Blood Test Fear: Tips for the Faint

Whether you hate needles, are scared of fainting or just don’t like the thought of someone sticking a little pointy piece of metal into your arm and sucking out tubes of blood, this post is for you. I personally fall into the ‘scared of fainting’ category because it’s happened to me so many times before. In the car on the way home, in the chair, on the bed, in the waiting room, even on the sidewalk where I got to lie for a while having curious bystanders watch and stare. BUT there have been three times where I have not fainted and from these times I’ve learnt a lot. So here are my best tips to avoiding fainting and overcoming blood test fear.

1. Mindset Shift

This is by far the most important so please don’t brush over it thinking its too spiritual-woo-woo. If you have spent years painting the picture of being a person who always faints, then it is that much more likely that you actually will. But I am here to tell you that you don’t have to faint if you don’t want to. Why do some people faint at the mere sight of blood? Is it that the sight of it did something to them? Or is it that they have a certain idea associated with seeing blood? Take it from me, a good mindset reset is essential in all areas of life, not just this. So instead of imagining yourself fainting on the way out of the room, imagine yourself going in, feeling completely calm, getting the test done without a problem and walking out happily. It’s also a good idea to stop thinking and telling people that you hate blood tests and you always faint, obviously you have to tell your doctors and nurses etc. but in general day to day life, try and avoid using this type of language. You will be surprised the difference it makes.

2. Gratitude

I apologise that I have another spiritual-woo-woo tip but this is the last one, promise. Writing gratitude lists is something that I have recently starting doing almost everyday. It really helps change your attitude and energy in any given situation. So, before my test, I sat down with my journal and wrote out my thanks for the staff at the medical centre, the staff who will analyse my blood, my doctor, and just the fact that we can find out all this information about ourselves from a little bit of blood. How cool is science?

3. Choose Carefully

There are a few things you should consider when deciding where to take your blood test. I would advise against going to a general pathology clinic. If you do faint, there won’t be doctors or nursers around to help. They also generally try to move patients in and out quickly. More times than one I have had them (not so) nicely encourage me to get up before I’m ready which caused me to pass out, which then makes the whole situation drag out even longer (so jokes on them lol).

The best bet would be to do the test at a medical centre, even better if its one that you are a patient at. I would also recommend going to a practice which is quieter or has empty rooms so you can have one of the beds if need be. I go to a small, local medical centre which has spare beds that sit unused. I take the blood test in one of those rooms and they allow me to stay for as long as I need.

The absolute best place in the whole wide world to get a blood test would probably be a hospital because:

a) nurses at hospitals are used to getting blood out of near corpses and people in much worse conditions than you so they will find a vain quickly, easily and painlessly and

b) there are beds and wheelchairs and doctors everywhere and if you are getting a blood test in a hospital, you are probably already lying down. So to my friends in hospital who are scared of needles, you’re lucky my friend because all things considered, it’s the best place to get a blood test done (also faster results woo!).

4. Come Prepared

Some good things to bring with you are water and food. Most of the time you have to fast so your blood sugar is already probably low so having some sweets to suck on after the test is a good idea. I would also opt for a water bottle to have small sips afterwards. On that note, if you are allowed water prior, make sure you are drinking in the morning. Not only does it help with the fainting issue but also helps them find a vain easily.

5. Bring a Buddy

This not only helps with moral support but also the possibility of passing out when your on the way to the car (shout out to my Dad who caught my head before it hit the pavement). It’s also pretty responsible to avoid driving just in case. But if you can’t find a buddy, don’t worry. If you follow the others steps you should be able to make it through on your own (but lucky we have Uber as a backup, hey?).

6. LIE DOWN

Seems like an obvious one but it must be said, LIE DOWN! This is the simplest and easiest thing you can do for yourself. In my humble opinion, the chair sucks and no one should get it done sitting up.

Also remember that if you put your legs up, it helps blood flow to your head. I wouldn’t do this until after the test is taken though, and if needed, see if the nurses can help you prop some pillows under your legs.

7. Call Ahead

Calling ahead is important not only to ensure that you are going to a place that can accommodate for you but also for peace of mind. It’s good to know that they are happy and willing to help and that they have the facilities and capabilities to do so. Questions to ask include:

• Do you have beds so I can lie down instead of sitting up?
• Do you have a doctor onsite?
• Do you have extra/spare rooms/beds that I can lie in for a longer period of time?
• What is the best time to come when you are least busy? (on this note: you don’t want to go too far out of the morning because of fasting, first thing in the morning is best but you definitely want to be one of the first there. It’s good to ask if a weekend or week day is busier and time time off work if you can.)
• Any other questions or concerns.

8. Establish your ‘Why’

Okay, maybe this one is the last spiritual-woo-woo tip. Why are you getting this blood test? Is it because you have been feeling unwell? Are you pregnant and need to get it done? There are so many reasons as to why you could be getting a blood test but knowing this and reminding yourself of it is so important. Ultimately, we are all getting it done for our overall health and wellbeing, so keep this in mind any time you think you might want to chicken out. At the end of the day, it’s one small inconvenience for increased health and that, as far as I’m concerned, is well worth the trouble.

So decide on your ‘why’ and keep reminding yourself of it. Over and over and over again.

9. Dress for the Occassion

You might get a little hot while this is going on, either because of anxiety or because of feeling faint. Either way, if you are worried about getting hot make sure you dress appropriately. Take your sweaters/jumpers off before going in for the test and stay in a comfy t-shirt. Pants are great because fainting in a skirt is awkward. Not that your gonna faint, because your not, but you know… just in case.

10. Don’t Rush

There has always been a fine line between pushing yourself and pushing yourself too hard. You know whats best for you and no one else. You are the only one who knows how you feel, and no one else. So if you feel like you need an extra 5 minutes, tell them. If you need to insist on lying down, insist. At the end of the day it’s going to make life harder for everyone if something does go wrong so its best to take the precautions if you are concerned. But, if you have prepared, you shouldn’t run into any problems with people rushing you out to make room for others.

So there you have it. 10 tips on how to face your next blood test. Can you tell I’ve over thought this? That’s one last little tip for the dedicated who are still here after this looonngggg post. Don’t over think it. Most of the time, the less you know the better and the less you think the better. You don’t need to study the process and know everything about it, nor do you have to think about every possible outcome. If you go into it relaxed, prepared and with a good mindset, you will be fine. Good luck and let me know how you go!