Needle Phobia

[user7469322]

Asking for a friend. Friends daughter (FD) has a needle phobia and has been attending counselling with therapy for awhile. Today was jab day and it didn’t go well. Looking for advice off anyone who’s had a similar problem and can suggest anything or even anything that can be done to get FD to have the jabs she needs (gas?!). For info she’s 15.

I ended up having mine done at a clinic and not at school. Was still horrible.

Years later I was prescribed diazepam as I fainted whilst having a blood test, I used them for the dentist a couple of times too. I knew what was happening, but didn't care at all.

I am much better now, but still need the baby needle if they are taking blood.

Its not the pain that freaks me out, I think it's the fact someone is "doing" something to me and the helplessness of it. It's a bit difficult to explain properly.

It really is a terrible phobia and I feel for her.

@Chesntoots

How did the diazepam help you? What did it do?

It just chilled me out. I knew what was happening, so that was good, but I just didn't care at all!

The benefit of knowing what was going on was that I realised there was nothing really to fear.

It made a massive difference to my life, although I still cannot stand a cannula being inserted and had to be knocked out with gas prior to my operation. I went to the dentist the other day and had a needle for an extraction so I'm quite proud of myself!!

As a side note - I tried therapy and it was pretty useless.

Yeh I think my friend thinks the therapy was a bit useless. I will pass on your comments though, they’ve been interesting.

Has she tried emla cream?

@Purpleshoes88

Yes. I bought some for my friend yesterday and it’s not the pain of the needle, it’s the thought of it.

I was that child

Does she actually need the injection/blood test? Apparently needle phobias are rarely 'simple' phobias, hence they are bloody hard to overcome. I only overcame mine when I was sufficiently motivated to do so, and even then it took years to get to the bottom of it.

The best question anyone ever asked me was 'what would happen if you no longer had your phobia' to which my answer, to my surprise was that I would have to have injections, i.e. I would no longer have an excuse to avoid them. Which is when I realised it was a control thing. My parents then remembered a medical procedure I'd had without anaesthesia as a 5 year old which it turns out I had completely cut from my memory. Once I'd recovered that memory and dealt with it, I was able to move on from the phobia.

Your friend's daughter may have no underlying reason for her phobia, but it does sound like there is more to it than a simple dislike of needles.

@SockEatingMonster

It’s for the 14+ vaccines and the cervical cancer jab.

It says in my medical notes I have needle phobia. I feel faint, and have actually fainted for blood tests and injections in the past. The only things that have made it get easier are:
Deep breathing/focused relaxation
Lying down for anything involving a needle - and do not get up until you feel better, even if staff are in a rush to do the next person
If I am distressed having DH with me as a distraction
Having to have lots of injections and blood tests for two fairly difficult pregnancies - as these were for the health of the baby rather than just me, I was motivated to have them
Also - I know why I have an issue with needles - I had a very distressing incident when I was little and it took endless attempts by a number of different staff to get a canula in my hand for a procedure. I have fairly difficult veins, so for blood tests I drink lots of water and walk around beforehand rather than sit and wait.

In the circumstances, I would get the jabs done at the Dr rather than at school so she isn't rushed, and can have her Mum or other supportive adult with her, partly to help keep her calm and partly so they don't try and rush her out the door.

I have had diazepam for blood tests.. it really works! Still a scary event but without it (at the time) there was no way I’d have made it into the surgery let alone got to needle stage!

I'm going to be blunt, she's probably not particularly motivated to have those (I think we all believe we are invincible and that it'll never happen at that age!)

Is there anything else in her immediate future she could focus on that would be slightly more motivating? I.e. visiting an area of the world that she'll need vaccines for?

Do they have any idea where the phobia came from?

@happinessiseggshaped

Friend and FD went to the surgery for r then today with the counsellor. FD tensed up despite the emla cream and refused to have it done. No one was rushing her.

@SockEatingMonster

No nothing to focus on. She’s in year 10 so being pushed to work hard for next year. Not in to going out, likes her phone etc. Friend says there’s no reason for this phobia, she can’t explain where it’s come from.

It's hard to know what to suggest

Might be worth suggesting to Mum that the 'reason' does not have to be a needle-related one. Mine did not involve needles at all, which I guess is why it took my poor parents 24 years to make the connection! Perhaps suggest her parents try to recall any event where she was restrained either physically or through shaming etc (i.e. a time when she was very scared and not in control)? Sorry, I'm really grasping at straws here, but worth it if it does spark something.

I wish the poor girl all the best, it's a horrid fear to have.

@SockEatingMonster

Friend mentioned today FD had her arm held by her dad once and that FD says that’s where it stemmed from as it didn’t quite go to plan. I’m not sure friend is convinced by that though from what she said.