My Nervous Problem

[colleen10]

Hi everyone,

I am writing to see if anyone had a problem with nerves similar to mine and what you have done about it.

My problem is that when I see something that most would consider "gross" I get nervous, smile and kind of laugh.

For example, if I am watching television and I see them performing an operation and they are doing something to the patient that makes me "squidgy" or "cringe" I smile and start to laugh. Like, if they are showing a liposuction and they are sticking and moving the suction all around or just take out a scalpal and start cutting away like there's no tomorrow it makes me smile and/or say things out loud like "Whoa" "Oh my gosh", etc. etc. Same thing when I watch a Rhinoplasty. Especially when they just start chizzeling away.

This is also true in real life. Like last week there was a cat hit on the side of the road and I pulled over to help because there were a few other people trying to help it. Well, the poor little bugger had a contusion to his eyeball and it was swelling and greatly protruding out of the socket. Not pretty at all. I kept from saying anything out loud but I know that I had a smile from ear to ear.

On the plus side, I always remain extremely calm in emergency situations however, I look like The Joker while doing it.

I'm scared to death that when I start clinicals this fall and have to go to the OR, observe various procedures or see some really outrageous things that I'm going to make an idiot of myself. I don't know if it is a reaction to nerves, adrenalin or what but I don't want doctors, clinical instructors and especially patients to think that I'm making a joke of things.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Don't have any advice to offer, but just wanted to let you know that you're not alone! I have a horrible nervous reflex - I giggle whenever someone gets hurt in front of me. Like if someone bangs their head on something, I can't help it but crack up, no matter how hard I try not to. It's not like what happened is funny, like when someone hurts themselves in a slapstick comedy. It's just normal things, but for some reason I laugh. I hate this trait, but it's been with me since I was a child. :imbar

I'd love to try hypnosis for this and other problems...but ever since I saw that Kevin Bacon movie "Stir of Echoes" I've been terrified to go under!

[michellebsn]

Hi everyone,

I am writing to see if anyone had a problem with nerves similar to mine and what you have done about it.

My problem is that when I see something that most would consider "gross" I get nervous, smile and kind of laugh.

For example, if I am watching television and I see them performing an operation and they are doing something to the patient that makes me "squidgy" or "cringe" I smile and start to laugh. Like, if they are showing a liposuction and they are sticking and moving the suction all around or just take out a scalpal and start cutting away like there's no tomorrow it makes me smile and/or say things out loud like "Whoa" "Oh my gosh", etc. etc. Same thing when I watch a Rhinoplasty. Especially when they just start chizzeling away.

This is also true in real life. Like last week there was a cat hit on the side of the road and I pulled over to help because there were a few other people trying to help it. Well, the poor little bugger had a contusion to his eyeball and it was swelling and greatly protruding out of the socket. Not pretty at all. I kept from saying anything out loud but I know that I had a smile from ear to ear.

On the plus side, I always remain extremely calm in emergency situations however, I look like The Joker while doing it.

I'm scared to death that when I start clinicals this fall and have to go to the OR, observe various procedures or see some really outrageous things that I'm going to make an idiot of myself. I don't know if it is a reaction to nerves, adrenalin or what but I don't want doctors, clinical instructors and especially patients to think that I'm making a joke of things.

I had a horrible problem with anxiety before a test especially math for meds with that 90% needed on every test.I used to freak out the night before and throw up the morning of the test. dry-heaves etc.It was awful.A professor recommened a hypnotherapist and ....it worked. Anyway iots worth a try.Good luck.i am presently freaking about level 2 clinicals(BSN program) and med/surg in general.....but,we will make it!!!! :imbar

[amy3072]

colleen,

I have the same problem. When I get nervous I laugh. Not a giggle or a smile but full blown laughter. The more nervous I become the more I cant control it. i will be starting clinicals in Sept. So I have plenty of time to work on it . Good luck with it,It I find anything that helps i ll let you know .

Amy