Why am I already anxious?

Question

I have a phobia of hypodermic needles and injections. I'm due a jab in nearly two year's time, yet I am already anxious and worried about it. I get bad nightmares, my skin often pricks as if I've just been jabbed there, and so on. I can't stop thinking about it.

My friends at school tease me, and find it funny when they talk about jabs and I go pale, start shaking, when my knees go all weak and I can't stand properly, and when I start retching. They even caused me to faint.

All this is because of an early traumatic event. I was held down when I tried to escape... and it hurt so much, I screamed my silly head off. Now even the sight of a needle scares me.

I'd like to know why I'm so anxious, nearly two years before the jab has to be done. For those interested, it's a jab against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Haemophilus influenzae (Hib). All those diseases are potentially lethal, but I don't know which I'd rather do - die or get a jab done.

.. Help, anyone?

It IS a big deal to me - it's bothering me a lot, as I said, and it is not something I can just forget about. You think I haven't tried to forget about it?

Answer 1

I had the same problem. I ended up getting cancer and then I had to have shots every day. It was miserable. And then I was going on a trip and they told me I would have to give myself these shots. I had a fit. A friend of mine gave me the card of a hypnotist. I saw her twice. I had a childhood experience with a shot that was so traumatic that I always went back to that for every shot I had to have. It was bad. Well, the hypnotist had an interesting way of looking at it. The child in me was in control and was fighting this. The adult soothed the child and it helped quite a bit. I am not so suggestive, so I wasn't "out" with the hypnotherapy, but the thinking about it made a big difference. I was able to give myself these shots (I didn't like it, but I could do it).

Later I had a friend who needed shots and I traded off with other friends to give them to her. Then my husband needed a monthly shot and I was able to do that.

If I hadn't worked through my issues, I could never have helped them with their needs. Give it a try. I never thought I would be able to help anyone else with this. I thought if I became a diabetic and had to give myself shots, I would probably die because I couldn't do it. I hope I don't get diabetes, but I could give myself these shots now.

Answer 2

Most phobias begin that way... but you need to forget about that and realize that it is for your own good i had the same issue, also most phobia patients are shown their phobia to help them get over it, and when you have it done and the doctor brings it out dont think about the pain or the needle just when you feel the pain tell yourself this will all be over in a few seconds i even have this fear and this is the same thing i do and im fine

Answer 3

sounds like you have an anxiety compulsion talk to your doctor there is things out there that does help this very well. yhers no joy in life worring all the time. my son has anxities about the dentist. when he was 2 we were moving an he fell as we were going up the concreate stairs to our new apartment and hit his little mouth. when he did it busted 2 of his teeth. he had to have them surgically removed and since has a hard time about the dentist. he had ADHD and is bi-polar and takes medicine for these that really help. but still before each dentist appointment he has to take a a valuim. which i pick up the day before each appointment at the pharmacy. (don't get me wrong in no way did this do anything to cause him to have the ADHD or to be bi-polar). you do need to go and see about getting something that will work for you though so you don't have to go through that though. good luck and best wishes.

Answer 4

Just put it out of your mind until the time comes...it is no big deal...worse things will happen in your life...like the illness you could get if you don't get immunized......