Fear of Needles

[whysewserious]

I actually do not recall the technical term for this, but I experience it regardless of the context of the needle involved. I have had cartilage piercings in my upper ear lobes and my nose pierced; any level of injection, no matter how painless, causes shortness of breath, dizziness, and 98% of the time, fainting. The scent of sterile instruments or the sound of medical gear being unwrapped can start the process off (even if I am about to have a procedure in which no needles are involved).


The only time I have been able to overcome this was when I got a tattoo. For some reason I don't get to the passing out point.


Has anyone actually over come this or I get to be the lady in her thirties passing out from a flu shot (if I get one at all!)?

 

[listener1987]

Haha, you are definitely not the only one! I'm in my 20s and if I'm not laying down, I'll pass out for a blood draw or a shot.


For me, laying down is a must. I also like to feel warm, even by bringing a blanket. It helps me feel tucked in and safe. I also cover my head with my jacket so I'm not tempted to look.


And then, of course you probably know that you should drink some apple juice or something afterward, especially if you had to fast for the procedure! Low blood sugar + low blood pressure = not good!


Have you found any coping mechanisms that help? Do you lay down when you have a medical procedure?

 

[Laneorexorcist]

I don't have this fear at all, I'm completely okay around needles, and I hadn't met anyone who have this phobia to needles, but when I entered to college I met one of my best friends, and she is completely terrified of needles. Sometimes, because of the system of our college we need to get injections and she just can't stand them. She has passed out one time because of those injections and she was really close to passing out a few months ago, but she controlled herself. And I don't know if she has some coping mechanisms, but I'll ask her!

 

[whysewserious]

Haha, you are definitely not the only one! I'm in my 20s and if I'm not laying down, I'll pass out for a blood draw or a shot.
For me, laying down is a must. I also like to feel warm, even by bringing a blanket. It helps me feel tucked in and safe. I also cover my head with my jacket so I'm not tempted to look.


And then, of course you probably know that you should drink some apple juice or something afterward, especially if you had to fast for the procedure! Low blood sugar + low blood pressure = not good!


Have you found any coping mechanisms that help? Do you lay down when you have a medical procedure?

I have never tried a blanket, but that's a good idea...I will try anything! One of the few times I did not pass out, I had a magazine with me and just tried very hard to focus on that. I got clammy and thought it was about to happen, but it didn't.

 

[whysewserious]

I don't have this fear at all, I'm completely okay around needles, and I hadn't met anyone who have this phobia to needles, but when I entered to college I met one of my best friends, and she is completely terrified of needles. Sometimes, because of the system of our college we need to get injections and she just can't stand them. She has passed out one time because of those injections and she was really close to passing out a few months ago, but she controlled herself. And I don't know if she has some coping mechanisms, but I'll ask her!

Thank you! I have tried sitting, laying down, one nurse made me stand (I fell on her); talking, laughing, silence, and with the exception of tattoos, they all get me. I haven't quite pegged why a tattoo doesn't have the same psychological effect.

 

[It'sJaz]

I haven't had to experience needles for a few years now, but I'm not too keen on them. I will avoid injections whenever possible. As for other types of needles, I don't plan on getting piercings or tattoos so it's unlikely I will have to deal with needles for those. I don't pass out from them but they certainly put me on edge. I would just try to think of something else if I have to get an injection.

 

[Hoop3]

No, you're not the only one. I developed a phobia as a child after a student was allowed to practice on me and blew my vein. It took many years, and I never will like needles, but I can deal with the occasional blood draw. I still do not look at it. For me, I found a lab (for the blood draws) where they had a phlebotomist with more than 10 years of experience. And I would tell them I had a phobia and ask to lie down. They always accommodated me. They don't want anyone passing out on them.


Having someone who is good really helps. Don't look at it, and maybe try a Xanax before you go. I've become significantly desensitized. It is not overnight, but you can too.

 

[hades_leae]

Wow, some reactions. I used to be terrified of needles when I was much younger. I remember wanting to hit the doctor for stabbing me in the arm, then eventually started looking away from it. Every time I asked if he was done, he told me he had already stuck me like one minute ago.


Now when I need to get stuck with one, I just stare at it, and make sure that I'm ready to be stuck mentally because it helps with any pain if there is some. It's better to know when it's coming than to receive the shock.

 

[listener1987]

I have never tried a blanket, but that's a good idea...I will try anything! One of the few times I did not pass out, I had a magazine with me and just tried very hard to focus on that. I got clammy and thought it was about to happen, but it didn't.

Oh yes! I played Solitaire on my phone once while I got a shot (laying down.) I know it was going to be a particularly painful one and I kind of whimpered a few times, but was able to get my focus back to the game! Good lock. Next time I hope these tips from people help you! And of course, let us know how it went

 

[kgord]

I am not a fan of needles but I can tolerate them. They are much thinner than they used to be. I had open heart surgery when I was a child, and got poked and prodded excessively in my opinion, but I was just in a medical study that involved numerous blood draws and it really didn't bother me. I think the best thing to do is to distract yourelf in anyway possible. That will make the process much easier to deal with. It is a method that seems to work for most people.

 

[whysewserious]

I certainly hope I don't have a need to try any techniques out in the near future, but I know the dreaded day will come! I do ultimately know passing out is no fun but it does not cause any long term harm. I just find it more of a blow to my pride. But I am comforted to know that one, I am not alone, and two, others with the same fear have overcome it, so that gives me hope that maybe I will, too.


Thank you all for your suggestions!

 

[janemariesayed]

All my life I have had a fear of needles. Not so much needles but injections and the fact of an accidental air bubble. Ever since I can remember since I was a tot I've been scared of dying from an air bubble in an injection.

A couple of years ago I did a past life regression and found that I had apparently been murdered by an injection with an air bubble in it. All the people thought I had committed suicide but I hadn't. I had actually been killed by an air bubble.

I don't know if it is true but it certainly gives me an idea why I have been scared of injections all my life.

 

[Concernedgal]

Me too. Except my fear comes in the form of the medical professional using a dirty needle. Not on purpose but, maybe a drug addict nurse addicted to pain killers using the medication in the pre loaded needle and then refilling them with saline and the nurse having hepatitis or hiv or something g and then I go in for a toothache and boom.... they use a dirty needle on me and I end up contracting whatever he or she had. Yuck.. that would be a freaking (unfair) nightmare. But, now i'm going to think about the air bubble... thanks a lot @janemariesayed .. lol. Jk. I am very interested in in past life regression. How dI I do that?

 

[janemariesayed]

Me too. Except my fear comes in the form of the medical professional using a dirty needle. Not on purpose but, maybe a drug addict nurse addicted to pain killers using the medication in the pre loaded needle and then refilling them with saline and the nurse having hepatitis or hiv or something g and then I go in for a toothache and boom.... they use a dirty needle on me and I end up contracting whatever he or she had. Yuck.. that would be a freaking (unfair) nightmare. But, now i'm going to think about the air bubble... thanks a lot @janemariesayed .. lol. Jk. I am very interested in in past life regression. How dI I do that?

Google for a past life regression practitioner local to you and you should find one in or near to your area. They will hypnotise you. You can take along a tape and record the session as well. It can help to answer a lot of questions about yourself.

For safety reasons it should be noted that these practitioners can take a course to learn how to do this properly and safely. Make sure the practitioner you visit has taken some kind of course. It isn't a profession looked at by the authorities very much so they are not checked. You can do this yourself by asking what certificates they have in hypnotism.