Afraid of Blood: Difference between revisions

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In [[Real Life]], [[wikipedia:Hemophobia|hemophobia]] is an anxiety disorder characterized by -- [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|well]] -- extreme fear of blood. Treatments exist, but the condition tends to be lifelong and is usually caused by childhood trauma.
In [[Real Life]], [[wikipedia:Hemophobia|hemophobia]] is an anxiety disorder characterized by -- [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|well]]—extreme fear of blood. Treatments exist, but the condition tends to be lifelong and is usually caused by childhood trauma.


In fiction, being [[Afraid of Blood]] is much the same, though the symptoms tend to run a rather more colorful gamut from mere extreme discomfort or nausea to falling unconscious on the spot to awakening [[Super-Powered Evil Side|superpowered evil sides]]. Note that there is some scientific basis to this: physical reactions uncommon in most other phobias have been recorded in cases of fear of blood.
In fiction, being '''Afraid of Blood''' is much the same, though the symptoms tend to run a rather more colorful gamut from mere extreme discomfort or nausea to falling unconscious on the spot to awakening [[Super-Powered Evil Side|superpowered evil sides]]. Note that there is some scientific basis to this: physical reactions uncommon in most other phobias have been recorded in cases of fear of blood.


In the past, this trope was mostly associated with [[Always Female|females]], in both fiction and real life, which is why most [[Damsel in Distress|distressed damsels]] share this condition (good thing there's [[No Periods, Period]]). In the present, this trope is usually [[Played for Laughs]] (or -- with equal effort -- for tragedy) by giving it to someone in a medical profession or other position where they're likely to see a lot of blood. For examples of when someone who is likely extremely proficient at ''spilling'' blood is afraid of it, see the Blood section of [[Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?]]. If the character is justified in being afraid of blood, perhaps they fear [[The Power of Blood]].
In the past, this trope was mostly associated with [[Always Female|females]], in both fiction and real life, which is why most [[Damsel in Distress|distressed damsels]] share this condition (good thing there's [[No Periods, Period]]). In the present, this trope is usually [[Played for Laughs]] (or—with equal effort—for tragedy) by giving it to someone in a medical profession or other position where they're likely to see a lot of blood. For examples of when someone who is likely extremely proficient at ''spilling'' blood is afraid of it, see the Blood section of [[Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?]]. If the character is justified in being afraid of blood, perhaps they fear [[The Power of Blood]].


Contrast [[Hemo-Erotic]]. Compare [[Afraid of Needles]].
Contrast [[Hemo-Erotic]]. Compare [[Afraid of Needles]].
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* As a result of growing up in a tannery, in any setting other than a battlefield, Ulysses S. Grant hated the sight of blood to the point that it would drive him in to near-hysterical paralysis. Needless to say, even on the battlefield he always ordered his beef well done.
* As a result of growing up in a tannery, in any setting other than a battlefield, Ulysses S. Grant hated the sight of blood to the point that it would drive him in to near-hysterical paralysis. Needless to say, even on the battlefield he always ordered his beef well done.
* [[Those Wacky Nazis|Heinrich Himmler]] allegedly suffered from this. Ironic, considering, [[Hellhole Prison|well]] -- [[Kill'Em All|you know]]. The Nazis generally acknowledged this trope. They ordered the gas chambers to the death camps for the sake of being more humane -- to the guards, [[Didn't See That Coming|who were suffering from various types of traumas and stress disorders for shooting defenseless civilians by the thousands at that point]].
* [[Those Wacky Nazis|Heinrich Himmler]] allegedly suffered from this. Ironic, considering, [[Hellhole Prison|well]] -- [[Kill'Em All|you know]]. The Nazis generally acknowledged this trope. They ordered the gas chambers to the death camps for the sake of being more humane—to the guards, [[Didn't See That Coming|who were suffering from various types of traumas and stress disorders for shooting defenseless civilians by the thousands at that point]].
* [[Eli Roth]], believe it or not. In fact, many horror directors known for putting large amounts of gore in their movies are actually hemophobic.
* [[Eli Roth]], believe it or not. In fact, many horror directors known for putting large amounts of gore in their movies are actually hemophobic.
* Ironically enough, [[Knight Templar|Maximilien Robespierre]], despite [[The Revolution Will Not Be Civilized|instigating the Reign of Terror]], was incredibly hemophobic
* Ironically enough, [[Knight Templar|Maximilien Robespierre]], despite [[The Revolution Will Not Be Civilized|instigating the Reign of Terror]], was incredibly hemophobic
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