Needle phobia’s proper name is “Belonephobia”.  It is a medical condition that makes you very scared of needles and having injections.  It can be so bad that sufferers try to avoid all medical care, even when they are seriously ill.

What causes needle phobia and who can get it?

Anyone can develop a fear of needles.

There are two main reasons why people become needle phobic:

• A negative experience when they were young. For example, a very painful procedure at the dentist or hospital.
• A fear that has developed because someone else close to you has had a bad experience of needles or is needle phobic themselves.

Actual needle phobia is not very common at all. Most people do not have a real phobia of needles but do develop a strong feeling of anxiety about having injections. This is called a procedural anxiety rather than a phobia.

It is common for young people who have had to have lots of hospital care to develop a fear of injections and other medical procedures. This is because they associate hospitals with pain. The fear and anticipation of being hurt makes them anxious before going in to have any treatment.

What is needle phobia?

Needle phobia is defined as an intense fear of sharp objects such as pins or needles.

A lot of medical procedures involve have injections or blood tests. For someone with a needle phobia the idea of having these procedures fills them with anxiety, fear and dread. Some sufferers can even pass out whilst having an injection because of their intense anxiety.

In some people their fear of needles leads them to avoid going to their doctor or hospital at all, even when they need urgent treatment.

For people with procedural anxiety the thought of having an injection will fill them with dread, but this fear can be controlled.

Ways to cope with needle phobia?

If you have needle phobia or procedural anxiety there are a few things that can help.

Information

Doctors and nurses can really help by making you fully aware of what is going to happen and the reasons why. This can prepare you for the injection and reassure you that nothing bad is going to happen. If you would rather not be told, ask your doctor or nurse not to tell you. Sometimes knowing can make you feel more scared and apprehensive,

Coping strategies

Distraction techniques can really help.  Focus on something to look at on the wall, read a magazine, hum a tune – anything to distract your attention from the needle.

Topical local anaesthetic gel and spray

It is possible to numb the nerves in a small area before having an injection. Topical anaesthetics have been used in hospitals for many years and are often applied to the skin as a spray.  This can stop you feeling the sting of an injection so the whole experience is less painful.

It’s your choice

Having to have injections and medical procedures can make you feel like you are not in control and this can be scary. But even if you have no choice over your treatment there are other choices you can make.

• Do you want someone with you when you have the injection?
• Do you want to lie down/stand up/sit down?
• Do you want to use anaesthetic spray?
• What are you going to do to help yourself through the experience? Hum a song, say your 9 times table, look at a picture on the wall?
• Do you want to know what is happening or would you rather not?

Talk through things with your parents or doctor before you have the procedure to decide how you would like to cope with it. Ask yourself how you cope with other things that scare you, like exams, and try to take control of your fear.

What’s going to help?

One of the most effective ways of dealing with an anxiety or phobia is to understand them.

Ask yourself why you are scared of needles and then try to combat your fear.

If you can’t combat your fear on your own, some people find talking to a therapist can help them get over their fear and approach needles in a more positive way.

For more help and information

If you would like to know more about needle phobia, please ask your doctor.

• Young Minds
• No More Panic

Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: 20 September 2007

Copyright © Great Ormond Street Hospital