I HATE needles. I can barely look at them without freaking out. The downside is that I just cannot go through with getting shots or getting blood taken out. I HAD to get a tetnis shot in high school in order to be eligible to play sports and the whole doctor's office had to come in to hold me down to get the shot.
This really wouldn't be an issue except I can't live my life in fear and never get a shot ever again. I also want to donate blood because I do have an uncommon blood type and want to save a life.
I faced my fear of spiders and now I can be around them, but I can't kill them. I've tried facing the fear of needles, but I end up running out of the office and down the street (literally) when they bring in the needles. Any tips on how to face it? I've tried everything. Anyone else have this problem?
2006-10-04 10:00:47 · 11 answers · asked by I'm awesome! 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Most fears involve become a problem when they affect your life and this is now affecting your life negatively. The way to get over fears is to be around the thing that is causing you fear little by little and so I would say that the beginning for you is to be able to look at them and not be, as you said, freaked out. After that you have to start to think that the desire to donate blood and save a life has to be stronger in your mind than the fear. So face things little by little and try to realize too that most modern shots don't hurt like they used to in days past. Plus tetanus shot is one of the shots that you can feel more so since you've had that you have to put it in your mind that you did that once and lived through it so that you can have another shot or donate blood and not have it destroy you. Good luck.
2006-10-04 10:07:07 · answer #1 · answered by jljdc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have the same exact problem. I even passed out when i took my dog in for rabies shots, I just collapsed on the floor. I still have an aversion to needles, but can now at least receive an injection without freaking out. Just start slowly, look at pictures of needles or have one in the room (a picture). Eventually you'll be able to tolerate the picture, at this point get one of those medicine dosers that look like a needle but just let you shoot medicine into your dogs mouth. Keep that with you as much as possible, watch movies with lots of drug use, Rush and Sid and Nancy are especially good for this. As you go along you'll find that needles don't bother you as much. I believe this is called aversion therapy, and it does work. Keep at it, you beat spiders and you'll beat this too.
2006-10-04 10:13:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hm. Xanax? :)
Um seriously though, have you ever gotten something pierced or tattooed? That helped me build up my esteem when thinking about intravenious things... all considering that piercings use much larger gauge needles than the tiny things they use in doc offices.
I've been getting bloodwork done semianually (at least) since I was 3, but it still doesn't make it any easier. Love tattoos.. hate shots. Just gotta keep telling yourself in your mind that it'll all be over in a second and the afterlife of the shot will well be worth the 30 seconds or so inconvenience.
Good luck!
2006-10-04 11:13:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think it would help if you just closed your eyes and remember that a needle is a very small thing... have your dr. blind fold you or something.. and have someone you love go with you who is not afraid of needles. my husband used to faint at the sight of needles... pretty macho huh?... but seriously if you close your eyes it will not be so bad... really i was terrified also and had to be held down by hospital staff when i sliced my hand wide open on some glass (down to the bone, a two inch gash) and they wanted to put some lidocaine by needle inside the gash to numb me before sewing me shut... and now i am still fearful but not so bad.... as time goes by... things will happen to you that you think you cannot possibly go through.... but human beings adapt and you have mechanisms that help you forget pain and trauma to a certain extent. or you could down a couple of shots of tequila or take some valium to mellow you out.... :+) i hope you overcome this fear.... good luck...
2006-10-04 10:11:34 · answer #4 · answered by snakeskin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem, until I became pregnant. I had to have blood drawn several times. I actually fainted the first time, but the nurse told me I was going to have to toughen up or I would have a tough road ahead. She was right. After giving birth, having blood drawn is nothing. Now it doesn't even bother me. I'm not saying go get pregnant. Only realize the pain is actually minimal compared to other possible procedures.
2006-10-04 10:07:03 · answer #5 · answered by christmas 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there.I had the same fear.I mean...bad.I would pass out just looking at a needle.Guess what?I just talked myself out of it.I was 19 and went to get my blood test to get married.Back in 1985 you had to get a blood test to get married.Well..I didnt want to appear to be a wimp to my husband to be.For the first time in my whole life..I didnt pass out at the needle!I looked the other way!I even have 3 kids and have never passed out since I was a kid.Tell yourself..your a strong person..you can do it..and you will.Make up your mind.Your mind has made you scared and your mind will get you out of the problem.I know youll be ok..I was the biggest wimp..I did it..you can to.Just dont look at the needle..!!!Hum a little tune.Good luck to ya
2006-10-04 11:23:28 · answer #6 · answered by rosesrbl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey i know what your going through i hated needles for along time until one day i wanted to get my ears pierced. because you see up until now i was afraid of needles well i was until i was 12. just think if your getting a shot and you nervous just remember that it is to fight diseases and sickness's. they don't hurt very long. needles aren't meant to harm but to help people. so remember the next time you go to the doctor or get a part of your body priced that it only hurts for a little while then it stops hurting. and remember if your get anything pierced just clean it every day for at least 2 years but don't forget it might if your lucky or unlucky it could be for the rest of your life ( the cleaning)
2006-10-04 10:15:12 · answer #7 · answered by monkeylvr5454 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your fear is really that bad, you have a phobia, maybe you should try and find a phobia expert or something. Or try and accustom yourself to needles by starting bit by bit, first just looking at them until you don't freak out anymore, then hold them or something, until you feel comfortable with somebody sticking one in you. Also, a phobia is always irrational. Try and think about it in a really rational, logical way (needles don't harm you, they can help you, and it only hurts a tiny bit etc.)
2006-10-04 10:06:05 · answer #8 · answered by lindavankerkhof 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go to the Doctor and do not think about your fear, do not watch them get ready to stick the needle in your arm , don't watch at all. Seeing makes it worse.And, tell yourself soon you will be out of the office.
2006-10-04 10:13:45 · answer #9 · answered by Tinkerbelle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have them give you a seditive, or put you on the gas.
I have to be put out just to go to the dentist because I hate the shots.
I used to be as bad as you, but I have slowly gotten used to it. I don't mind IV's and flu shots, just the ones in my mouth!!!
2006-10-04 10:09:34 · answer #10 · answered by someoneoutthere 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋