Teenager with needle phobia.

[Rosebud2005]

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

At 16 he still has the chance to move past this fear. Has he had a bad experience?
Id bribe him.

[quote Sarahlou63]@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 [/quote]
Big congratulations for stopping smoking, that’s an immense achievement!

Thanks for the info on the Control system. Other hypnotherapists do very often interact with clients in trance, asking questions and using IMR, this is not a new thing. And IMR is sometimes used by therapists outside of trance. Though I do agree there are some hypnotherapists that just use suggestion therapy, read standard scripts etc. There’s quite a wide variation in the quality of the training, which is why I suggested OP get a personal recommendation if possible.

@SometimesRavenSometimesParrot

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.

The OP has said it’s her son who’s got the needle phobia. Just wondering why you’re using the pronouns they/them for a male?

It initially made your post hard to understand until I realised you weren’t talking about several people.

Put EMLA cream on him. Let him experience the numb feeling without the pressure of going for the vaccine.

Few days later apply EMLA again and take him for the vaccine when he knows he won’t feel it.

I had hypnotherapy for needle phobia as a teen. It worked to the point that I was able to get in the room and get the jabs I needed, though not to the point I could cope with them easily (e.g. fainting, avoiding the dentist for years). I had to have IVF in my late 20s, and now I would say I have a 'normal' reaction to injections, though I still go shaky at the dentist. I'd say it's definitely worth a try - even if ultimately he chooses not to have the Covid vaccine, needle phobia definitely restricts your choices in some ways.

Thanks for all your advice. He has never had injections that he can remember so nothing for him to compare to other than he recent had to undergo dental treatments. He again was worked up about it but I spoke to the dentist who was fab with him and kept him calm. He managed brilliantly so I can’t understand why he won’t budge on this. The dentist is usually the one nobody wants!! He currently sees a counsellor about his anxiety and she has also been working on this. I don’t know how else to convince him that it will be safe because he says he’s a scared when I asked what his reasons are for not getting it.

You need patience and to continue to talk with him logically about the safety of the vaccine. They are subject to so much constant misinformation on social media, that takes time.

As for the needles, I would stress that it only lasts 1 second, and that for that second he doesn't even have to look. Also, I would ask the vaccination centre if you can be with him to hold his hand?

My dd17 has this issue, any needle is met with a similar response, she actually really wanted the vaccine but refused at the door on the first attempt. I acknowledge her fear, confirm it's normal to be worried, remind her of why she wants it and move on.

The 2nd attempt she advised the clinic when she arrived that she was nervous and would like me there. She got the vaccine but not without stalling tactics and tears when with the nurses who were amazing, incredibly kind and understanding. They eventually gave it while she was distracted for a fraction of a second. As soon as it was done dd was thankful, embarrassed and apologetic to everyone about the fuss. DD really can't help or control her response, she's not a drama queen or worried about pain.

She's due her 2nd dose shortly and I know will be exactly the same, then mortified afterwards.

My DD 18 is the same. She has managed to have 2 Covid-19 jabs but both involved 20 minutes of pretty hysterical crying. She's fine with ear piercing and had just had her belly button done . She really wanted the jabs but can't stand the thought of stuff being injected into her. Everyone at the vac centre was brilliant, really patient and kind. But it took half hour each time.