needle phobia

[Chelsea567]

My DD 18 is freaking out now she can book her jab because she's really needle phobic. Has anyone got any experience of the support available at the vaccine centres? She knows she has to have it, wants to have it, but petrified. Has a history of anxiety, school refusal, CAMS etc. Much better now she's older, pretty much able to cope with everything now except needles.. telling her it's over in a second, doesn't hurt etc. doesn't help her. Any advice or experience of this?

I used to have a problem with needles and it is definitely a psychological thing as opposed to being about pain. I always found that nurses are generally really nice about it when you tell them up front. It’s quite a common thing.

I find watching other people have the jab on tv is helpful as it kind of desensitises you. Watching the news over the last year I have seen countless people have their jab - I can watch it easily now whereas at the start, my instinct was to look away.

My brother has a severe needle phobia. So bad he couldn’t bring himself to go near the centre to have it done. My mum popped in prior to his appointment and spoke to the manager / they arranged it all so he could skip the queue be taken straight to a separate bit etc, have someone with him

It was still really hard but made it a lot easier for him and he’s not as panicky about the second one now

Buy emla cream from a pharmacy or internet. Its a local anaesthetic used to cannulate children, painful procedures etc. My mum is needle phobic and uses emla for all blood tests and vaccines.

Emla comes in tiny tubes with a plastic dressing that goes over the top, or as a patch- which is easier to use. Apply a pea sized blob of the cream and cover with the dressing. Leave for 1hr. Lasts 4hrs. If unsure where to apply it, either ask the staff and wait outside for it to work, or check IM deltoid vaccine positions on the internet.

She should tell the staff about her concerns too. Longer term, has she considered CBT to help put it in perspective?

DH is HORRIBLY needle phobic. We spoke to the gp who prescribed him some valium. Vaccine centre also laid him on the floor in a separate room. It went very smoothly! No fainting, no panic attacks...

Hypnotherapy!

My DS 18 was the same, he does pass out even as they approach him with needle, it is definitely not the thought of pain. I was worried when he went for his Vaccine I waited outside and he did tell the nurse he felt faint when he got to her cubicle, she straight away took him to a bed and let him lie down to have it and also do his 15 min wait afterwards still led down. Explain to them and they will definitely help your DD.

@52soon I’m so impressed with your son for going in alone! Well done that lad

Yes, hypnotherapy. I have had this in the past for severe needle phobia. I can now get myself to an appointment, though I am likely to faint after the injection if not lying down. The staff at the mass vaccination centre were very helpful and took me off to a separate area where I was able to lie down while they administered the jab.

I had mine today and was absolutely terrified. Ended up hyperventilating in the car park, sobbing my eyes out about the whole situation. Finally plucked up the courage to join the drive through queue, explained my situation to the gentleman vaccinating me, who went into full detail about it all and asked another lady vaccinator over who held my hand and distracted me whilst it happened. Never been more petrified in my life. It didn’t hurt at all though, in fact I barely even realised he had injected me!

I was answering questions about allergies and didn't even realised it was finished.

My needle phobic relative was looked after really well when she went for her jab. She was however advised to see GP for medication to take before her 2nd jab. If really struggling, speak to GP

They are used to it. Will be fab with her. Short needle, lots of support, people on hand to help.

My dh has been vaccinating in mass centres, buses and all over and pretty much every shift had someone in ribbons over it. They'll help.

This blog post might be useful:

cubicgarden.com/2021/05/13/my-trypanophobia-and-my-first-covid19-vaccine/

Get her an appointment with a hypnotherapist. I'm a hypnotherapist. With all the covid jabs I have worked with lots of people to enable them to have a vaccine calmly with no problems. It only takes 2 sessions of one hour each with a qualified hypnotherapist.