Fear of medical procedures
Fear of Medical Procedures
Fear of medical procedures (pronunciation: /fɪər ɒv ˈmɛdɪkəl prəˈsiːdʒəz/), also known as Medical Procedure Phobia or Tomophobia, is a specific type of phobia characterized by an intense, irrational fear of medical procedures. This fear can be triggered by various factors, including the fear of pain, the fear of needles, or the fear of the unknown.
Etymology
The term "Tomophobia" comes from the Greek words "tome," meaning "cutting," and "phobia," meaning "fear." It specifically refers to the fear of surgical operations or invasive medical procedures.
Symptoms
Symptoms of fear of medical procedures can vary from person to person, but they typically include extreme anxiety, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea, and fainting. These symptoms can be triggered by the thought of a medical procedure, the sight of medical instruments, or the anticipation of a medical appointment.
Related Terms
- Phobia: An irrational fear or aversion to something.
- Trypanophobia: The fear of needles or injections.
- Iatrophobia: The fear of doctors.
- Nosocomephobia: The fear of hospitals.
- Hemophobia: The fear of blood.
Treatment
Treatment for fear of medical procedures often involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and sometimes medication. CBT helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to fear and anxiety. Exposure therapy gradually exposes the individual to the feared situation to help them cope with their fear.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fear of medical procedures
- Wikipedia's article - Fear of medical procedures
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