I imagine getting pierced with a needle is not something we particularly enjoy thinking about each day. But, for some it gets even worse. Just the thought of being injected can produce anxious and phobic reactions such as sweaty palms, dizziness and heart palpitations.
Let me first assure you, this post is not political. I am well aware that many people remain sceptical about the current vaccines on offer.
From βa little too unbelievably fastβ production times and very vague explanations on the process methods of the vaccine itself β inject old virus vs new βmarkerβ/gene/reaction manipulation method β to the lack of data in studies for pregnant women and βherd immunityβ argumentsβ¦ I hear all the questions from anxious clients who are too scared to even ask for fear of being labelled an βAnti-vaxxerβ.
Unfortunately for anyone afraid of injections and needles, these current times can feel very challenging.
For the most part, we outgrow of a fear of needles. Despite this, needle fear is pretty common in adults and, unsurprisingly, it can lower the probability of vaccination.
So if youβre afraid of needles but you require an injection for medical, dental, aesthetic or cosmetic purposes, there are some suggestions that should help give you some distance from the intrusive negative thoughts.
A Spoonful of Sugar
A Sydney Social Scientist recently suggested that a little sugary snack beforehand can trigger dopamine and opioids in the brain, thus reducing the perception of pain.
Mainstream Mania
Avoid reading or watching news stories about vaccines in the lead-up to your appointment. Vaccines are usually administered from a fairly short, fine needle β not the hefty beasts that are often portrayed in the media
Just Breathe
βIf people are tensing up, trying to put a needle into a flexing muscle is fraught with difficulty and is more painful,β says Professor Robert Booy. So try some deep breathing exercise beforehand. Slowing the breathing down sends calming messages to the body and so helps to relax the muscles.
Distraction
Some distraction techniques work very well. Simply looking away from the area of injection and focussing on whatever you can see elsewhere. Perhaps thereβs a poster you can read on the wall, perhaps you might attempt to find a number of things you can see that are all a particular colour. Various instant distractions can refocus your mind away from the perceived βlittle scratchβ which lasts βjust a few secondsβ.
Being a mindset technician and imaginer myself, I have created a βVaccine, Injections and Needle Phobiaβ audio mp3 that can be downloaded to a mobile phone and played before and perhaps even during your appointment.
The audio allows you to practice taking your mind on a relaxing and enjoyable journey, on demand, so that you can instantly trigger this thought journey at any appropriate time. Find the βVaccine, Injections and Needle Phobiaβ here.
I hope these simple suggestions help your neutralise the experience of getting an injection, receiving a vaccine or facing a needle of any kind.
