The phobia of needles or belonephobia in psychology is an irrational and incapacitating fear. In which the person who suffers from it fears having contact with a needle or some sharp object. That can be inserted into any part of his body. This type of phobia is usually more common than it seems and although it does not seem to be a major problem. There are usually many complications when the person has to take a blood test or has to be injected to cure a disease, among other important situations.
Like all disabling fear, the aim is to eliminate it so that it stops limiting us. In some aspects of our daily lives. But how do you overcome the fear of needles? In this article, we are going to provide you with more information about this type of fear too. Finally, give you some solutions that can be of great help to you when you want to overcome the phobia of needles or belonephobia.
Causes of Fear of Needles
The cause of a person developing a fear of needles or belonephobia is practical. The same as almost any other type of phobia. This type of irrational fear is developed by a kind of associative learning where the person relates. In this case, the needles, with some negative and traumatic events.
For example, if as a child you used to get very sick and they had to continuously take blood tests or they gave you intravenous serum or some kind of medicine in the hospital, probably because of the discomfort and suffering you went through in that situation, you have finished it relating to the needles and you end up seeing them, therefore, as something extremely dangerous and negative.
Another possible cause that you have developed a fear of needles is having witnessed a situation in which a person was suffering and experiencing a lot of pain when a needle was inserted into their body, so you have been left with that idea of catastrophism and negativity probably exaggerated. Surely, the person you saw suffering because a needle was being inserted also had this distorted and exaggerated perception about it.
Symptoms of Needle Phobia or Belonephobia
The main symptoms experienced by a person who is afraid of needles are the following:
- Cognitive symptoms: catastrophic thoughts related to the damage that needles can do, anxiety, extreme fear, lack of concentration.
- Physical symptoms: sweating, palpitations, trembling of some parts of the body, stomach pain, feeling of suffocation, among others.
- Behavioral symptoms: avoid being in contact with needles as much as possible.
The situations in which this type of phobia is most present, generally, are the following:
- Being in a hospital and being in contact with doctors and/or nurses.
- When it is known that an injection is necessary to treat a disease.
- By seeing the needles, either on television or in person.
- Being in a session with the dentist.
- When being near a doctor’s office and/or a hospital.
- By experiencing some type of smell that is related to that of a hospital.
- When a blood test is to be done.
Five useful tips to overcome the fear of needles
This type of irrational fear of needles usually develops in childhood, which is when it is easier to eliminate it, however, it can also be eradicated as adults. Next, we are going to present you with a series of practical tips that will be very useful when you want to lose your fear of needles, blood tests, pricks, injections, etc.
Get distracted.
It is important that from the moment we are in the waiting room of the consultation until we are inside, we distract our mind on other types of things so that it stops focusing on fear. When we are all the time paying attention to the fear we have, we only make it get bigger and bigger and we have a worse time. So it is better that we distract ourselves, for example, listening to music, reading a book, thinking about what we have to do during the day, etc.
Relax your body.
When our body is tense due to the same anguish and worry that the situation of knowing that we are going to receive an injection causes us, for example, we only make the pain that we are going to experience increase exponentially than if we experience it while relaxed. Therefore, it is best not to put up too much resistance.
Talk to the Hypnosis.
If you find yourself extremely nervous, one thing you can do that is very helpful is to talk to your Hypnosis, tell him about something that has happened to you these days, any concern about your health, you can even tell him about the anxiety you feel when you know that you are going to be injected. Adelaide Hypnosis is used to treating people with this same fear, and they will surely know what to say to you to make you feel more relaxed.
Relaxation exercises
Before the consultation and even while there, you can start doing a breathing exercise. Such as diaphragmatic breathing, which will allow you to feel more relaxed and calm. Diaphragmatic breathing basically consists of breathing slowly and deeply, holding the air for a few seconds, and slowly taking it out through the mouth. If you know any other type of relaxation exercise, it is recommended that you use it.
Change your perception of this fear.
Try to change that negative and catastrophic idea you have about needles for a more realistic and positive one. You can, for example, focus on the benefits that having a medication injected will bring you. Since you will feel much better, having a blood test to know your health status, etc. Put aside those concerns regarding this issue.
