How to Deal with Injection Anxiety
I donโt know about you, but I used to HATE injections when I was younger. Needle phobia is real and itโs horrible. I would be so anxious when I went to have an injection and it would take a big effort from my mum and the nurse to actually get me to sit still to have it done. However, over the last few years, my fear has improved. These last few months particularly have seen various blood tests, injections and a few other procedures required to diagnose Crohnโs. Iโve now developed techniques and coping mechanisms for whenever I go to the doctorโs or the hospital. Here are my tips on how to deal with injection anxiety.
Breathe
When you panic about anything, your breathing tends to become faster and shallower, which isnโt good for you. Really try and focus on your breathing technique. Practising beforehand can help.
Donโt Look
I know that thinking about injections can be difficult and looking during the process wonโt help. If thereโs a window in the room, look outside and see whatโs happening, or focus on something else in the room.
Talk to Someone
An important thing is to tell someone how you feel. If you need to lie down, then donโt be afraid to say that. If you want to get some fresh air, say that. Know that you are not alone and lots of other people feel the same way about injections.
If youโre allowed, have a family member or friend come with you for moral support and talk to them or the nurse through the injection. Iโve rambled about blogging and university to a lot of nurses recently and it does help.
Have Something to Eat & Drink
Having injections, especially a blood test, can sometimes make you feel a bit faint. Make sure you have food & drink with you, or if not, ask the nurse or doctor performing your test for some. Iโve had my fair share of biscuits courtesy of the NHS! I honestly believe just thinking about food during a blood test has helped me anyway.
The Anticipation is Worse
An element of anxiety can be overthinking things and building them up in your head without really knowing what is going to happen. I know that used to be me with injections.
Iโve come to realise though that the anticipation is worse than the injection itself. When the nurse says โYou will experience a small, sharp scratchโ, thatโs really all it is and itโs over in a second. Youโre back home before you know it!
Thereโs a Reason Why Youโre Having It Done
If youโre having an injection or blood test, thereโs a reason that youโre having it done. Maybe itโs an injection to protect you from an illness or youโre worried about something and a blood test is done to check nothing is wrong.
Whatever it is, these tests are done to prevent something worse from happening. Therefore, when you have to have an injection, donโt think of it as a horrible event, think of it as a positive thing that is going to keep you healthier.
Pin for later
Do these tips help you know with how to deal with injection anxiety? Have you found any coping strategies that work for you?
Megan x
Letโs connect on social media:
Twitter เผ Instagram เผ Facebook เผ Pinterest
I used to be so nervous to have an injection of any kind. I remember having major anxiety over the ones we used to have at school. After my cancer diagnosis Iโm used to being a pin cushion and donโt mind needles at all. Great post lovely ?
Samantha | https://samanthajblogs.co.uk
Thank you Sam. Aw yes know what it feels like to be a pin cushion! X
This is an excellent article, offering practical advice for a surprisingly prevalent problem. I have spent a great deal of time in hospital (inpatient and outpatient) due to chronic illness and have witnessed the distress that needles frequently cause other patients: resistance, crying, even screaming… so sad. Would be great to share this advice through social media and even posters in ER’s and clinics!
Thank you for the lovely comment. I’d not thought of sharing it with clinics but I will look into it x
I can relate to this so much, but like you I’ve had to over come it because of my anorexia nervosa, and pituitary tumour. I’m required to have blood tests every other week for God knows how long.
I used to work myself up so much I would worry about it for days. But now I’ve just managed to incorporate some breathing, and have started telling the nurses that I need to lie down because I’m a fainter.
I don’t like it now but I don’t freak out like I used to.
Thank you for writing about this very real anxiety!
Best of luck with your recovery!
Great post! I’ve never been really anxious for an injection, but the last time was horrible. I almost fainted, but the doctor gave me something and that helped. And now I hate injections/blood tests haha
But I try not to think about it too much
Bettie
http://www.thewildflowerhippie.com
Aw no! Don’t let one time affect your overall view. It’s not very nice, but manageable when you find coping methods that work for you x
I have anxiety and have always been anxious having injections. All of the recommendations say to look away, but for me personally that makes things worse! I HAVE to look, otherwise I jump a mile high.
When I get anxious, I become hot. So I always make sure I wear clothes that wonโt make me feel like Iโm boiling when I have an injection.
We are all different, so you do what is right for you x
These are great tips for someone who is worried about having injections. Thank you for sharing! Xx
Glad you liked it x
My god I really hate injections! I’m glad I haven’t had any for a while now but they are horrible when I do get them. Sometimes I’ve even fainted after getting them it was that bad ๐
Shannon x
http://www.shanylou.co.uk
Aw no! If you do get faint, tell the doctor/nurse and have a lie down xx
I admit that I always get nervous every time I need to have injections (and this is one of the reasons I don’t want to donate blood ;A;) but I would always look away and think of something else and when it hurts I would let my body stay loose so that it won’t hurt more.
Thank you for sharing!
Yes, it’s important to make sure you relax as it won’t hurt as much!
I remember before I had the cervical cancer jab when I was only in year 8 I was very nervous, Iโd never had an injection before and I actually felt sick from the nerves. Once it was over it really wasnโt that bad but I still get the nervous feeling whenever I need to have anything done involving injections! X
Yes I had that in year 8 too! It’s the anticipation and nerves that’s worse than the injection itself x
These are such good tips that actually work! I had to have a blood test earlier in the week and thankfully the doctor just kept speaking to me the entire time and it all went fairly smoothly. I’ve had to get a lot of injections at the dentist so I’m not that bad with them anymore but I do always find myself getting nervous beforehand! Thanks for sharing Megan:)
Yes, it helps when you have someone talking to you! I’ve had a couple of fillings so am used to the dentist ones but still not fun x
This is such great advice Megan!
Iโm the worst when it comes to blood tests and always make sure that I eat beforehand and never look when itโs going on as Iโd end up passing out!
Love Lozza xo
http://girlygabble.com
Eating definitely helps x
I have diabetes so I’ve grown up with all kinds of needles being prodded into me so I’ve never been phased by things like blood tests and vaccines but I always find stuff like this interesting from the perspective of other people. These are great tips! I imagine not looking is hard though, I always stare when I get mine done ?X
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
It depends what it is. I stared at the screen the whole time during my colonoscopy!
I used to absolutely hate needles. I mean, really hate them, pure on panic attacks and crying hate them…and then I got pregnant and had to have shots ad blood draw so many times that I guess I desensitized myself to it. I still don’t like them but at least I don’t have panic attacks about them anymore! While I think there’s something to be said about doing it so much and just getting used to it I know that a lot of the tips you mentioned DID help me lessen my panic attacks before my reaction to it faded so these are really great and I’m sure they will help a lot of people!
Aw thank you! Good to hear that you are better with them now.
Interesting topic for a post! I hate needles, wouldn’t say I am scared of them but I do know people who are x
Thanks! Yeah I don’t like them but have got my anxiety under control now.
With me I’m the exact opposite on one thing – I HAVE to look when the needle goes in! I get more anxious and agitated when I don’t look, I like to know when it’s happening, I’m probably the only person who does this! xx
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Aw no that’s fine. We all have different methods for these things.
I’ve done so many blood tests in the last 10 years, just got used to it. I just don’t look. Thanks for sharing this.
Me too!
I have been lucky to never had injection anxiety. However, my sister had it really bad and thought she has gotten better she still absolutely hates getting any kind of needle. I, on the other hand, have a bit of a fascination with it and will watch them give the injection or draw blood. Only once has a nurse told me to look away because me watching made her too nervous to do it.
No way I’ve never had that before haha. It depends what it is, I don’t like blood so don’t tend to look!
All very good points! I used to have a fair few blood tests and now Iโm not so scared of them as Iโve found a way to not be so scared. I still get anxious as letโs be honest thereโs a needle going into your arm, but itโs all over pretty quickly and the nurses are usually lovely and supportive!
Isobel x
New post: https://www.fashionistachic.co.uk/2019/06/beauty-how-to-look-sunkissed-with-new.html?m=1
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/isobelceline/
New video: https://youtu.be/zotkVoPBSHc
So true! It’s over quickly though as you say x
Great tips! I’m Diabetic, Type 2 but I have to take 2 types of Insulin, which means 4 injections a day and Trulicity which I take once a week. I got over my injection anxiety really quickly, I had no choice lol ?
Sarah ? || Boxnip || Latest Post