Have you overcome a fear of blood/needles? If so, how???

Question

I am SO afraid of blood and needles. I've never had my blood drawn from my arm in my life and I am 28 years old! Silly, I know.

Well, the time has come that I need a small procedure to be done. It will involve an IV and I am PETRIFIED. I don't mean little fear- I mean fainting, hysterics, the works. I'm otherwise a very rational person. Very few people know I have this horrible phobia. It's quite embarassing.

Have any of you overcome this specific phobia? How? Please don't write and just tell me to just get over it. Really, I would if I could! I am in counseling to get over it. What techniques or treatments worked for you? Please help!!

Thanks so much and I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday!

Answer 1

I used to be that way. I went to a hypnotist twice and it helped a lot. I don't like needles, but the difference is amazing. I later ended up having to give shots to a friend, my husband and also myself. If I hadn't done hypnotherapy, I don't think I could have done this with them.

Answer 2

My suggestion, do you have any tattoos? If so, think those are needles, so in a way you're already over it and don't even realize it. If you don't have a tattoo, get one. Sit there and get something really really small, like the size of a finger nail. If you can take that, which doesn't really hurt, then just imagine that the one in your arm will hurt a million times less than the tattoo did. I mean, that's the only way I can say to get over something is to go out and do it on purpose instead. Afraid of water, jump in a pool, afraid of heights, then bungie jump, afraid of needles, get a tattoo. Once you get the tattoo done, let the guy explain to you how a tattoo needle really works, if listening to that doesn't make you feel brave. Then I'm not sure what would do it for you quickly. Just don't get anything on your feet or ankles because for some reason that area hurts, maybe it's becaues its close to a bone. I'm not sure. Hope it helps.

Answer 3

this will be extremely difficult for you to overcome because you've already developed such a strong fear of it. when i get the fear (and i still do) i relax because that relaxes the muscle and causes much less pain and i look away. my dad used to talk to me while i was getting it done to try and take my mind off of it. just try to pretend like nothing is happening. i have a very bad fear of heights also so i force myself to go on high rollercoasters and walk on high balconys. this way i can try to overcome it and it has helped SO MUCH. i usually have to have someone with me because i almost fainted twice (i was on the 25th floor of a hotel and i was looking out the window). it's very hard for me to calm during that time, but i just remind myself that if other people can handle it than so can i. hope this helped.

Answer 4

If you have an I-Pod, bring it with you. Then turn it up loudly, and listen to your favorite song. Then you're really relaxed, and when you're relaxed, they take the shot/iv and you fell practically no pain. Well, I've never had an IV, so I'm not totally sure if it works for IVs too. But that's what I do for shots.

Answer 5

I hate it to

just the fact something is going into you i think


i dont know how to get over it

Answer 6

i never really was. when i was little i had to have all kinds of shots, pricks, blood tests and crap because i was sick all the time. i just kinda got over it