https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/home daily 1.0 2025-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629565666946-4CN7FTDX03AT7981W6K4/jesse-orrico-Us3AQvyOP-o-unsplash.jpg Home - This isn’t just about not liking needles. You might experience heart racing, nausea, panic, or a sudden drop in blood pressure that leads to fainting. These are real, involuntary, intense physical reactions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629413299964-LOY7QG6D32T4GDA212D1/one_in_four.png Home - About 10 to 25 percent of people experience needle phobia.. That means you or someone you know is affected by this key contributor to Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629413735996-5XOGH0U67XS2FCV0CU07/marcelo-leal-vZawEq0Eexo-unsplash.jpg Home - Evidence-based interventions such as exposure therapy have been shown to be effective for managing needle phobia. As little as two hours of exposure therapy treatment with a therapist has been proven to be highly effective. Invest two hours so you can roll up your sleeve and get the medical care you need. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1632848879344-4UPYCEFIMBFQRCOVZ9VC/IMG_6392.PNG Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629566321662-B7FVVJFMTMOUCF36UFN8/white-heart.png Home - See our Call to Action to learn how we can address needle phobia, increase vaccination rates, and create more equitable and empathic healthcare for all. https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/strategies daily 0.75 2021-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629419591980-2X6KV54ZYECV86CWHI29/badge.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Focus on the benefits Instead of focusing on the short-term distress, recognize the positive effects that last much longer. Focus on the benefits of overcoming your needle anxiety and giving yourself and others access to the life-saving properties of herd immunity. Do a celebration dance like this Canadian man celebrating Covid-19 vaccination with bhangra dancing on a frozen lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629422464921-1TE3QPDGNBNKXBZSWNEJ/mountain.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Build comfort through exposure Deliberately exposing yourself to your fears—in this case, needles—gives you mastery over them. Over time with exposure, you will require less of the comfort measures above. Exposure therapy might begin with viewing pictures or videos of needles and progress to watching someone else get a shot. Over time your body learns, “I’m in control and I can survive this.” Exposure therapy can be provided by CBT therapists who specialize in phobias (here’s info on how to access free CBT for needle phobia). People with mild fear may be able to guide themselves through the steps using the strategies outlined above, or the self-guided program by AnxietyUK provided here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629419478327-WIEYBMMIK8O1HE2Z8J0H/monkey.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Don’t watch It’s typically not helpful to watch all of the preparation for the needle or closely watch the needle itself. Some will even wear a blindfold before entering the room to avoid the sight of needles (this requires a support person to escort you in). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629419273686-7AMEYK3UUSTP6P4TAB46/talking.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Speak up Tell the person giving you a shot that you struggle with this, and let them know what works best for you. Given the common occurrence of needle anxiety, the person administering the shot likely has some strategies to help you through. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629422508077-G42GFVORUZEKJRGJWDIF/reading.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Learn from others Watch this excellent video produced by a person with needle phobia on strategies you can use to get vaccinated; or read this story about a journalist who got vaccinated despite her phobia of needles. She writes, “Having convinced myself that my fear would be treated as a nuisance, I was surprised and touched to find the volunteers were practically tripping over each other to support me.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629422587884-590884AAZZMDDIF63ADH/muscle3.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Learn applied tension If you faint around needles, your blood pressure may rise and then fall suddenly from the sight of a needle, causing lightheadedness. A simple, research-proven technique called applied tension may help. Learning how to tense your abdominal and leg muscles allows you to maintain stable blood pressure and prevent the fainting response. The goal is to let your body return to a normal state: not too tense or too relaxed (complete relaxation can cause your blood pressure to drop). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629415407590-JGZSRFP4ICS6YMNF6OIA/hands.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Bring support, if allowed The presence of a partner, trusted friend, or family member can provide valuable support. Ask a friend or family member to help with scheduling, driving you to and from the appointment, and speaking up on your behalf at the appointment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629419310435-6JMPU8YZ4F1M87DZDSGZ/breathing2.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Learn to breathe Try breathing techniques to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for generating rest and calm. Practice this box breathing exercise, which is used by navy seals to manage high-stress situations. Box breathing is simple: inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4, repeat. Practice in the days leading up to your vaccination, as well as at your appointment itself. Note: if you have a history of fainting, relaxing too much can make it more likely you’ll faint. See below for tips on fainting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629417355249-ZGIUQK639PBAY2N5W7YZ/headphones.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Harness the power of distraction Focus on things other than the needle: a spot on the floor, photos or videos on your phone, conversation, or music (you can bring your own headphones). See this amazing video of a pediatrician distracting a young child before a vaccination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629422677129-60420O3MZ2M7VHJ3S0YQ/lie+down.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Lie down and stay hydrated If you faint around needles, lie down while getting the vaccination. Rest (in a chair, etc.) for 30 minutes after the injection, as fainting responses can at times be delayed. Make sure to stay hydrated, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629415551246-RJ4T98JUO7KOP9QY7TH6/calendar.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Shrink your worry Shrink the available space for worry by booking your appointment for a nearby date. Most of needle anxiety lies in the anticipation of the event. If the appointment is booked for a date soon approaching, you will have less time to worry and agonize. Many areas in the U.S. have walk-in appointments available at your local convenience store. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629419418704-OCU232THCU1TUWQXKOPR/ice+cube.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Numb the site If pain is an issue, ask your doctor to prescribe a numbing agent like EMLA or purchase your own lidocaine cream at a local convenience store. More info about numbing cream here. You can also use a Buzzy, freezing spray, or ice to reduce the pain. Thankfully, the needle gauge used for the Covid-19 vaccines is small, so our clients often report, “It was much less painful than predicted.” (These are products that are positively reviewed by our clients with needle phobia. EMLA and the Buzzy are also research-backed. We are not paid to promote these products.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629422749765-6EC2FSBVL67BWF7RMQX7/video.png Strategies for managing needle anxiety - Helpful videos for needle anxiety Check out this directory of helpful videos for overcoming needle anxiety. https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/about-us daily 0.75 2022-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1629415910374-9USE71QTINAMF49QG5XD/Jocelyn+head+shot.jpg About Us - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/611ed638d7ec71010806c075/1632718960628-O3KTQPNAW90WIVZ3PO5U/Julie+L.+Lustig%2C+Ph.D.jpg About Us - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/learn daily 0.75 2022-04-04 https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/participant-registration daily 0.75 2021-10-09 https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/therapist-registration daily 0.75 2021-10-01 https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/videos daily 0.75 2021-10-08 https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/symptoms-of-needle-phobia daily 0.75 2021-09-06 https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/resources-for-managing-needle-phobia daily 0.75 2023-05-25 https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/exposure-videos-needle-phobia daily 0.75 2021-10-17 https://www.idontlikeneedles.com/exposure-audios-for-needle-phobia daily 0.75 2021-10-17