Can you feel these episodes coming on? I usually can. Sometimes my vision seems "sharper" than normal and I feel odd. Then, I will find myself becoming very warm. My vision will start to black out. I will feel dizzy.

When this happens, I have found that if you get down on the ground or in a chair, it helps a lot. I often still go through much of the physical effects by this point - I go from being so hot I break out into a sweat, to my temperature plummeting and becoming very cold - and often momentarily lose my vision, but remain consciousness. Apparently part of the problem is blood pooling in the legs and not getting to the brain. So if you can get down, and elevate your legs, it will help.

My biggest problem with these episodes is always that they bring me to the ground or incapacitate me, so sitting became a natural reaction. I also try to consume food if I feel it happening as it does seem linked with blood sugar for me personally (but not always - a video of in vitro fertilization knocked me on my ass once, for instance).

I don't think it's a phobia because I don't think it's all in your head, especially if you don't really feel fear. Syringes and eyes have always made me feel icky so it didn't surprise me that I seem sensitive to/around both, physically. But I've also nearly passed out while exercising or after not having enough to eat, which is why for me I suspect it is linked to blood sugar. My doctor said about as much when I brought it up to her.