Blood drawn

[MooMoo603]

I have extremely bad anxiety (like have trouble going places type of thing) and I have to get blood drawn for testing...
I'm only 14 so I can't really just "miss" the appointment, and my dad doesn't understand my anxiety. He thinks that throwing it at me without any coping skills, or any way of mW knowing what to do or how to act is how to overcome it... This usually causes more anxiety.
I am absolutely terrified... I've sat in my room rocking back and forth crying and worrying about it. Its still a few weeks away and this is how I act... I'm so scared...
But I can't go to my dad because he'll just brush it off and act like it'd not worth dealing with...

[rocketgirl1210]

So, I have a few questions to ask. But first thing's first, take a deep breath, relax, and focus. What makes you anxious about getting blood drawn? Has there been a situation involving getting your blood drawn that triggers your anxiety?

Also, have you spoken to a doctor about your anxiety? For being 14, it seems your anxiety is through the roof and you should be speaking to a therapist about it. This is something you need to explain to your father that this needs to be done. Brushing it off will not fix the problem.

[MooMoo603]

@rocketgirl1210 I just have extremely bad anxiety about it. I did get a sewing needle stuck in my knee once, but I was scared of needles since before that.
Of course then I have to think about the blood. I have self harmed in the past and any sight of blood and injury can cause both hallucinations and thoughts/ actions I haven't had for a while...

[AnxiousNoMore]

You are right, he is not using the right approach. That is probably because he doesn't understand the fear so has assumed it can't exist in someone else.
Do you go to a large school where you can talk to a counselor about your fear, to see if they can help or if they can't, they might refer you to someone in therapy that can?