Facing Fears

We're all afraid of something; and if you say you're not, you're full of crap. Being afraid of failure, losing a loved one, running into financial troubles, etc. are all normal fears. But what about the really big fears?

My dad had a friend who had agoraphobia: a fear of leaving the house. Can you imagine never stepping outside of your home because you're afraid of what may await you outside?

What about pteromerhanophobia? The fear of flying. I've been asked a few times if it worries me that Andrew is a pilot because "flying is scary." My answer is always the same, "I'm not afraid to get into a car and flying is safer than driving - so no." But to many people, although they have no second thoughts about getting into a car, they go into full on panic attacks with just the thought of getting on a plane.

So what am I afraid of?

Blood being taken.

I can deal with needles in my arm. I have absolutely no problem with that. But, the thought of a needle going into my vein and blood being drawn from it puts me into full on panic attacks.

Then I went to the doctor, to ask about some shots I might need for a potential upcoming trip. Since there's no record on file of my medical history, it was hard for the doctor to determine what shots I might need.

"It would be best if we did a blood test to determine what shots you've already been given," she told me.

A what?

A blood test?

Where you stick a needle in my vein and take blood from me?

Uh, no thanks, I said.

But then I thought about it. Really thought about it. I told myself that I really want kids one day (don't read too far into that. I said one day. I didn't say one day soon). If I'm going to have kids, I'm going to have to do a ton of blood tests. I can't be afraid. I need to just do it.

What's the best way of getting over a fear? I asked myself.

Facing it head on.

"Fine," I told the doctor. "I'll do it. I'll get the blood test done."

So, right then and there, she took my blood.

I closed my eyes and looked away (which, in hindsight, makes no sense since my eyes were closed anyway). I felt a little pinch as the doctor spoke to me and before I knew it, she said we were done.

"That was it?" I asked. "That wasn't bad at all!"

I wore my cotton ball band-aid proudly for the rest of the afternoon.

The worst part of the experience was taking the latex tape off my arm. Holy crap, that hurt.

Do you have any fears? Have you faced any of them head on?