BII-phobics may be given pictures of needles or blood, asked to illustrate needles or scenes with blood, or to speak about their phobic triggers. This systematically progresses to the point of the individual directly confronting a phobic stimulus: being given a needle, witnessing blood being drawn, etc. As exposure continues, it is expected that the phobic response will become less pronounced, and symptoms less debilitating.While AT targets the phobia’s physiological response, aiming to raise blood pressure and directly prevent fainting, AR focuses mainly on helping an individual avoid the phobia’s associated anxiety. A phobic will learn progressive relaxation techniques to help to calm themselves upon exposure to a trigger. Temporary alleviation of symptoms
Drinking water before a triggering experience such as blood donation has been indicated to aid in prevention of a fainting response. Water will increase sympathetic nervous system activation, raising blood pressure and combating vasovagal response.Certain physical maneuvers also have the capacity to temporarily boost blood pressure, alleviating symptoms of pre-syncope like lightheadedness by boosting blood flow to the brain. These include the phobic individual crossing their legs, making tight fists with both hands, or engaging muscles of the trunk or arms. Coughing, which can similarly increase cranial blood flow, can also be useful as a coping mechanism to avoid pre-syncope and syncope.Symptoms of a phobic response are generally able to be fully alleviated within a few minutes simply by removing the phobic trigger.
Increase in stress hormone release (particularly of cortisol and corticotrophin) is typical.Neurological responses to phobic triggers include activation of the bilateral occipito-parietal cortex and the thalamus. It has also been suggested that exposing a BII-phobic individual to a trigger will lead to decreased activity in the brains medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Diminished MPFC activity has been linked with impaired ability to control emotional responses. This lessened emotional control could contribute to a general lack of control over symptoms of anxiety arising when exposed to a phobic trigger. Complications
On the health of those with the phobia
The health of individuals with BII phobia can be jeopardized by the condition as a result of avoidance of phobic triggers. As modern healthcare relies increasingly on injections, it can be difficult for phobics to receive the care they need, since situations involving injections, vaccinations, drawing of blood, etc. are usually avoided. Avoidant behaviors can be especially detrimental to an individuals well-being if they are diabetic and require insulin injections, or experience another pathology or disease which requires treatment via self-injection, such as MS. There may be inappropriate cessation of injection treatment by individuals with the phobia, potentially causing adverse events or reducing treatment efficacy.Bodily injuries may also be sustained in the course of a fainting response to a phobic trigger.