Severe needle phobia. I have a blood test soon - please help!?!
Question: Severe needle phobia. I have a blood test soon - please help!?
I had a bad experience when i was 7 years old and it was my first time in hospital. I had to have an operation and when they were sedating me they held me down whilst i screamed and one nurse put her hand over my mouth and on my chest to stop me from moving. It was incredibly traumatic.
Now i am extremely phobic of needles - understandably.
I have a blood test soon and it is really important but i am so nervous. I have been prescribed some sort of numbing cream so that when i look away i am unaware that the needle has gone into my skin. However this isn't stopping me worrying.
Last time i went for a blood test it had to be rescheduled and eventually cancelled because i screamed and backed into the corner of the room and yelled at the nurse when she tried to come near me.
I know it sounds pathetic but i have no control over it and get so so scared.
By the way... I am 18 years old which makes it even more pathetic.
Now i am extremely phobic of needles - understandably.
I have a blood test soon and it is really important but i am so nervous. I have been prescribed some sort of numbing cream so that when i look away i am unaware that the needle has gone into my skin. However this isn't stopping me worrying.
Last time i went for a blood test it had to be rescheduled and eventually cancelled because i screamed and backed into the corner of the room and yelled at the nurse when she tried to come near me.
I know it sounds pathetic but i have no control over it and get so so scared.
By the way... I am 18 years old which makes it even more pathetic.
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
I'm not comfortable with needles either. I usually get a nurse to hold my arm so I won't move. If you're okay keeping your arm still, you can ask to hold someone's hand at the same time. Then, I make sure I look away. Seeing what's going on doesn't help. Think about something else. Maybe think of something you'll reward yourself with when you're done.
These things never take very long. It will all be over in a matter of minutes...probably more like seconds if I'm going to be completely realistic. You'll be perfectly fine.