Body and symptoms
Needle phobia
A specific fear, taken seriously, worked with slowly.
Needle phobia is not the same as being nervous, and treating it as the same is why so many people give up before they start. It is a specific, recognised fear that often has a fainting response attached, and it responds to graded exposure and to not being ambushed.
This circle moves at the pace of whoever is most frightened. Several members here have got from "I cannot look at the box" to a weekly routine.
Who this circle is for
- You have a genuine phobia rather than nerves
- You faint or nearly faint
- You have worked through this and can describe the steps
Agreements here
- No surprises, no pushing, no "just do it"
- Fainting is a physiological response, not a weakness — we plan around it
Talking a newer member through theirs on a call
Delyth13 replies
Talking a newer member through theirs on a call — putting it in its own thread so it does not get lost in the check-in. Squeamish subject, so I am going to be plain about it and get it…
What my GP arranged for the first four doses
Isla8 replies
A question rather than an update: What my GP arranged for the first four doses Something is going on with my body and I would like to know whether it is ordinary. The thing that has…
I stopped because of this and I am back to try again
Winkle19 replies
I stopped because of this and I am back to try again Writing it down partly to work out what I actually think. Squeamish subject, so I am going to be plain about it and get it over with. I…
The steps I broke it into, written out
Bramwell14 replies
Starting a thread on this because it keeps coming up in ones and twos: The steps I broke it into, written out Squeamish subject, so I am going to be plain about it and get it over with.…
Somebody sat on a call with me for forty minutes last night while I did my first injection
Winkle8 replies
Weymouth. Nickname from childhood, it stuck, and I am writing this the morning after because I want to get it down before it becomes an anecdote. Background, briefly. I do not do needles.…
My phobia started with a childhood blood test
Bass16 replies
Something I have been sitting with: My phobia started with a childhood blood test Not looking for advice so much as other people's experience. I have avoided asking about this for six…
Eight weeks from the box to the first dose
Bass15 replies
Starting a thread on this because it keeps coming up in ones and twos: Eight weeks from the box to the first dose I have avoided asking about this for six weeks out of pure embarrassment.…
I cannot look at the box, let alone open it
Winkle15 replies
Starting a thread on this because it keeps coming up in ones and twos: I cannot look at the box, let alone open it Something is going on with my body and I would like to know whether it is…
Applied tension for the fainting response — what my nurse taught me
Perrine21 replies
Applied tension for the fainting response — what my nurse taught me Writing it down partly to work out what I actually think. Before anyone says it: yes, I have an appointment booked. I…
Thirty-one years of avoiding this and a fridge full of pens
Tiernan7 replies
Omagh. Quiet, watchful, occasionally hilarious, and none of those three are much help here. I am forty-two. I have had two needles in my adult life, both under considerable duress, and I…
Hiding the sharps bin because seeing it sets me off
Bryn M23 replies
Hiding the sharps bin because seeing it sets me off — putting it in its own thread so it does not get lost in the check-in. Squeamish subject, so I am going to be plain about it and get it…
Does the shorter needle actually help
Bramwell21 replies
A question rather than an update: Does the shorter needle actually help Squeamish subject, so I am going to be plain about it and get it over with. What I would find most useful is not…
I fainted, I was fine, I did it again the next week
Perrine14 replies
Starting a thread on this because it keeps coming up in ones and twos: I fainted, I was fine, I did it again the next week I have avoided asking about this for six weeks out of pure…
Practising with the training device
Ollie O22 replies
Something I have been sitting with: Practising with the training device Not looking for advice so much as other people's experience. I have avoided asking about this for six weeks out of…