Trypanophobia is the extreme fear of medical procedures involving injections or hypodermic needles.
For some people, however, this fear can remain extreme and distressing during adulthood.
Symptoms of Trypanophobia
If you have trypanophobia, you may dread receiving medical care, particularly injections.
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At the time of the event, your blood pressure may rapidly drop and you may even faint.
In some cases, these feelings of anxiety can become so severe that a person experiences apanic attack.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
How Is Trypanophobia Diagnosed?
What Causes Someone to Be Afraid of Needles?
Scientists are still unsure precisely what causes needle phobia.
Like other specific phobias, a number of different factors may play a role.
Some factors that may contribute to trypanophobia include:
What Is the Impact of Trypanophobia?
People may avoid visiting the doctor or dentist so they don’t have to have any injections.
In extreme cases, a person with this phobia may refuse to receive even routine checkups.
How Is the Fear of Needles Treated?
Through techniques such assystematic desensitization, you’ve got the option to gradually learn to tolerate needles.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be highly effective in treating trypanophobia.
Some experts have also found success usinghypnotherapywith their patients.
Benzodiazepines can be in the short term to relieve acute anxiety symptoms.
For instance, jet injection forces medication through the skin using high pressure.
There are ways of testing blood sugar and performing other needed medical tests without needles.
You may also findmeditationandmindfulnesspractices helpful.
When you do have to have some punch in of injection, distraction can also be a helpful technique.
Try distracting yourself by listening to music or talking to another person during the procedure.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed.
Washington, DC; 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Jenkins K.II.
