I pondered for a while and I don't see why not to share...

hi, my name is iga I live in poland and now am 20.

I have needle phobia. I didn't know there were more people like me. well I did but I figured that all of them just live with it not having to struggle like I do. it's a very troublesome thing for me. my mother's a doctor and since I remember she gave me shots when I was sick. she thought I was histeric. none of the people I know encounter problems with blood tests, so they don't really understand. my dentist, who is a friend of my parents, after every visit tells them I behave like a child(a nurse has to hold me to the chair, and if asked I don't agree to any anaesthetic). I ran away from the hospital in the middle of winter when they wanted to get my blood samples, leaving my coat and bag behind. I was 18 then, I never came back for my things - I was too embarassed . the point is that all people around just kept on telling me that I'm not a child anymore and I shouldn't behave like that. I never imagined that was a condition. the other problem is that I wanted to pierce my eyebrow. I figured that it can't be THAT bad cause I don't really have to see the needle and it will only be a minute(and I had one piercing before it wasn't all that bad:(). I fainted on the table. the needle went through but there had to be something wrong because the pierce migrated from my skin, must have been because the lady which was doind the piercing freaked out and started to bring me around. I was so proud of the fact I did it anyway. but I'm getting offtopic, sorry.

I guess all I'm trying to say is that I'm really relived that there are more people like me. maybe this can help.

Hi Iga and a very warm welcome to Ofear

Its so good you have decided to join us after your pondering hehe because im sure you will get some great advice here and make new friends. As you have already seen there are lots of people like you and im one of them. Im shocked when you get referred to as a child though because its so common to be afraid of needles and dentists for people of all ages. Oh and also congrats for the piercing hehe.

Once again thanks for joining and enjoy your time here.

Take care

John

Thank you : >

oh and another thing I wanted to ask - I've read something about an expert from Ohio comming to anwser some questions about needlephobia - is that still possible?
I think I have some questions for him : _ :
now I'm off to reading the forum and some webpages on this topic - I guess it helps a lot:_;

Unfortunately the guy I was in contact with mysteriously stopped answering my emails but im still trying to get him on the forum. If that fails I will try other specialists anyway.

Iga,

I totally identify with what you are going through. When people who don't understand call us "childish" for our uncontrollable phobias, that is uncalled for and doesn't help anything. They are actually the ones who are childish because they think just because we have problems that they don't, it means our fears aren't valid. That's not very adult of them. All of us here know that this is a very real issue for us and is not something we can just sweep under the rug.

I would go pick up your coat and your purse for you, but I would probably faint on the way out. Then for the rest of my life, everyone would know me as the childish fainter that carries a purse! That would make me a great conversation piece for all who witnessed the display, but that's not publicity I would want =D

I was unaware that people in other countries didn't take that condition serious too. I guess we should raise awarness. I talked the phobia over with my mother she said she can talk with some other specialists and maybe bring me some literature on that subject. But I guess that there's not much on that specific issue. If I find something I let you guys know:_:

oh and thnx for wanting to go back for my things :>

I recently spoke to a friend of mine who happens to be a phlebotomist{which means she does blood tests all day} I know...Most of us here think that someone who would volunteer to do that everyday needs to do some serious soul searching right?

Anyway,
I told her about my phobia and asked her if during her schooling they studied people with needle phobia. She said NO....They did discuss that there were people who were afraid of needles, but they didn't study anything concerning the full blown phobia and there aren't any studies in place to try to understand our phobia better

In short,
basically society takes a "Get Over It" approach.
Obviously we have all tried that and it's not happening.