What is the best way to overcome squeamishness?

JasonV · Rookie Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 9

I can't find a single post on this, although I'm starting to think the search function is broken.

You can obviously guess my predicament from the topic title: I want to be a doctor but I can't handle the blood and guts. Basically, I'm looking for two things: other people's stories, and advice on how to overcome this problem. Any input at all would be appreciated, and I apologise if there are already posts on here about this (because it seems like there would be) -- I just can't manage to find them.

macca_sti · Grizzled Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 148 Location: Bris

when you say that you are squeemish what do you mean, what situation? when you see things on tv? If thats the case I wouldnt be too concerend. Onc you are actually working and in the situation you attitude cahnges. I am a paramedic and to begin with I always wondered how I would deal with certain situations, but from day one it hasnt bothered me. You have a job to do and you do it and then you have your next patient.

JasonV · Rookie Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 9

No, it's usually the other way around. I can watch things on TV and read about them and even imagine them in detail without being put off, but once I'm face to face with those kinds of things, I start to feel nauseous and even light-headed.

Specifically, injections have always terrified me, and when I had to dissect a rat in biology class, even though I was better than I thought I'd be for the first half of the lesson, I eventually started to get woozy and had to stop for several minutes.

Also, particular parts of the body tend to get to me more than others, like the brain, the eyes, the genitals and the anus.

I really hope I get over it one day.

PassGAMSAT · Regular Joined: 08 Nov 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Sydney

A friend of mine when through med school ages ago. He said that when they used to watch autopsies, at first students would be fainting all around him. By the end of the course, they were in the back of the room watching and eating a sandwich. Laughing

So over time you get used to it. There are techniques to overcome or deal with it too. We were told to look away for a few moments, focus on our breathing, wiggle our toes and then look back at the speciment. I still get a bit queezy at times too.

Jikx · Rookie Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 3

You may want to rent the series "Autopsy: Life and Death" by Gunther von Hagens. This german doctor actually autopsies dead people infront of a live audience! If you can watch through this without getting a bit woozy, it's a good start.