Whether it's vaccines, special medications, daily insulin, IVF treatments, or blood draws, needles can cause pain and anxiety.
What is needle phobia?
Studies show that needle phobia affects most children and one in four adults. Some parents feel they have given up on taking their children to the doctor despite their concerns, while others choose to avoid it. Needle phobia is common, but there are ways to overcome it.
Symptoms of needle phobia:
Fear and anxiety trigger physiological reactions, so while your brain may know that a needle prick is quick and necessary, your body can trigger physical sensations such as:
Increased heart rate.
nausea.
difficulty breathing.
crying.
Panic feelings.
Low blood pressure, which can cause fainting.
Scary thoughts.
I find it difficult to sleep the night before an appointment.
Tips for dealing with needle phobia:
It will take some time to overcome your phobia of needles, but try these tips to manage your fear.
Focus on the causes:
Understanding the purpose of the poke will help you understand its mission and motivate you to focus on the benefits you are getting.
communication :
Letting your health care provider know that you are afraid of needles can suggest ways to numb the needle or distract you from the needle and show you how to complete the procedure. For example, do you like the injection countdown? If so, should it be counted ascending or descending - 1, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1?
anesthetic cream:
Talk to your doctor about using an anesthetic cream before the puncture. You can also find over-the-counter lidocaine creams and sprays.
distraction:
Distract yourself from the action with music, video, or conversation.
Create a sense of calm:
Activates the parasympathetic nervous system which produces calm. Try different breathing techniques beforehand so you can practice them before you need them.
Learn Applied Tension:
Briefly activating the muscles of the trunk and legs can regulate blood pressure and prevent a vasovagal reaction that can cause fainting. Do this before and after puncture as it may be associated with perforation.