If the thought of a blood test, a vaccination or a cannula makes your stomach drop, you are far from alone. For some people it goes beyond dislike. They put off appointments, avoid dental work or delay important treatment because of needles. If that sounds familiar, it is not a weakness or a lack of willpower. It is a fear response, and fear responses can be retrained.
What needle phobia looks like
Needle phobia can show up in different ways. Some people feel intense dread for days before an appointment. Others feel fine until they sit down in the chair and then panic, feel faint or want to leave. Some find that even seeing a needle on television, or hearing someone talk about injections, is enough to set off a physical reaction.
Common signs include a racing heart, sweating, nausea, shaky legs, a tight chest and a strong urge to escape. Many people tell me the worry about the appointment is worse than the needle itself.
Why the body reacts so strongly
The part of the brain that scans for danger does not distinguish well between a real threat and a small, necessary procedure. If it has learned to link needles with danger, it will switch on the body's alarm system whenever it spots one.
For some people there is an extra layer. Alongside the usual rise in heart rate, blood pressure can drop suddenly, which is why some people feel faint or actually pass out at the sight of a needle. This is a recognised response and not something you are doing on purpose. If this happens to you, it is worth telling the nurse or phlebotomist beforehand so they can help you lie down or take other precautions.
Why avoiding needles makes the fear stronger
Avoidance feels like relief in the moment, which is exactly why it keeps the fear going. Each time you cancel or put off an appointment, the brain gets the message that needles really were something to escape from. Over months or years the fear grows, and the stakes can rise too, particularly if you need regular bloods, vaccinations, dental treatment or hospital care.
How solution focused hypnotherapy can help
Solution focused hypnotherapy is practical and forward-looking. You do not need to go back over difficult experiences in detail. We focus on what you would like to be able to do, such as having a blood test calmly, and on helping your nervous system learn that it can stay settled in that situation.
In a session we talk through what you want to change, and then use hypnosis, a natural state of focused attention and relaxation, to build a sense of calm and safety in the body. You stay aware throughout and are always in control. We may also rehearse the appointment in your imagination, so that your brain has practised staying steady before you face the real thing.
Needle phobia is a specific, well-defined fear, and for many people a short course of sessions is enough. In my practice it is often around three sessions, though this varies from person to person.
Things that can help before your appointment
While you are working on the fear, a few practical steps can make appointments easier.
• Tell the clinician at the start that you are anxious about needles. Most are experienced and kind about this.
• Slow your breathing, with a longer out-breath than in-breath. Breathing out slowly signals to your body that it is safe to settle.
• Look away, or focus on something specific in the room, rather than watching the needle.
• Ask whether numbing cream or a different position is an option.
• If you tend to feel faint, ask to lie down, and let the team know in advance.
When to ask for support
If needle fear is causing you to avoid care you need, such as bloods, vaccinations, fertility treatment or cancer treatment, it is worth getting help sooner rather than later. Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical care, but it can make it much more manageable to attend and go through with it.
If you would like to talk about whether it could help you, you are welcome to get in touch with the clinic to book an appointment with our hypnotherapist Sharon Clare. She works with adults and young people aged 12 and over.