I have been trying to cope with my fear for too many years. I have come here before and looked for help and support which i always get here. But every thing I have tried has not work and I am at the end of my rope. I can no longer put me getting a physical on the back burner since I have developed certain health concerns. The last time I saw a dentist I told them that I have a very bad needle phobia and they were very helpful but they tried to sneak a needle with out me looking (which I did see) AND I put a wrist lock on the dental asst. and almost broke her arm. But a few days later I wondered what if the Dentist or Doctor where to just strap me down? Arms legs even head. I know it would probably make my fear worse in the end but not even drugs have helped (look at my older posts). I know this seems extreme but I just longer know what to do.

I know exactly how you feel. I hate it when medical personnel tell me to look away or just take it, because I always have to watch the needle go in - just to make sure that it's going where they said it would go - and know that it's coming.

What I usually do in these circumstances is to just get it over with. By the way, pain isn't a factor for me (I am afraid of needles because they are invasive), so it might be easier for me to do this. I kinda' have a little mental discussion with my body beforehand. I tell it that something's going to pass through for a few seconds, and that we just have to push through until it's over. Then, I tell the person to inject me and once the needle has gone in, I close my eyes and listen to my heart beat while counting slowly. In my mind, everything just kinda' blacks out and all I hear is my blood rushing through my veins and my heart pumping. This technique works very well but it is hard to initiate it!! I find that I need to calm down first before I can collect myself.. so, calming down is the hard part! Good luck.

(07-02-2012 08:47 AM)NeedleFreak Wrote:  I know exactly how you feel. I hate it when medical personnel tell me to look away or just take it, because I always have to watch the needle go in - just to make sure that it's going where they said it would go - and know that it's coming.

What I usually do in these circumstances is to just get it over with. By the way, pain isn't a factor for me (I am afraid of needles because they are invasive), so it might be easier for me to do this. I kinda' have a little mental discussion with my body beforehand. I tell it that something's going to pass through for a few seconds, and that we just have to push through until it's over. Then, I tell the person to inject me and once the needle has gone in, I close my eyes and listen to my heart beat while counting slowly. In my mind, everything just kinda' blacks out and all I hear is my blood rushing through my veins and my heart pumping. This technique works very well but it is hard to initiate it!! I find that I need to calm down first before I can collect myself.. so, calming down is the hard part! Good luck.

I just dont look when they do so. It works.. for me at least

I just dont look when they do so. It works.. for me at least
[/quote]
Once and for all this doesn't work since for many of us since we view the needle as a threat and will and try to keep aware of where it is at all time. We see it as a threat. Seriously if I could get a shot or blood drawn by not looking at it I would go in blindfolded.

Needles bother me. Not as much to say I have a phobia but they definitely mess with my head. I usually trust the person poking me-been working with them for a long time or whatever- so I am able to look away. But the MOST IMPORTANT part for me is they can not count before they poke. The 1-2-3 gets me too worked up so I'm freaking and super tense (and if going into a muscle it hurts a lot more :/ ). But I am able to kinda stick my head in the sand a bit and pretend it is not happening so by the time it "happens" they are pretty much done and its over.
Maybe its worth trying to not have them count to three and it would create *with luck!* less of a build up and less anxiety in the end?

(03-18-2013 07:29 PM)Slaka Wrote:  Maybe its worth trying to not have them count to three and it would create *with luck!* less of a build up and less anxiety in the end?

Slaka, maybe mentioning to the nurse that the counting causes anxiety for you, tenses you up. Just let her know that and maybe she'll try some other way.

I know what works for me. The last time I had a needle there were some funny cartoons on the wall where I sat. By the time the nurse got to me I was laughing to myself and completely relaxed. Maybe taking some comical material or your favourite book will work for you. By the time the nurse gets to give you a needle, you may be feeling very relaxed already.

Good luck!

Well I have been going to CBT/Biofeedback therapy for a few months now, 2 weeks ago I got a scratch on my ankle and it swelled up huge. I went to my therapist and I asked her to prep me for the doctor visit I was going to have the next day, she did. I went to the doctor, and she told me I had to go to the ER. In the ER I had a panic attack all the training went out the window. I was told I could lose my foot, but I still refused treatment. I could not even make it to the room where they draw the blood. They gave me some antibiotic pills and told me to come back. Luckily it worked. But it still scares me, but not just the fear of needles, but the realization that I am facing some thing horrible as a losing a foot and I still can not take a needle. This realization has depressed me even more to the point that I am thinking to stop going to therapy feeling it does not work, and that I may never get over this.