How to overcome needle nerves

Let’s face it, needles aren’t fun for most people. But if your palms get sweaty, your heart races and you feel like fainting at the sight of a needle, you’re not alone. One in four people suffer from a fear of needles, sometimes called trypanophobia.

Whether it’s a blood test, vaccine or IV, the experience can be anxiety-inducing. But the good news is that there are proven ways to calm your nerves and manage needle nerves.

In this article, we’ll explore why you might have a fear of needles and how to keep calm before a blood test or injection.

Why are people afraid of needles?

There are lots of common reasons for having a needle phobia. It could be triggered by a negative past experience (especially in childhood), a fear of pain or loss of control or even feeling faint at the sight of blood.

Mind over needle: Tips to stay calm

We spoke to Elisha Randell and Ben Oattes, our Heads of Ultrasound Services at Ultrasound Direct. Elisha and Ben are highly qualified clinicians who have both trained clinical staff to perform thousands of blood tests, so they know how to help even the most nervous clients stay calm during appointments.

Here are Elisha and Ben’s top tips:

1.        Don’t forget to breathe: It might sound cliché, but deep breathing slows your heat rate and signals to your brain that you’re safe. Try it out the next time you’re feeling stressed – inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds then exhale for six seconds (repeat for a minute before your appointment).

2.        Use the art of distraction: Keep your mind busy and don’t think about the needle. Listen to music, make small talk with your phlebotomist or squeeze a stress ball to keep your hands busy.

3.        Don’t look! You probably weren’t going to anyway, but don’t feel embarrassed about turning away to look at a wall or something other than the needle. We would rather you looked away if you’re going to feel more comfortable.

4.        Tell your clinician: At the beginning of your appointment, it’s always a good idea to tell your clinician if you have a needle phobia, so they can take steps to help you feel more comfortable and reassure you. We deal with this all the time so don’t be afraid to tell us if you’re feeling nervous.

5.        Treat yourself: After your appointment plan something nice for yourself. This could be going to get coffee or talking a walk. Having something to look forward to can help your brain to associate needles with something more positive.

It’s important to remember: You’re not weak or irrational if you’re afraid of needles. It’s a common response that you can learn to manage over time. It’s always recommended to talk to your clinician if you’re feeling nervous and they can help to put you at ease. Hopefully these tips can help you at your next blood test appointment!