I think it’s an actual phobia, my earliest memory is being held down by some doctors as they drew my blood. I’m not sure what to do about it:
- Continue ignoring doctors
- Simply accept the panic attack and get a blood test
- Try to get prescribed a single benzo or attempt to self medicate with phenibut before the test
- Go to actual therapy and successfuly eliminate the phobia (is this even possible?)
Yeah after typing this out the choice is clear. I will go with number 1.
In my experience, neither number 3 nor 4 are possible. You cannot reduce or eliminate this phobia, and they will never ever give you medication to make this less of a nightmare because it doesn’t really work and it can make it more challenging to actually get the blood draw. Same problem with self-medicating.
Your best bet is to try and find an excuse for a procedure where you’re under general anaesthesia and have the draw done while you’re under. This is the literal only way I’ve ever been able to get a draw done.
It’s ridiculous only dentists and maternity wards have nitrous available