Illogical Fear Number... 4? I've lost track
OK, this is kind of 3 rolled in under one heading.
So, let's start with the one I'm best with
Needles
I'm not so good with needles. I fear and dread them. Reactions have ranged from mere nerves to passing out, hysterics and going in to shock during or after blood is drawn. I'm also one of those people who cannot donate blood to reduce my fear of needles. I remember passing out after my Tetanus shot 10 years ago preparing for my trip to the USA. I got excited the other day when told they don't administer Boosters anymore, unless you've been stuck with something that might give you tetanus. The times I've been in hospital overnight with a drip etc, having drugs administered through it freaks me out, I can't look at it until it's removed.
I had the flu shot at work a few weeks ago. Told the nurse I am bad with needles. She offered to lay me down for the shot - that's when I realised I'm not nearly as bad as some others! But this will be an ongoing fear for my life I think.
Pain
Yep, unsurprising, I'm shit scared of pain. I have no problem with heights, the idea of jumping off things or out of planes etc, but when there's a very real possibility of causing physical pain to my body - nope, I'll tap out. It's probably why I like playing goal keeper in hockey, covered in pads and feeling more protected than anything else. I often imagine getting hit in the face with a hockey ball, but I still play. Pain related to my face is more scary. Often it's cutting, bleeding pain which is scariest.
Medical Procedures
OK, I probably shouldn't watch House and Grey's Anatomy because I'm sure it doesn't help.
I have recently recognised that I have a fear of medical procedures, blood taking, for obvious reasons, but especially operations where I am under a general anesthetic - there's something to do with being out of control and unconscious. Though having proceedures done under a local would freak me out just as much if not more.
Now, I've had 2 fairly major surgeries where I have been under a general, a knee reconstruction in 2001 (LOTS of pain there - to the point I considered holding on instead of using the bathroom for days at a time but was physically unable to avoid toileting). The other was a minor surgery on my lower back in 2006 which I feared would be excruciatingly painful. It actually wasn't bad, mainly discomfort and occasional pain. I had my tonsils out as a kid but don't really remember it.
So I've survived surgeries before, no worries. Some pain. Some discomfort. Some unpleasant reactions to the anesthetic but nothing traumatising (usually forgetting to breathe and vomiting).
At 7am tomorrow morning, I have to be at Westmead Private Hospital for about an 8am surgery to have all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed. Day Surgery, I should be home after lunch.
Half the time I ignore it, disbelieve it's tomorrow, distract myself... the rest of the time? My brain just goes "Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck". I was chatting to Finn and I can't really pinpoint the absolute terror involved. It's a simple procedure, they're not currently problematic, I'm young and really this is not going to be an issue. It's logical, I understand that this will all be fine.
I'm still bloody scared!
So, let's start with the one I'm best with
Needles
I'm not so good with needles. I fear and dread them. Reactions have ranged from mere nerves to passing out, hysterics and going in to shock during or after blood is drawn. I'm also one of those people who cannot donate blood to reduce my fear of needles. I remember passing out after my Tetanus shot 10 years ago preparing for my trip to the USA. I got excited the other day when told they don't administer Boosters anymore, unless you've been stuck with something that might give you tetanus. The times I've been in hospital overnight with a drip etc, having drugs administered through it freaks me out, I can't look at it until it's removed.
I had the flu shot at work a few weeks ago. Told the nurse I am bad with needles. She offered to lay me down for the shot - that's when I realised I'm not nearly as bad as some others! But this will be an ongoing fear for my life I think.
Pain
Yep, unsurprising, I'm shit scared of pain. I have no problem with heights, the idea of jumping off things or out of planes etc, but when there's a very real possibility of causing physical pain to my body - nope, I'll tap out. It's probably why I like playing goal keeper in hockey, covered in pads and feeling more protected than anything else. I often imagine getting hit in the face with a hockey ball, but I still play. Pain related to my face is more scary. Often it's cutting, bleeding pain which is scariest.
Medical Procedures
OK, I probably shouldn't watch House and Grey's Anatomy because I'm sure it doesn't help.
I have recently recognised that I have a fear of medical procedures, blood taking, for obvious reasons, but especially operations where I am under a general anesthetic - there's something to do with being out of control and unconscious. Though having proceedures done under a local would freak me out just as much if not more.
Now, I've had 2 fairly major surgeries where I have been under a general, a knee reconstruction in 2001 (LOTS of pain there - to the point I considered holding on instead of using the bathroom for days at a time but was physically unable to avoid toileting). The other was a minor surgery on my lower back in 2006 which I feared would be excruciatingly painful. It actually wasn't bad, mainly discomfort and occasional pain. I had my tonsils out as a kid but don't really remember it.
So I've survived surgeries before, no worries. Some pain. Some discomfort. Some unpleasant reactions to the anesthetic but nothing traumatising (usually forgetting to breathe and vomiting).
At 7am tomorrow morning, I have to be at Westmead Private Hospital for about an 8am surgery to have all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed. Day Surgery, I should be home after lunch.
Half the time I ignore it, disbelieve it's tomorrow, distract myself... the rest of the time? My brain just goes "Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck". I was chatting to Finn and I can't really pinpoint the absolute terror involved. It's a simple procedure, they're not currently problematic, I'm young and really this is not going to be an issue. It's logical, I understand that this will all be fine.
I'm still bloody scared!