needle phobia<\/strong><\/a>,\u2019 is very common. Around 10% of Americans experience the same fear, and it often stems from blood tests at a young age. It can often manifest as a fear of pointy objects generally. While this isn\u2019t too debilitating in everyday life, it makes medical testing awkward and stressful.<\/p>\nHowever, there are plenty of ways that you can navigate your way around a fear of needles. It needn\u2019t stop you from having a blood test done. Contrary to what you might think, a blood test doesn\u2019t need to be painful or stressful. Even if you normally do, you won\u2019t pass out or become anxious if the procedure is managed properly. Let\u2019s take a look at a few ways that you can work around a fear of needles.<\/p>\n
Ask About Local Anesthetic<\/h3>\n
If the pain of an injection is what you\u2019re afraid of, then local anesthetic can help. A local anesthetic numbs the area that it\u2019s applied to, unlike general anesthetic, which knocks you out cold. Certain anesthetics are strong enough that they can penetrate deep below the skin. These kinds make blood tests entirely painless.<\/p>\n
One common anesthetic is EMLA, a mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine. EMLA is a prescription cream that the doctor will rub on the surface of your skin. It is much stronger than numbing creams that you can get over the counter. If you use it, all you\u2019ll have to do it look away\u2014you won\u2019t feel a thing.<\/p>\n
If EMLA isn\u2019t available, you do have other options. Iontophoresis is a method of anesthesia which involves an electric current. It uses similar chemical substances, but the anesthetic is spread by use of the current. It acts quickly and effectively but isn\u2019t widely available. Lidocaine patches like Synera <\/em>are common, though, and should be available.<\/p>\nA local anesthetic is normally available on insurance, while general anesthetic is not.<\/p>\n
Manage Your Stress<\/h3>\n
Stress management is incredibly important if you have a fear of needles. It can be the difference between getting through the procedure comfortably, or not being able to have your blood drawn at all. Fortunately, it\u2019s easy to manage your stress all on your own.<\/p>\n
Consider trying the following methods:<\/p>\n
\n- Take control of your breathing. <\/strong>Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, slowly and gently. Focusing on the process of breathing in a cycle like this one can stop your mind from wandering. It also holds panic attacks at bay, which are characterized by short\/sharp breaths.<\/li>\n
- Meditate on a phrase. <\/strong>Buddhist meditation typically involves repetition of a sound or phrase. Again, this can help to focus the mind. With your mind focused on something other than needles, you\u2019ll find it much easier to get through the test.<\/li>\n
- Learn more about blood tests. <\/strong>Knowledge is power, and the more understanding you have, the less you can worry. A fear of needles can lead to a vicious circle: the fear may mean that you never go through a blood test, which you consequently never learn about the experience. That lack of experience, a fear of the unknown, can make a blood test seem even scarier. Learn more about what happens during a blood test to overcome your fear.<\/li>\n
- Adopt a positive mental attitude. <\/strong>A positive mental attitude is simple: tell yourself that you can handle a blood test, no matter what happens. Ask yourself, \u201cWhat\u2019s the worst that could happen?\u201d Remind yourself that it\u2019ll be over within a few minutes. Simply adopting a positive viewpoint can make the test much less stressful.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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It is also possible to manage stress using medication. Medication isn\u2019t necessary if you can learn how to manage stress yourself. If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, however, it might be your best option.<\/p>\n
Therapy<\/h3>\n
If you only need one blood test, then therapy\u2014of course\u2014isn\u2019t necessary. But if you need regular blood tests or regular injections for a condition like diabetes, then therapy could help. The point is to help you feel stronger and more capable of tackling your fear. Contrary to popular belief, \u2018therapy\u2019 is not just sitting on a couch and talking about your problems. There are several methods and ones that work for some but not others. In no particular order:<\/p>\n
\n- Cognitive behavioral therapy <\/strong>is a specific kind of therapy which involves managing the way you think and behave. The therapist helps you to understand how your thoughts affect both your feelings and your actions. Since you can control the way that you think, CBT can, therefore, make you feel better. It\u2019s commonly used for tackling the feelings of anxiety related to phobias.<\/li>\n
- Exposure therapy <\/strong>is exactly what it sounds like. Your therapist gradually introduces you to something that you\u2019re afraid of. This could be anything that causes a phobia: the outdoors, clowns, doctors or needles. The therapy takes place in a controlled and safe setting, one in which you\u2019re comfortable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That being said, there\u2019s little point going through the time and effort of therapy for one blood test. But as we mentioned above, if you need regular blood tests, therapy could be for you.<\/p>\n
Distract Yourself<\/h3>\n
Do you feel nervous in the run-up to your blood test, no matter how much you prepare? If so, your best option is to distract yourself. There\u2019s no shame in simply training your attention on something else. Don\u2019t allow yourself to hyper-focus on the idea of needles or pain. Simply distract yourself, with something like:<\/p>\n
\n- Watching movies or TV, or listening to the radio<\/li>\n
- Going out of an evening and doing something fun<\/li>\n
- Talking with people about things other than needles and blood tests<\/li>\n
- Spending extra time on your hobbies before your test<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
By distracting yourself, you can while away the time before the test. A big part of a fear of needles is the anticipation. You sit and think: worrying about what could go wrong. By the time the actual test rolls around, you\u2019ve made the test a bigger problem than it needs to be. Distracting yourself with something fun can help you avoid that issue.<\/p>\n
What If Blood Test Results are Bad?<\/h4>\n
Part of your fear might hinge on the idea that your results will be negative. You might find out that there\u2019s something wrong; something serious like cancer or diabetes. This is a completely understandable worry, but avoiding a blood test is an irrational decision. It\u2019s much better to get the test out of the way and find out if there\u2019s a problem.<\/p>\n
That being said, it\u2019s best to be prepared. Bad blood test results may indicate:<\/p>\n
\n- PSA\/prostate cancer<\/li>\n
- Diabetes<\/li>\n
- Anemia<\/li>\n
- Liver problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can expect the results of your blood test about 24 hours after the test is taken. However, in certain cases, it can take days or weeks. The results are sent directly back to your healthcare provider, who will then call you in to talk. They can then either break bad news or share the good news, depending on the results.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve read this far, you\u2019re probably thinking: \u201cHow on earth can I do all of that<\/em>? There\u2019s so much to do that I don\u2019t know where to start!\u201d It\u2019s understandable. But by far the best advice you can take is that of your doctor.<\/p>\nThink back: what did they tell you to do in preparation for your test? If you\u2019re not sure, make a quick call to ask and find out. They\u2019ll be able to tell you if there are any special requirements. The best thing to do is to take precautions anyway: fast for at least eight hours before your test, drink ample water and avoid stimulating or diuretic drinks.<\/p>\n
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