“Needlephobia” is in my inbox a bit this week. It’s actually a common question. And though most of the questions were about children, it also affects many adults.
Is it normal to dislike needles? Absolutely.
When is it a problem? In an adult, when it directly impacts on health to the point that someone avoids or does not attend a doctor when they are injured, sick, or need preventative healthcare (like a cholesterol check). In children, crying or being hesitant is absolutely normal. When the fear is to such a degree that necessary healthcare becomes impossible or just incredibly distressing for child and caregiver.
It’s worth talking about because even if a short-term solution – such as delaying vaccination or a cholesterol check – works for a while, we all will need healthcare again in the future at some point. So, a longer term strategy is usually needed.
So, what works? Here are general Top Tips, keeping in mind that not every approach is right for every situation:
• This is the big one: Avoid passing on your fear. This is hard. If you can’t look, that’s fine. It’s really common, honestly. Turn your face away quietly rather than “Ooh, I hate this part. Mammy can’t look!” That goes for peers and partners, too.
• Avoid referring to shots or needles as a threat (“you’ll need to get a shot at the doctor if you don’t take your medicine”)
• Let them know it’s okay to be nervous and let them express being nervous. Don’t make them feel bad about their fear. (“Only babies are afraid of jabs”)
• Show lots of love and understanding. Don’t dismiss your child’s (or partner’s) feelings. Let them know you’ve heard them and are listening. (“It’s okay to be scared. I promise it won’t be that bad and over really fast.) Let your child bring a comfort object.
• Avoid over-avoidance: They more you make an effort to avoid the situation, your child picks up that this is something to be feared.
• Education: My absolute favourite resource for this are BBC YouTube videos by Dr. Raj. Look for “How Do Injections Help You” and “Just a Small Shot” There are many, many books available – for free – in your local library to help prepare children for visits to their GP or hospital. You can also look for social stories that help explain injections. These are available through various online resources, especially for those that support those with special needs. The HSE did one for the Covid-19 vaccine in particular.
• “Buzzy” is a vibrating ice pack that is a child-friendly (and also works for adults!) device (comes in bee, ladybird, and a plain black for adults) that allows for almost pain-free injections. They aren’t as widely used as they could be here in Ireland. Fun fact: you can just order your own online, even if your hospital, clinic, or GP doesn’t use them. It’s relatively expensive (will set you back around GB£40) but reusable.
• Lastly – if the level of fear is causing distress and disrupting your child’s necessary healthcare, talk to your GP for a referral for professional play therapy.
What works in our house? Occasionally, being a doctor-mammy does help (not always, I promise). So, most of the above have been used regularly. And rewards. And by that I do mean frank bribery. Slice of chocolate cake at the coffee shop next to the GP was a pre-pandemic favourite for T. He opened negotiations ahead of his Covid vaccine this week – reminding me that he already got his MMR this year and will have to get 2 doses of Pfizer – asking for a Happy Meal. He considered the Happy Meal yesterday (a rarely seen treat in our home) a fair trade.
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