How to get over squeamishness?

[kjj17]

I have a major problem with squeamishness. It's not blood and guts that usually gets to me, though, it's images of pain/injury (or seeing it in person - not much so far as an M1, but I'm sure will become a bigger issue in M3).

Basically, certain imagery will cause me to get an incontrollable sense of lightheadedness, I get dizzy and almost a little nauseous and super weak on my feet. I can't control it, I can't even predict it - 80% of graphic images are totally ok for me, but then a random 20% won't be. It happened a couple times when I shadowed physicians, it happened one time during anatomy lab, and it happens to me semi-routinely when just viewing clinical images.

I have no idea how to get over this and am terrified of making a fool of myself over the next 2 years as my clinical experiences ramp up. Should I watch violent movies to desensitize myself? lol. (up until now, I have generally avoided gory scenes for this very reason) I imagine this isn't totally uncommon, yet among my peers no one else seems to have this problem

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[GUH]

I have a major problem with squeamishness. It's not blood and guts that usually gets to me, though, it's images of pain/injury (or seeing it in person - not much so far as an M1, but I'm sure will become a bigger issue in M3).

Basically, certain imagery will cause me to get an incontrollable sense of lightheadedness, I get dizzy and almost a little nauseous and super weak on my feet. I can't control it, I can't even predict it - 80% of graphic images are totally ok for me, but then a random 20% won't be. It happened a couple times when I shadowed physicians, it happened one time during anatomy lab, and it happens to me semi-routinely when just viewing clinical images.

I have no idea how to get over this and am terrified of making a fool of myself over the next 2 years as my clinical experiences ramp up. Should I watch violent movies to desensitize myself? lol. (up until now, I have generally avoided gory scenes for this very reason) I imagine this isn't totally uncommon, yet among my peers no one else seems to have this problem

I occasionally passed out at the sight of blood, including once during college while working on harvesting organs from lab mice. The last episode happened a few years before starting med school though. I got lightheaded on my first day of anatomy lab but did not pass out. Like you, I was worried about third year. So far, third year has been pretty good and I've made it through a surgery rotation with lots of trauma and blood and most of my OB rotation without syncope. I got lightheaded once but it happened on a long case about 20 hours into a 32-hour call shift without having much to eat.

Things which may have helped:
1) The passage of time.
2) Exposure to images of blood and guts (in your case, injuries) during preclinical coursework.
3) I deliberately watched videos of surgeries and traumas (in your case, perhaps people in pain) prior to starting rotations. I know it's weird but you will see these things sooner or later anyways.
4) Staying hydrated
5) Occasionally looking away for a brief moment (looking at the monitor if in the OR, glancing at my clipboard or looking at the patient's eyes if in the trauma bay)
6) Sitting down in a chair when possible if the attending isn't watching

If this has happened to you several times before, be prepared to find a place to sit down quickly if you feel like you're going to pass out.

 

[ACSurgeon]

I occasionally passed out at the sight of blood, including once during college while working on harvesting organs from lab mice. The last episode happened a few years before starting med school though. I got lightheaded on my first day of anatomy lab but did not pass out. Like you, I was worried about third year. So far, third year has been pretty good and I've made it through a surgery rotation with lots of trauma and blood and most of my OB rotation without syncope. I got lightheaded once but it happened on a long case about 20 hours into a 32-hour call shift without having much to eat.

Things which may have helped:
1) The passage of time.
2) Exposure to images of blood and guts (in your case, injuries) during preclinical coursework.
3) I deliberately watched videos of surgeries and traumas (in your case, perhaps people in pain) prior to starting rotations. I know it's weird but you will see these things sooner or later anyways.
4) Staying hydrated
5) Occasionally looking away for a brief moment (looking at the monitor if in the OR, glancing at my clipboard or looking at the patient's eyes if in the trauma bay)
6) Sitting down in a chair when possible if the attending isn't watching

If this has happened to you several times before, be prepared to find a place to sit down quickly if you feel like you're going to pass out.

- exposure is key
- having insight into this problem is also crucial.
- rather than trying to sit down when no one is watching, you should be an adult about it and excuse yourself early when needed. Don't wait until you're about to pass out. The slightest hint that you're not feeling well and you say that you need to step away and go sit/clear your head/ get some water etc. surgeons especially are aware of this problem. We all rather you excuse yourself than have you pass out.

 

[GUH]

- exposure is key
- having insight into this problem is also crucial.
- rather than trying to sit down when no one is watching, you should be an adult about it and excuse yourself early when needed. Don't wait until you're about to pass out. The slightest hint that you're not feeling well and you say that you need to step away and go sit/clear your head/ get some water etc. surgeons especially are aware of this problem. We all rather you excuse yourself than have you pass out.

Oh no disagreement there! I meant that even without feeling lightheaded, I'll try to find a place to sit in those moments when I am not doing or watching anything.

I would definitely excuse myself if I felt like to I was going to conk out imminently.

 

[Mad Jack]

I have a major problem with squeamishness. It's not blood and guts that usually gets to me, though, it's images of pain/injury (or seeing it in person - not much so far as an M1, but I'm sure will become a bigger issue in M3).

Basically, certain imagery will cause me to get an incontrollable sense of lightheadedness, I get dizzy and almost a little nauseous and super weak on my feet. I can't control it, I can't even predict it - 80% of graphic images are totally ok for me, but then a random 20% won't be. It happened a couple times when I shadowed physicians, it happened one time during anatomy lab, and it happens to me semi-routinely when just viewing clinical images.

I have no idea how to get over this and am terrified of making a fool of myself over the next 2 years as my clinical experiences ramp up. Should I watch violent movies to desensitize myself? lol. (up until now, I have generally avoided gory scenes for this very reason) I imagine this isn't totally uncommon, yet among my peers no one else seems to have this problem

You'll never fully get over it, but you'll get better at dealing. To this day, spinal injuries, spinal taps, and that sort of thing just get me all messed up in person, despite having seen all sorts of awful in person. But I used to be much worse about them- couldn't even be in the room for more than a minute. It's weird though, some things just don't bother me- I've seen a bedside leg disarticulation and didn't even flinch.

 

[TBV]

Same. I got over it by inflicting pain and injuries on people. Try dark parking lots, always a good bet there.

 

[Psai]

Same. I got over it by inflicting pain and injuries on people. Try dark parking lots, always a good bet there.

Thanks for the suggestion

 

[kjj17]

thanks so much everyone! 🙂
(@TBV will do! haha)

 

[Tenk]

Always eat. I went to my first surgery (a c-section) as an ms3 on day 1 of obgyn on an empty stomach at 6 am. Bad idea. I almost passed out in the OR.

Try high protein, salty foods and stay hydrated.

Over time you won't even notice anymore.