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Overcoming your fear of needles

4/28/2021

15 Comments

 
​This post is made possible with support from the Meg Foundation. All opinions are my own
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I think we all have been there, sitting in the doctor’s office knowing that we need an injection, either for a pain medication, antibiotic, blood draw, or vaccine. The anticipation of the 2 seconds of pain brings out anxiety in most of us. It can be nerve-wracking.

The good news is there are things you can do to get through needle fear. I started working with these techniques with my son a few years back because he was very afraid of getting injections. When we had an appointment, there was always a lot of crying and sometimes having to hold his arm so he didn’t move and hurt himself or someone else in the room. I'm not sure who dreaded these appointments more, my son, me, or the nurses. The nurses were very calm and nice and told me that up to 63 percent of children exhibit needle fear, but parents can help kids prepare for their appointments to help with the anxiety. We started using techniques then, and now that he is a teenager, we continue with these techniques and just recently started applying new ones we learned from the Meg Foundation, a website with plenty of resources for both kids and adults to overcome the fear of needles.

We used their plan-building tool on Hack the Vax to help my son prepare for his most recent vaccination. If you prefer to work with paper instead of online, do not worry, the forms are available to be downloaded as well.

Here is how my son planned for his COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
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1. He completed the form and was prepared to tell the nurse he is normally scared of needles and he wanted for them to tell him when the shot was coming.
2. Through the years, we have discovered he doesn’t need any local anesthesia before the shot. He has realized that the pain he was so afraid of was actually quite minimal when compared to other types of pain he has felt before.
3. We decided he was going to listen to music on our way to his appointment and that during the moment just before the shot, he was going to be meditating.
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4. During the moment of the shot, he was going to be breathing as we had practiced and also hold his hands together to distract his mind from the pain.
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5. He also made a plan to look at the nurse but not the arm where they were applying the injection, and that really helped him with his anxiety levels.
6. Finally, the part that he probably looks forward to the most, the reward. We went out to get him a treat. He wanted a donut and take-out dinner. I let him pick the restaurant, too!
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I have to say the planning was successful and really helped him to have a pleasant appointment, which was great for him, for me, and for sure for the nurse. Now for the best news ever, he just told me to schedule the appointment for a doctor visit because he is due for a booster of one of his childhood vaccines. We have been postponing it due to the health crisis last year, but mainly because I know he didn’t want to have a shot. Now he knows he can prepare for it.

So if you, your kids, or anyone you know have a fear of needles, know that help is at Hack the Vax. Think, plan, and go get your shot without fear! So just like my son, it is time to schedule that vaccine appointment that you have been hesitant to make.
15 Comments
Ben
4/28/2021 07:37:42 am

I have a friend who is afriad of needles, but luckily he was more afraid of COVID. I think this could really help some people.

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Briana Baker link
4/28/2021 09:27:10 am

This is great! Luckily I don't have a fear of needles! (Allergy shots twice a week since childhood and then a few rounds of IVF will do that for ya lol) However, I have friends with kids with sensory issues and I think that this could help them too!

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melissa chapman link
4/28/2021 10:03:37 am

I am so glad my son got his first covid vaccine and had no ill effects whatsoever. Fear of needles is a real thing and these are good tips for the people to follow.

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Amber Myers
4/28/2021 12:54:20 pm

I do get a little nervous. But I remind myself that I got an epidural, so regular needles are nothing. My son and I are hoping to get our first COVID shot on Friday.

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Brandy link
4/28/2021 01:18:21 pm

This is the third post I have seen talking about being scared of needles. I had no idea this was a thing that so many people feared. I bet this is useful tips for someone who is scared of needles for any future reasons.

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sarah M
4/28/2021 01:59:33 pm

true story! The thing I was most scared about, when giving birth, was the needles. yup. just a plain ole needle.

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Eileen M Loya link
4/28/2021 03:08:24 pm

I am not really scared of needles or getting a vaccine. It is my daughter that is so scared of them and right now she is so anxious about getting her covid vaccine. I am going to send her the link to this post.

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Tasheena
4/28/2021 06:11:36 pm

I know a lot of people that are afraid of needles.

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Kathy
4/28/2021 07:45:01 pm

I'm not afraid of needles myself, as I have to get my blood draw and such a lot. I'm use to it by now. I know many who are afraid though.

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Nikki Wayne
4/28/2021 08:21:45 pm

It was really nice that he was able to get through it. Thanks for sharing.

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Maysz link
4/29/2021 03:50:48 am

I'm also fear of needles I know what it feels I'm so proud of you how I wish I' am brave same as you!

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Louisa link
4/29/2021 11:38:38 pm

coming from someone in the medical line, i can relate how some of these tips can help manage the fear of needles.

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Alyssa
4/30/2021 04:37:13 am

Glad to know that he feels much more comfortable now with needles. I love the tips and how planning has helped in this situation, thank you!

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Msjane90
4/30/2021 08:43:14 am

Thanks for sharing this article! Very helpful indeed.

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Camila
5/9/2021 11:12:11 am

I will be using some of these techniques my my son when we go to his appointment next week

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