptions of medical objects or procedures on this site. That's because this site is built by and for phobia sufferers.
You won't find advice to just calm down, breathe, and get over it. That's because this site is dedicated to promoting accurate, evidence-based information and education on this challenging phobia.
For people with medical phobias + the therapists who help them
Let’s challenge these myths about medical phobias
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This couldn't be more false. Even nurses and doctors can have medical phobias that cause them to delay or avoid medical care.
While someone may desperately want and need medical attention, their phobia may cause them to lose consciousness or lose control of their body. They do not have conscious control of these reactions. This phobia deserves effective treatment and support.
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All phobias are, by definition, not “rational.” And, medical phobias aren’t a fear of pain - otherwise, they would be called a pain phobia!
Someone who engages in extreme sports, or has a high pain threshold, or laughs off pain and injury could still have a severe medical phobia.
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Phobias are quite different than everyday anxiety. Someone could be a meditation instructor and still not be able to "breathe the phobia away."
Additionally, medical phobia is different than other phobias. While others cause our heart rate and blood pressure to increase, medical phobia can do the opposite. Some misguided efforts to relax can increase the chance of fainting, which is not only unhelpful, it can further traumatize the nervous system and deepen the phobia in the long run.
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Specific Phobia according to the DSM-5 is exactly that - specific!
People with medical phobias may have diverse triggers, but one thing they all have in common is that they are to specific medical procedures, or the medical environment. Piercings and tattoos may not worry someone with a medical phobia at all.
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While this sounds intuitive, this statement misses crucial points.
First, people with medical phobia ARE already brave - that's why this site is called Brave Enough.
The "just do it" approach can sometimes make a phobia worse, not better.
While it’s true that Exposure Therapy can be extremely effective for medical phobias, Exposure Therapy is done through a slow, gradual, collaborative approach to exposure.
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Medical phobia can be so severe that the person faints and/or loses control of their body simply from seeing or thinking about their triggers. They do not have control over these reactions.
No one likes parking tickets, but imagine if you ended up unconscious every time someone even talked about parking!
How many of these myths did you believe?
Were you surprised by anything you learned?
Share this page to help fight these myths!
Why We Exist
This phobia is misunderstood, widespread, and impacts more people than you might think.
The usual advice is to “speak to a therapist”.
The problem is, few resources exist to train therapists on medical phobias and medical trauma. Therapists are doing their best, but they’re often working in isolation and reinventing the wheel to treat this challenging condition.
This website exists to share better, up-to-date, compassionate information with phobia sufferers, therapists, parents, and support people.
For Therapists
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Treating this phobia can make an incredible impact.
And, it can be complicated. You don't have to go it alone, or re-invent the wheel. Get connected with a passionate community and learn effective techniques, evidence-based insights, and empathetic practice.
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