Does the thought of needles make you dizzy, sweaty, or run the other way?

They did for Amber* a client who would shudder and cry when she thought about needles. As she sat in the large recliner chair in my Hypnotherapy Clinic and described her fear of needles, I watched quietly as a bright red rash crept up her chest, neck then onto her face, her breathing quickened and fat, salty tears spilt out onto her cheeks.

Amber is not alone, it’s estimated up to 10% of adults and anywhere from 30 – 50% of children and adolescence experience Trypanophobia which is described as extreme fear of medical procedures involving injections or needles which is commonly known as needle phobia.

Phobias are defined as an extreme and irrational fear of something. Symptoms that someone who has a phobia may experience are; A racing heart, nausea, dizziness, shaking, panic, sweating, shallow breathing, vomiting, crying, some may lash out physically or run away.

People with needle phobia go to great lengths to avoid the trigger, this avoidance can really make day-to-day life difficult as they may put off necessary medical interventions such as vaccinations, blood tests, operations, or dental work.

Most phobias start in childhood, so what causes needle phobia?

• A negative life experience or trauma involving needles or medical procedures such as being restrained.
• Learning negative information from others e.g. Trauma shows on TV or even a scary story told by a friend.
• A relative may have a needle phobia.
• Some people may have extreme skin sensitivity.

Amber recalled always being fearful of needles and being restrained as a child while she kicked and screamed during vaccinations. As an adult her fiancé had been involved in a terrible car accident where he spent weeks in hospital in a coma, her fear of needles scaled all the way to 10/10 as she remembered all the needles and tubes in his body at a time she thought she would lose him. However, now the phobia was extremely problematic as she wanted to start a family and needed to begin fertility treatment which seemed impossible at this point.

Amber had tried traditional therapies such as psychology and counselling in the past with no luck but had read Hypnotherapy had been successful for many others with needle phobia and was willing to try anything.

So why is hypnotherapy so successful in the treatment of phobias? Hypnotherapy addresses the core issue such as trauma that the client may have experienced in the past but does so when the client is in a relaxed state that allows the individual to unhook or disconnect uncomfortable feelings around needles/medical procedures and anchor in feelings of calm instead. Hypnotherapy is safe and gentle and I see as many children as I do adults for needle phobia.

Shortly after, I received a photo of a smiley face drawn on a little round plaster on the inside of Amber’s arm with the caption “this is how I feel after having my blood test”.