Trypanophobia is defined as an intense fear of needles. Specifically, people with trypanophobia fear needles in medical settings. They may avoid vaccinations, blood draws or intravenous (IV) fluids. Although the level of fear and anxiety varies from person to person, fear of needles can have a major impact on life.
First, it is important to know that not everyone who is afraid of needles is needle phobic. Fears and phobias are different. Fears are something that each person has to deal with. Phobias are technically an anxiety disorder that presents much more extreme symptoms and feelings.
Needle phobia is a type of specific phobia. Intense trypanophobia can affect a person's life. This phobia can manifest itself when a person develops an exaggerated sense of danger towards a situation or an object. They may feel anxious or triggered just thinking about a needle, or have a panic attack every time they see or touch a needle.
What Causes Trypanophobia?
There is no proven cause for phobias, but it is believed that phobias can come from a traumatic event or learned behaviors from childhood. However, some people also believe that fear of needles can be genetic and therefore inborn. The causes of trypanophobia can be listed as follows;
- Hypersensitivity to pain
- Fear of restraint, which can be triggered when receiving an injection
- Negative or traumatic memories triggered by seeing needles
- Fainting at the sight or touch of a needle
What are the Symptoms of Trypanophobia?
People with trypanophobia experience intense anxiety when they see or think about a procedure involving needles. Sometimes this anxiety is so severe that it is debilitating. It can lead to a panic attack (a sudden feeling of anxiety that causes physical symptoms). Fear of needles can cause people to avoid medical care. Apart from a common fear of needles, some specific symptoms may include
- Panic attacks
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Fainting
How is Trypanophobia Diagnosed?
Needle phobia is a specific type of phobic disorder in the DSM, the blood-injection-injury type. A specialist can diagnose trypanophobia if intense fear or anxiety is experienced when a needle is seen or needed. To assess the severity of the fear of needles, the specialist may want to know how long the person has been afraid of needles and how long the symptoms last.
How is trypanophobia treated?
There are many ways to treat trypanophobia. It may be necessary to try more than one strategy to reduce the symptoms of trypanophobia;
- Distract your mind with positive thoughts while the needle is being inserted.
- Tell the person administering the needle that you have a phobia.
- Ask the doctor or health professional to numb you before or during the needle stick so that the sensation is less.
- Look away while you are being injected.
- Learn breathing and relaxation techniques before you go to your appointment.
- If you have a history of fainting before getting a vaccination or blood test, share this with the specialist.
In addition to these techniques, you may also need to consult a mental health professional. Consulting a specialist can help you overcome your phobia and take a lot of pressure off you. This is the case if you have a physical reaction to the sight, feel or idea of needles, such as fainting.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): A unique type of therapy that helps you reshape your thinking and develop new, more helpful ways to cope with difficult emotions.
Exposure therapy: This is an effective therapeutic style specifically designed for phobias. It involves slow exposure to needles over a period of several weeks or a set period of time. This method should be carried out under expert supervision.
Medication: Depending on your state of health, the specialist may also prescribe anti-anxiety or sedative medication.