What Is Trypanophobia? Are You Afraid Of Injections?

What is Trypanophobia?

Trypanophobia is the fear of needles. It is an extremely common phobia, and many people suffer from it. It affects the quality of their lives and can even cause depression or thoughts of suicide. With that said, many people who have trypanophobia experience extreme anxiety at the thought of simply touching a needle or being pricked by one- something that may seem like a small pain to most people.

As stated above, many people with this phobia cannot stand even being near a needle while they are in proximity to them. While some can help with this disorder without taking medications, others find it impossible to live without them. Because of this, there are many options for treatment, including medications, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy and acupuncture. Unfortunately some treatments can be extremely expensive and others may not be available in all areas.

Let's take a look at how trypanophobia affects some of those who have it:

"I do not go to the dentist's office because I cannot handle being in the same room with them! The sight of needles makes me nervous. I can't bear to even touch one." "I tried to go to a local doctor to get my flu shot today but couldn't even be near the nurse when she gave me my injection. It was a nightmare that I'm still upset over now. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about my fear and about all the other patients who are getting their shots. I'm afraid that trypanophobia will stop me from doing anything I want to do in life." "I can't even go anywhere close to a needle because they remind me of needles and make me anxious. Every time I see one, I feel like I'm going to pass out or get sick. My only relief is when I drop down so that my face is resting on a pillow until it passes." "I cannot get a flu shot because even being surrounded by people who have it makes me nervous. The sight of a needle makes me anxious for days on end. It's horrible. I don't know what to do! Trypanophobia feels like it is controlling my life."

How Do You Know If You Really Have It?

If you agree with the statements above, even if they are not exactly like the ones you have, here is the first step in your trypanophobia treatment: Recognize that this fear is real, and that it has control over you. Realizing this will help make you feel better because now you are aware that it is not just a single occurrence. This will allow you to begin to think about ways that can help you cope with this phobia.

Trypanophobia Symptoms

Many people with trypanophobia experience the following problems:

Avoidance and anxiety around needles, especially after seeing or hearing about how their loved one was hurt by a needle. Fear of being pricked with a needle. Discolored skin and blood stains on clothes following accidental puncture wounds. Anxiety when thinking about being in the same room as someone who has an injection—even if you know they are fine and not feeling pain. Getting sick or throwing up when you are in the same area as needles or receiving injections at school, work, or other areas where it is not medically necessary.

If you believe that you have trypanophobia and this phobia is causing problems in your life, it is time to talk to a professional. As stated above, some people with trypanophobia may be able to overcome their phobia without medications or treatment, but others will need this help.

Treatment For Trypanophobia

One of the best things you can do to help deal with your fear is understand why it exists. We all have fears that are unique to us as individuals and as a result of our experiences growing up. Knowing where yours stems from can help eliminate some fear-provoking beliefs and make coping easier for you. When you know where your fears come from, you are more capable of facing them.

Trypanophobia Treatment Options

There are a variety of treatments that may be helpful with trypanophobia. The most common treatment options include:

Medications . If you decide to get medication for trypanophobia it will most likely start working gradually. It is important to take your medication as directed by the doctor and report any side effects immediately. They can help alleviate symptoms and allow you to feel more comfortable using needles, but it cannot cure the problem. Be safe by always taking all of your prescribed medications, even when you do not feel well.

. If you decide to get medication for trypanophobia it will most likely start working gradually. It is important to take your medication as directed by the doctor and report any side effects immediately. They can help alleviate symptoms and allow you to feel more comfortable using needles, but it cannot cure the problem. Be safe by always taking all of your prescribed medications, even when you do not feel well. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of treatment that has been found to be helpful in treating anxiety disorders including trypanophobia over the long-term. CBT helps people feel better by directly addressing the thoughts and behaviors that cause the anxiety. Through this therapy, people learn how to control their thoughts, overcome their fears, and become more comfortable in their own skin.

Acupuncture has been found to be helpful when other treatments have failed or are not available. It is an alternative form of treatment that uses needles to stimulate key points on the body that can help minimize effects of a certain medical issue or disorder. The treatment generally stimulates the flow of qi, which is considered a natural form of energy throughout the body used for healing and maintaining balance. By stimulating acupuncture points, it can help decrease physical pain and internal discomfort as well as reduce stress and anxiety in individuals with trypanophobia.

Self-help for trypanophobia involves a variety of methods to help you manage the anxiety and nervousness that occur when you are around needles. These techniques can be used by themselves or in conjunction with traditional treatments. They are always an option to consider.

Trypanophobia and Relationships

If your fear of needles is also affecting your relationships, try contacting a psychologist who has experience treating people with this condition. That way they can help you create a better understanding of how this fear affects your life, which might allow you to overcome it through counseling sessions and other treatments.

Coping Tools For Trypanophobia

There are some coping techniques that can help you cope with your trypanophobia. They can be used as a therapy aid or as a self-help technique. These are some of the most popular options:

Try to remember that the needles at doctors' offices and in hospitals are kept very clean. Even if they are not, this is still safer than the alternative of allowing an illness to go untreated in order to avoid them. Remind yourself that many people have medical issues and need injections on a regular basis. They do not get sick, so injecting you would be harmless.

Conclusion

If trypanophobia affects your everyday life in a significant way, you will be better off giving it some thought and discussing it with a mental health professional. There are many individuals who have overcome this phobia and found a way to live with and manage their condition. You can do the same thing.

Next: Panic Attacks 3 Symptoms Causes And Treatment

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References: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/human-mayhem/201108/panic-attacks-and-phobias https://www.psychologytoday.