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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Teenager with needle phobia.

34 replies

Rosebud2005 · 23/12/2021 01:29

Hi I’ve been struggling to encourage (16) to get the vaccines. He is anxious about needles. Has anyone else been though this and how did you get there? Thanks x

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 23/12/2021 07:51

Me too! Mine is 13 and the other is 17 both are scared of needles. My latest tactic is to tell them that if they get it and get really ill then they'll have a LOT more than one needle

GoodnightGrandma · 23/12/2021 07:52

Has he had his high school vaccinations ?
If so, how did he manage that ?

Starryskiesinthesky · 23/12/2021 07:54

Depends how bad it is but you can see GP for a referral for therapy if needed.

GoodnightGrandma · 23/12/2021 07:56

CAMHS are unlikely to take a needle phobia with the back log that they’ve already got.

Takingabreakagain · 23/12/2021 08:11

Why does he need the vaccines? Is his health vulnerable in some way? ?
If not then, 16 year olds are unlikely to suffer badly from this virus especially now the variants are milder. He is very likely to have already been exposed to it from friends or at school and could have had it (the virus) without you even realising. Is it really worth forcing him to get the vaccines if he has a phobia

Bonkerz · 23/12/2021 08:17

I asked my teen if they would rather be in hospital where they would have many more needles for bloods and meds? Also asked if they made others poorly how they would feel...... it's one small needle that really you don't notice but the consequences of not having it are much worse

Rainydonkey · 23/12/2021 08:25

My teenager has a needle phobia. We have found that he still needs a parent to go with him. He didn't manage to have his HPV jab at school, but has since managed that and the Covid jab when DH went with him. He does want the jabs though, just finds the process of having them terrifying. We've found the people giving the jabs really patient with him. It surprised me how long they were willing to spend on one person.

IDontThinkSoJohn · 23/12/2021 08:26

My SIL refused a injection straight after she had given birth to help the placenta come away due to a needle phobia. It didn't come away and she had to have a full hysterectomy at 23. She missed her first week with her baby, which will now of course be the only child she ever has.

I understand of course people have phobias. But 'anxious about needles' is something I would be saying 'get your coat on' to.

Nobody likes injections.

PangolinPie · 23/12/2021 08:29

I have a dd with a severe needle phobia - no amount of logic or explaining or emotional blackmail (which is basically what some of these suggestions are) will work. She really can't control her reactions and has run out of vaccination (pre-covid) appointments twice, fainted, cries if it's even spoken about. She was referred to some kind of psychology about 1.5 years ago - nothing from them as yet.

Nailsbythesea · 23/12/2021 08:36

I go with mine - just walk in warn them that he is nervous - make sure you are wearing a t shirt -if you can make them aware well before. Mine had me there and a teddy (in her pocket) and we always go for a costa cake and hot chocolate after - always. Reassure that it’s a sharp pain not excessive and better than ventilated or being really really ill. If you have a walk in near you just go and do it and warn them then leave it to the professionals - the nurses with my daughter were really good they distracted her and made her laugh.

IDontThinkSoJohn · 23/12/2021 08:37

This is the situation with CAHMS at the moment, funding has been cut to the bone. It's not fit for purpose.

Nailsbythesea · 23/12/2021 08:38

Ps no big build up before make the appointment or decide to walk in and explain when you get there that he is nervous or has a phobia and is going to need some extra tlc

Warmduscher · 23/12/2021 08:42

You could also make him aware that if he ever wants to go travelling with friends when he’s a few years older that will simply not be possible if he’s unable to have immunisations.

Totallydefeated · 23/12/2021 08:45

Are they particularly vulnerable to Covid?

If not, why not leave it? The risks to teenagers are incredibly minimal, they’re being offered the jab to protect society rather than themselves. The odd teen not having it because of a phobia isn’t going to make a difference to that.

Why put him through something very stressful for what is statistically likely to be of very little benefit to him? Phobias aren’t something you can generally power through and you could make the issue worse by trying, which could have a greater impact on him down the line.

The alternative is to get him some therapy. You’d probably be looking at 4-6 sessions with a hypnotherapist or he could see a CBT therapist specialising in phobias, but would likely be looking at more sessions. Depends if you can afford it/see it as a good use of funds.

Sarahlou63 · 23/12/2021 08:46

Hypnosis would be very useful.

rainydogday · 23/12/2021 08:53

My DD 14 had the vaccine. I asked if she would have the vaccine if it was in a pill- she said yes. So that kind of made my mind up that she wasn't worried about the vaccine it was more the needle! I did spring it on her and collected her from school and went to a walk in. Luckily my DM is a volunteer so looked out for us and we got taken straight it. There were lots of tantrums and tears in the car. I just remain calm and she knows I won't give in (like the HPV jab). I am a midwife and I have told her stories if grown women being scared etc etc and how it can cause many issues when she is older. She is beginning to get better at it now, but that has worked for us as I know my child. I haven't gone on about it or labelled her needle phobic as in my experience at work this is actually quite rare. Lots of people don't like it which is normal - and that's how I explain it. Good luck!

Apple1971 · 23/12/2021 08:53

I don’t have any practical advice but people telling you to just tell them to get on with it isn’t helpful. A genuine fear needs to be addressed.

I don’t have a phobia at all but my booster was quite sore so if I did have a phobia that might have freaked me out a bit. Being a teacher I also think that when we have vaccinations in school, the rush to get so many through quickly can make some young people stress more in the future

Some good advice here

kidshealth.org/en/teens/tips-shots.html

MrsWorriedMother · 23/12/2021 08:55

I am in exactly same position with my daughter. She has a massive needle phobia. I mean it is extreme.
I really want her to have the vaccine for travel purposes and also my husband is vulnerable.

I really want to try and get help for her as I'm sure in future she will need to have blood tests, dental work etc.
I have thought about hypnotherapy but wouldn't know where to find a reputable hypnotist.

Warmduscher · 23/12/2021 09:00

Also he’ll never be able to have a tattoo.

Before the anti-tattoo brigade pile in, I appreciate many people don’t have tattoos due to personal preference, but if he was one of the people who wanted one, it wouldn’t be possible.

Sarahlou63 · 23/12/2021 09:01

@MrsWorriedMother

I am in exactly same position with my daughter. She has a massive needle phobia. I mean it is extreme. I really want her to have the vaccine for travel purposes and also my husband is vulnerable.

I really want to try and get help for her as I'm sure in future she will need to have blood tests, dental work etc.
I have thought about hypnotherapy but wouldn't know where to find a reputable hypnotist.

thecontrolsystem.co.uk/find-a-practitioner

There's no trance work involved so it can be done by video.

(Disclaimer - I am soon to be qualified as a practitioner but not on that list yet!)

Totallydefeated · 23/12/2021 09:18

I think your best bet is to find a local hypnotherapist by word of mouth, if possible. It’s fine to do online via Zoom, but a personal recommendation makes it more likely they’ll be good.

SarahLou is the control system a new thing? I’ve not heard of it. Also interested as to how it can be hypnosis but there not being a trance involved.

Sarahlou63 · 23/12/2021 09:48

@Totallydefeated - the Control system was devised by Tim Box in 2015, he's been practising hypnosis since 2009.

In 'traditional' hypnosis the conversation is pretty much one way once the client is in a trance so they can't give direct and immediate feedback.

With the Control system the practitioner communicates directly with the subconscious by using IMR's (ideomotive responses) without the need to put the client in a trance. As part of my training I've stopped my 20 a day, 40 year smoking habit and have done the same for a case study client in just two online sessions Smile

IDontThinkSoJohn · 23/12/2021 09:52

well gone @Sarahlou63, that's an amazing achievement.

IDontThinkSoJohn · 23/12/2021 09:52

*well done Grin

SometimesRavenSometimesParrot · 23/12/2021 09:55

You need to drill down into what the fear actually is? If it’s of pain, numbing cream.

See if the vaccine centre will let them have music on during to distract them.

Or show them some of the videos of people in hospital on things like ECMO from Covid and if they’re scared of needles that should scare them into wanting one tiny one over the amount they’d need in hospital.