Needle phobia is a fear of medical needles that can cause panic reactions and fainting. It is often related to traumatic medical experiences. Relaxation techniques may not be recommended, but laughing gas or topical pain relievers can help. It is important to inform medical personnel of severe needle phobia.
Needle phobia, also called trypanophobia, is an aggressive fear of receiving injections from medical needles. The term is not usually used to describe a fear of non-medical needles, such as sewing needles and machine needles. Many people experience mild needle phobia when receiving injections, but do not avoid medical institutions due to this fear. Treatment for this phobia is only needed when the fear prevents a person from seeking medical attention or engaging in daily activities.
Many people who are afraid of needles are also afraid of doctors. This is because this type of fear is often related to traumatic experiences involving medical procedures, whether experienced or seen. The experience of the entire unpleasant procedure becomes psychologically linked to the symbol of the needle, and great amounts of irrational fear are aroused whenever this object is seen.
Some people who suffer from this fear have panic reactions when faced with the need to give themselves an injection. Others faint at the sight of a needle. The exact reaction a person experiences when confronted with their fear varies, and the person may not be able to control it. It is important to inform medical personnel of severe needle phobia so that preventive measures can be taken or additional staff can be kept on hand.
Fainting is one of the most common problems with this phobia. Some people who pass out during injections do not fear the needle, but rather fear passing out. These people then learn to fear getting any kind of injection due to the likely reaction.
Treatment for this fear is similar to most other phobias. Relaxation techniques can be used, but are often not recommended because they encourage fainting. Most medical professionals can give injections quickly, so simply having the self-control to follow through with the procedure may be enough.
Strong fear of needles often emerges unexpectedly in real medical settings where an injection is needed. In these cases, laughing gas or other substances can often be used to make the patient less anxious about the procedure. Children, who often fear the pain of an injection rather than the injection itself, can be soothed by the use of topical pain relievers because this completely removes the source of concern. In some cases, an alternative method can be used to introduce a substance into the body, avoiding needles but often resulting in a significantly more painful procedure. The use of these methods may or may not be warranted in an individual’s case, but if severe needle phobia is known to exist, it is a good idea to notify doctors immediately so that appropriate measures can be taken. .
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