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How to overcome needle anxiety?

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (26)

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@jakedduck1 I know that many people who comment here mean well and I am going to assume your comment is tongue in cheek. I probably did not explain this well in my initial question, but it is much more than fearing a bit of pain. Ever since I was a teen, my body faints at the sight of blood. I’m not trying to be dramatic or hysterical, it just happens quickly so I’ve either anticipated the issue and gone off to another room to lie down and faint, or just avoid the situation as much as possible. I’ve been able to white knuckle my way though a lot, but I’m also tired of losing function of my arm or hand for weeks due to hematomas. I know my issue sounds pretty pathetic, but I deal with a lot of health issues and sometimes they get to a breaking point where I feel like I just can’t deal with one more thing. I’m only 40 and I have so many other things going on, I just want to do what I can to make the simple things easier. Hearing about other people finding success gives me hope.

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@ashleyharris728, I have fainted multiple times, even gone into shock from multiple injections (apparently 2 is my limit), and thrown up from shock. I’m 64 and remember the first time I fainted when I was 11, and that was just from seeing the needle for getting my ears pierced. (Albeit that woman kept showing it to me and telling me that she was going to stick it thru my ear lobe.)
If there is a way not to become anxious, I’d love to know. My heart races, my blood pressure goes up, and I feel faint just thinking about having the injection. Then I “jerk” when the needle is inserted, vaccine or blood withdraw, sometimes becoming dizzy and faint when it does happen.