I have needle phobia. Do you or someone that you know has had this problem?

Question

What can I do about it? I need to have a blood test. Yesterday I went to the lab and I would not let them do it. I really need to have this test done. Do you know about any solutions or treatment for this?

Answer 1

i have needle phobia too and i just had to get a shot and cried...its okay to be scared you just have to think about this..its ur life, ur health are you going to put it on the line cuz ur scared..and that always helps me becuz my life is more important to me than the phobia...its mind over matter

Answer 2

I have one. Here's what I do (I have to get stuck a lot for a condition):

"OK -- I don't like needles. Can you draw the blood with your smallest needle?"
"I might call you ugly names. I am not normally this cruel,so I just wanted to forewarn you. And I truly don't mean it."
"Are you having a nice day?" I say this last one as I look at the wall and pinch my forefinger against my thumb. No matter what, I do not look at the needle or its insertion in the arm. Instead, I keep up a meaningless chatter about ANYTHING, including the color of the wall. If it hurts, I say so, but immediately go back to my chatter. At the end, I thank the person greatly, since without their expertise, I might not be able to do even this, with the needle phobia. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm sure alot of people suffer from the same thing. It's nothing to be ashamed of. When you go to have your blood test done the best thing to do is to just let the arm thats getting poked totally relax. Let it just go completely limp. Then start thinking of something, anything else that occupies your mind. It'll be over before you know it. Also make sure to tell the tech whos stabbing you about your phobia.

Answer 4

Try Ametop* Gel.

It's a topical anaesthetic, and contains tetracaine. Tetracaine is a fast acting and well known topical anaesthetic.

Ametop* Gel is used to produce anaesthesia of the skin before taking a blood sample.

Though I'd still recommend facing up to the phobia - take a close friend or a sibling or parent along - get them to keep talking to you, or plug your ipod to your ears, listen to music, count your breath, these will act as distractions and make you relax...this way you'll be in control, not your phobia.

Answer 5

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I hate needles....they hurt too much. What I do is look away with my eyes close and pretend I'm somewhere else. Whenever I have to get my blood drawn I request them to use the small butterfly needle. It does take a little longer to get the blood, but it doesn't hurt as much as a larger needle when they stick you with it. A sticking from the butterfly needle feels more like a pinch or a mosquito bite.

Answer 6

My brother tends to pass out when he is stuck with a needle.

The best thing you can do is to just turn your head and close your eyes. Then you will not see it comming. Try thinking of calming things to distract you. Or try to think logically about the situation. Why are you afraid of the needle? What harm will a little pin prick do you? What harm will not having this blood test do you? etc.

Answer 7

I am only scared of them when I think of them going underneath my fingernails. Don't sweat the test. This is what I do. Get in good with the person doing it, they should understand. If they don't demand another nurse. When they go to insert the needle, don't look, just start breathing deep. It will be over before you know it.

Answer 8

i had it and my mate has it,
once i faced my phobia, that was when i got my lip pierced, you just gotta face your phobia and you will eventually over come it.
hope it helps.
ash

Answer 9

Yes, there is hypnotism, which may help.