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Episodes of vasovagal syncope are typically recurrent and usually occur when the predisposed person is exposed to a specific trigger. Before losing consciousness, the individual frequently experiences early signs or symptoms such as lightheadedness, nausea, the feeling of being extremely hot or cold (accompanied by sweating), ringing in the ears, an uncomfortable feeling in the heart, fuzzy ...
As exposure continues, it is expected that the phobic response will become less pronounced, and symptoms less debilitating. [12] While AT targets the phobia's physiological response, aiming to raise blood pressure and directly prevent fainting, AR focuses mainly on helping an individual avoid the phobia's associated anxiety.
[22] [23] Any therapy that endorses relaxation methods may be contraindicated for the treatment of fear of needles as this approach encourages a drop in blood pressure that only enhances the vasovagal reflex. In response to this, graded exposure approaches can include a coping component relying on applied tension as a way to prevent ...
Severe cases of this fear can cause physical reactions that are uncommon in most other fears, specifically vasovagal syncope (fainting). [1] Similar reactions can also occur with trypanophobia and traumatophobia. For this reason, these phobias are categorized as blood-injection-injury phobia by the DSM-IV. [2]
Associated symptoms may be felt in the minutes leading up to a vasovagal episode and are referred to as the prodrome. These consist of light-headedness, confusion, pallor, nausea, salivation, sweating, tachycardia, blurred vision, and sudden urge to defecate among other symptoms. [9] Vasovagal syncope can be considered in two forms:
Baseline vagal tone can be used either as a potential predictor of behavior or as a signal of mental health (particularly emotion regulation, anxiety, and internalizing and externalizing disorders). [28] [29] The polyvagal theory by Porges is an influential model of how the vagal pathways respond to novelty and to stressful external stimuli.
An ectopic atrial rhythm occurring near the sinus node may also mimic Inappropriate sinus tachycardia. Syncope or pre-syncope may occur in IST patients and be the dominant symptom, with associated prodromal symptoms such as diaphoresis and visual blurring, leading to the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope and the diagnosis of IST being overlooked. [2]
Treatment may be more successful at reducing symptoms in people with low trait anxiety, high motivation, and high self-efficacy entering exposure therapy. In addition, high cortisol levels, high heart rate variation, evoking disgust, avoiding relaxation, focusing on cognitive changes, context variation, sleep, and memory-enhancing drugs can ...