My girlfriend has a bona fide needle phobia arising from a traumatic experience. She also has thyroid problems. These two do not mix. Her fear is solely of having a needle in a vein; she is not afraid of needles generally or of blood.

We just got back from a doctor's office where we were told, essentially, that if she didn't have blood drawn she could eventually face life-threatening problems. When I tried to make it clear that under no circumstances would she allow blood to be drawn and that there had to be some creative way to attempt to solve the problem -- anesthesia, alternative sources for extracting blood, alternative testing methods, etc. -- I was met with authoritative indifference.

Upon discussing the issue more, the first thing my girlfriend needs to progress toward having blood drawn is a doctor who is sympathetic to those who will simply refuse medical treatment rather than having blood drawn, instead of a doctor who simply states that "it doesn't hurt that much" and that the "consequences of not having it drawn are much worse." After what I saw today, I understand her frustration.

Has anyone here found a doctor who is willing to treat their patient as a human with legitimate fears rather than a child who is not making the correct decision? If you have, do they happen to be within driving distance of Atlanta? Any tips for finding one?

Thanks for the help.