It is probably one of the most common questions we receive, “I’m afraid of needles, will this hurt?” If you have a fear of needles, you’re not alone! It has been reported that at least 20 percent of people claim they have a fear of needles. People who suffer from this fear can experience heart palpitations, dizziness, anxiety, panic attacks, and fainting. The phobia can become so pronounced in fact, it can even cause some people to avoid medical treatment entirely, even for serious aliments.
The benefits of IV Hydration Therapy are so great that we have put together this step-by-step guide to help you conquer your fear!
Step 1: Change the way you think
One of the first steps in overcoming any fear is to focus on changing your mindset. If you think, “Needles are awful,” or “I’m so scared of needles,” these thoughts reemphasize that idea. Instead, it can be more effective to think, “this might hurt for a second, but it will protect my health and leave me feeling great later on.” It can also be helpful for people to write down their fears and irrational thoughts about needles on a piece of paper. On a separate sheet of paper or in another column, write down sensible or more rational thoughts. Here’s how it could look: Irrational: Sensible: “Injections are the worst!” “It hurts but keeps me healthy” “I can’t cope with needles” “I am afraid, but I can overcome it.”
Step 2: Start Small
Baby steps are one of the best ways to start conquering a fear. Start small, with just pictures or images of what triggers your fear. Find about 20 pictures of what scares you, people getting an IV or getting a vaccination. Sit down and really look at each picture. You may also want to rate each picture on a scale of 1 to 10 with 0 being no fear to 10 being terrified. As you look at the pictures notice your irrational thoughts and try to begin to change them into more rational thoughts. Breathe slowly and deeply and take your time. If you practice and find your anxiety lessening as you move through pictures try working your way up to videos next. Use the same techniques to work through the videos as you did with the pictures.Step 3: Let your imagination run wild
Before you even have to face the real thing try using your imagination to think about situations where you’d encounter needles. Picture yourself getting a flu shot, then maybe work your way up to getting blood drawn or getting an IV. Breathe slowly and use your sensible/rational thoughts that you wrote down back in step 1.Step 4: Talk with a healthcare provider
Part of conquering your fear needs to be talking about your fear. Communicate your concerns with your doctor or nurse. They are professionals who can help put your mind at ease, distract you, offer alternative solutions, and help you cope with the process. This is a great time to ask your healthcare provider to show you a needle, but not give you an actual injection. This is called a de-conditioning exercise, and they help you get more comfortable with what makes you decidedly uncomfortable!
