Aichmophobia!(Fear of Needles) HELP!?

I am TERRIFIED of needles! Everytime I go and get a shot, I'm either numb with fear or bawling my eyes out. I've also passed out numerous times at the doctors. I'm guessing my fear started when I was four. I don't remember what shot I had to get, but I remember I was going to get it from a still-in-training nurse. I remember she put it in my arm the first time (I wasn't scared then.), then pulled it out and looked at it, then she shook it and put it back in- in a different spot on my arm. She took it out again and went and got another needle. I remember looking at my arm watching the blood gushing out for a few minutes before becoming filled with fear and getting up and just running out the door. They caught me and gave me the shot, me screaming bloody murder while they were holding me down. I am sick of beeing scared of needles, and want to get over that fear. I've tried talking to the doctors/nurses, ignoring the needle and thinking of something else, but it didn't work. Please HELP!

It's definatly not fun having needles poked in to you and that is understandable. In the last 2 years I have had about 20 medical procedures and most of them requiring at least one if not more needles to be poked into me. I find that best thing to do it tell the nurse/doctor that you are not too comfortable with needles and they will understand this. Take slow calming breathes on the way to the clinc, while you are wiaitng and when you are in there. Do not look at the needle, I am usually alright as long as I don't look but if I see it am strait out the door. Take a loved one with you and hold their hand and make sure they keep you distracted. Finally RELAX. I know it's probably the most difficult thing to do when you are in a situation you don't like but it does help.

Good Luck, Be Brave

I guess if this is really posing as problem for you, you could seek professional help, to help you deal with the fear.

I myself am afraid of needles (and also cry), so i never go to an appointment alone. I find that just having someone there to hold my hand and to comfort me helps.

I don't know how to stop the fear, I just know how to cope. I find that breathing techniques and making sure I'm well hydrated helps.

check this site out for more info: http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/short...

I have the same problem. I have fainted when they gave me a shot and when they give my dog a shot. It is not the pain that freaks me out it is just the sight of the needle going in to the skin. The only thing that I have found that helps is to not look at the needle going in.

NEEDLE PHOBIA. Aichmophobia!(Fear of Needles) It sometimes develops into a phobia, for which reason, see section 27, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and examine the http://www.1-800-therapist.org/ website, and use the locators in section 1, and phone book to find a suitable therapist. The negative thought reprogramming technique, on page 2, may be all that is required, otherwise, Exposure Therapy may be an effective treatment. Also see anxiety treatments, in section 6. Some people ask to lie down for it.

Others, ask where it will be administered, and to be told just before, so that the person about to have the needle can give that place a smack, after which that tiny pinprick has considerably less effect: (the nerves which transmit pain have already started work, from over a considerable area, and the pain messages of the small additional amount of pain, from a very tiny area, tend to get flooded by the others) it may help to look away, and think of something pleasant, and promise yourself a nice reward, once it is over. As a person who doesn't like them, either; I consider that it is mostly the anticipation of pain, which is the problem, and once you take that away, by inflicting a little bit on yourself, the "shock value" is gone, something like how you can't tickle yourself.

I've got the same problem. One try that's it. I always tell the person who is giving the shot not to tell me that way I don't look. I start taking deep breaths before they start. I do tend to not cry but scream when I get cortizone shots. I don't ever see them coming either. My ortho dr. says it's a fear that many many people have. The lite headed feel like vomiting dizzle as ever gonna pass out. It happens to the best of us. Oh YEAH the BEST way is to have the nurse hold your hand and squeeze like what you are feeling. I've had nurses cry before but dang it does the trick oh don't look either!!! Promise it does the trick for me!!!