Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/830414 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)[2] classes needle phobia as part of a group of specific phobias of blood-injection-injury (B-I-I) type. This group is classified as a discrete subtype of phobia owing to the very high familial links, and the often extreme vasovagal response to the stimuli. Up to 80% of people with needle phobia report a first-degree relative with a strong phobic response. In most specific phobias, exposure to the feared object (e.g. dogs, heights) causes arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate to increase, as the body gets ready for action. The B-I-I subgroup differs in that 75% of sufferers will experience an initial increase in heart rate and AP, followed by an often almost immediate decrease, leading to fainting.[3] Sadly, in turn, the fear of fainting itself can then lead to the development of a more standard phobic response. Needles produce fainting; fainting is anxiety provoking; and anxiety produces feelings of being light-headed, sweaty, and blurred vision, which mimic the symptoms of fainting. The patient therefore gets into a vicious circle of avoiding the situation as the symptoms of anxiety convince them they are going to faint even before the procedure has begun. ... I have needle phobia with the full vasovagal response including fainting. So when I was recently at the hospital for a dog bite, I let everyone know. Then unexpected, the nurse brought out a huge syringe, the local. I looked away and tried to avoid thinking about it but soon as the finger was numb, the static vision came on and I asked to have my legs raised. They did and soon had me on EKG, blood pressure, and oxygen monitor. The BP was 118/64 and they thought it was great ... not realizing I have high blood pressure. Regardless, I can appreciate there is a feedback loop that tends to reenforce the phobia. But I see it as mostly harmless as long as we keep everyone informed. Bob Wilson
Glad to report I have no such needle phobia, which is just as well as I've needed countless blood tests in the past and with many more to come.
When i was 17, I decided to give blood to get over my needle phobia. Over 80 units later, it is still not working, I can't watch any part of the stabbing/unstabbing. About 5 years ago I had to stab myself with insulin twice a day. I do so through my shirt so I do not see it stab me. (I have a new avatar, this is as close to a halo as I am ever going to get!)
She is a wonderful partner, all that I am not. Organized, long range planning, giving, generous. I suspect her of 300 Christmas presents for 75 people this year. The IRS will again question $25,000 in charitable donations. As an Architect, she does a great deal of long range planning, as well as being on the road 2 weeks out of 5. A recent Project was an Auditorium at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick GA. Back. Front.
I'm asking out of pure curiosity. But for those suffering with this phobia can you watch movies with needle injection scenes? Or does the visual image itself cause the symptoms to manifest? Even if you know it's NOT you, and it's a fictional created scenario?
Dang it, poor light fooled me about the hematoma. I was concerned about necrosis but false alarm. Next time use bright white light. Bob Wilson
I don’t care for the injection scene but the story moves on. Sympathy but no physical effects. Yes, I get all my shots and blood tests but I let them know. It is a phobia but I treat it like a reflex. Mostly I look away and concentrate on something else. It is the visual and prick that triggers it. Bob Wilson
I cannot watch other people give blood either, just the sticking-unsticking, I am fine with the 'blood in tubes' part. Before realizing i could self administer through my shirt, my wife had to stab me while I was sitting down. My Dr wishes I would take my blood sugars daily, but that is just more stabbing.
Needles don't bother me. But messing with eyes will make me pass out and barf. I learned that the hard way watching a safety film about a guy not wearing safety glasses while using a grinder. Talk about embarrassed!!! I've given blood and also platelets for many years, but now can't due medicines and trips to Africa and Central America. I started in college. I talked my roommate, Brian, into going with me to donate blood one time, but he'd only go if the guy in the next room, Woody, would go. Brian was in line behind me and Woody after him as someone stuck my finger to verify the blood type. About 2 seconds later, Brian said, "I don't feel so good." I turned around in time to see his eyes roll back and then he hit the floor. Woody just stood there and laughed. Two people gathered Brian up as I was led over to the table. Once I was dripping, the phlebotomist moved aside and I could see Brian and Woody, both sitting on the floor, backs agains the wall, faces completely white. I had big fun with that for quite a while.
I tried giving blood once, the bag got half-full, and I started getting very light-headed, had to give up. Never did it again; I do have lowish blood pressure, slow heart rate, cold hands, all that jazz. Was in for some blood tests a while back:
The good news is they only stab you once! I was at the Dr about 3 years ago and went back for lab tests. They delayed my tests as a tech had gone for more blood collection tubes. I was fine untill he returned with 11 pallets of tubes!
My needle aversion (definitely a learned response from childhood, from the "this won't hurt a bit" lies intended solely to get a nervous child to hold still for just a moment) is usually much weaker than your phobia. But a few years ago, it was strongly reinforced by a needle biopsy attempt on what was thought to be an enlarged lymph node. Only later was it determined to be a nerve sheath tumor. The pain from the probing and twisting around, trying unsuccessfully to aspirate some tissue or fluid, put me into the full vasovagal response, eventually fainting some minutes after the procedure was abandoned. Before that point, my aversion had been much weaker to IV needles/catheters due to better (and adult-only) experiences. But the ensuing surgical biopsy was with that horrid needle experience still fresh. On the first try, the tech painfully hit a valve in the vessel. Boom! The vasovagal response started coming back, compounded by a (normally infrequent) Reynaud's symptom response, chilling my limbs and shrinking all extremity blood vessels. Because of those responses, it took 10 tries, plus a hot air blanket and multiple warm wet compresses, to get a successful IV. While never anywhere near that bad since, IVs also have never been easy again....
Surely this is brilliant news for your healthcare provider? They'll save loads of money on anaesthetic, because they don't need to use any. They just need to show you the needle, and you're as good as under a general anaesthetic.
I also have an aversion. The only time I have had the full response, as noted above, was when holding down my 9 year old son so the doctor could numb up a cheek cut for stitches. Boom, down to the floor I went. I certainly will not willingly submit to artificial connections to my circulatory system. Have to rule out any altruistic participation's such as blood donation. I know that puts me a little lower on the human caring scale. It can't be helped. Here is an unnatural fear for you, after having seen all the pictures above of the specimen collection tubes. I worry that the tube I get will be slightly pressurized instead of evacuated.
Usually, they just show me the bill ahead of time and get ready to catch me. Edit to add, having two kids with cystic fibrosis, you get very used to needles. You have no reasonable choice.
My dad gave blood like a champ, bless him. He had a rare type too, one that can maybe be used universally??
Type O negative blood is universal donor had by 5% of global population. Unless you are in crisis 'they' still won't give you a bag without some cross matching. It's a more subtle thing. However if you are O- you can expect to be very popular at front end of transfusion chain.
As I mentioned, I have over 80 units of blood with MS Blood Services (O+) My wife, however has a gold card. (O-) She donated about 20 units before getting a recurring false positive for Hepatitis C.
