With COVID-19 vaccinations in Jamaica now under way, and a return to normalcy in sight, for many people the only thing standing in the way of them receiving the COVID-19 vaccine jab is a primal fear of needles, known as trypanophobia.

This fear of needles is a commonly held phobia, whereby individuals are extremely fearful of medical procedures involving injections or hypodermic needles.

Though generally more prevalent in children, who may overcome this fear with age, trypanophobia can continue to affect individuals long after they have become adults.

According to a 2018 University of Michigan study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, a majority of children, as well as 20 to 50 per cent of adolescents and 20 to 30 per cent of young adults, exhibited a fear of needles.

While the reason behind one’s fear of needles can be difficult to explain, research indicates that for most individuals who suffer from trypanophobia, it is due to a fear of the pain and foreign sensation of something metallic and sharp touching the skin, or as a result of past traumatic experiences with needles at an early age.

WHAT DOES THE FEAR OF NEEDLES LOOK LIKE?

The fear of needles can present or manifest in one of three ways:

1. A Vasovagal reflex reaction – Where a person may faint or go into convulsions during or after a needle procedure.
2. Classic phobia – The result of enduring a previously traumatic event. Symptoms may include: anxiety, nausea or difficulty breathing in the presence of needles.
3. Hypersensitivity to the pain caused by a needle – The skin’s surface may become extremely sensitive, making procedures that involve needles very uncomfortable.

WAYS TO OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF NEEDLES

Whether the fear is keeping you from taking the COVID-19 vaccine or is a nagging source of distress in your life, experts say it is one that can be overcome.

Steps to overcome trypanophobia often include:

1. Seeking professional help to conquer the phobia – Seeing a therapist can generally help people overcome the worst of fears, as they are more familiar with and can utilize proven techniques that have shown results in allaying the fears of people with other phobias.
2. Forewarning the nurse of your fear prior to getting the shot – The healthcare professional administering the shot, is likely well aware of what strategies to employ when dealing with someone who suffers from trypanophobia. As a result, if you notify them beforehand their may be techniques or products, they can utilize to reduce possible pain, address your anxiety or exercise more patience.
3. Remind yourself of the benefits – As someone who fears needles, there is no way you would be receiving this shot unless it were absolutely necessary. If you’re taking the COVID-19 vaccine, remind yourself of all the fun activities you’ll be able to return to doing once we’ve all been vaccinated and the Covid pandemic is behind us.
4. Have your Doctor prescribe some anxiety medication ahead of your appointment – If your anxiety to take the shot is likely to have you running out of the vaccination centre the minute you sit down to receive your shot, ask your Doctor to prescribe some anxiety medication you can take before your appointment to reduce your fear of getting the jab.
5. Find a way to distract yourself – There’s no rule that says you need to watch as your jab is administered. Find a way to keep your mind off the procedure, even if that means closing your eyes and counting sheep