[Zelphyr]

No, I am not a medical provider. I am only speaking from years of experience practicing what I learned after seeing an ACT-trained therapist. So don’t take my word for it without verifying for yourself with a similarity trained therapist.

That said; while I don’t have a problem with needles I have had issues with getting my blood drawn before my annual physical. I would come quite close to losing consciousness each time. I asked my therapist about this because I too thought it was related to panic and anxiety and he explained that it is actually a different physiological response. Seeing people’s blood—especially our own—was usually a bad thing before modern medicine. What I did to resolve it was to watch videos of blood draws every day for about 1-2 weeks prior to getting my own blood drawn. That worked surprisingly well. I no longer have to ask them let me lie down during the procedure. Even still, I don’t watch them do it to me and that’s fine. I don’t need to.

As to beheadings... I don’t really see how watching such content could reasonably be in accordance with ones values. In fact, losing consciousness seems like a perfectly valid response to such a thing and doesn’t really seem to me to be related to panic or anxiety. I think it is quantifiable proof that you are not a psychopath.

Look, you’re right; people like you and me, if we’re in control, we are fine. The older I get the more I realize just how much and how often I’m not in control. What ACT taught me was to be comfortable with that fact. To embrace it and even enjoy it.

I hope you can find peace, regardless of the modality. I only encourage you to not give up just yet on either mindfulness or evidence-based therapy.