Advice for getting over a phobia

[Apple In My Pie]

(Not here to start any vaccine debates!)

When I was a little girl I was in hospital often and had some really traumatic experiences when it comes to anything involving injections, needles, vaccines, taking blood etc. It makes having vaccines really tough. It isn’t necessarily the pain of the vaccine/needle itself but everything else - the smell of the antiseptic especially the situation, being held down to be injected… it makes me panic, hyperventilate to the point of where it is unsafe to inject me... my doctor has even given in and let me have the children’s nasal spray flu vaccine instead as it’s easier/safer for me — although that still makes me panicky too but on a much smaller scale. Even going into certain shops is tough for me if they have a certain antiseptic hand gel because the smell of it makes me panic.

The thing is at my big old age I find it really embarrassing, I just want to get it over with and wish I could! i have underlying conditions which mean I probably should, for example, get my COVID vaccination as I’m really worried of getting unwell (and also worried about not being allowed into places without the vaccine!) but I literally have no idea how I’m going to get through it. I did try and work up the courage to get the vaccine but had nightmares about it for days literally waking up in a cold sweat

Does anyone have any advice on how to make it more comfortable for me and just get it over with?

Thank you all x

 

[dancingqueen5678]

If the smell of it is what is causing the problem I would really recommend some counselling or therapy. It sounds more like PTSD than a phobia

 

[WeepingCassandra]

I think you definitely need some professional help with reactions that strong. I empathise with you, my OH is terrified of needles and always has been too. It’s a really hard one to get over but it can be done x

 

[Suzesnooze]

I doubt you'll smell any antiseptic getting the covid vaccine as I certainly didn't smell anything like that where I had mine? The jab is also over really quickly but I understand your phobia as my son had a traumatic experience in hospital when he was young and it really put him off. Even if he saw a hospital programme on TV, he had to leave the room. However, he did have his vaccine and was OK with it (also I think because he couldn't see them giving the vaccine as it's in your upper arm, not like when they take blood from your vein).

My friend works at a vaccine centre and they're really good about dealing with people who have phobias etc so if you make an appointment and go, just tell them you have a phobia and they will ease your mind hopefully?

 

[dancingqueen5678]

I doubt you'll smell any antiseptic getting the covid vaccine as I certainly didn't smell anything like that where I had mine? The jab is also over really quickly but I understand your phobia as my son had a traumatic experience in hospital when he was young and it really put him off. Even if he saw a hospital programme on TV, he had to leave the room. However, he did have his vaccine and was OK with it (also I think because he couldn't see them giving the vaccine as it's in your upper arm, not like when they take blood from your vein).

My friend works at a vaccine centre and they're really good about dealing with people who have phobias etc so if you make an appointment and go, just tell them you have a phobia and they will ease your mind hopefully?

I second this. They were fab in mine. I don't have a fear of needles but I struggle with invasive procedures due to CPTSD and when I sat down and realised they gave it in front of everyone I had to tell them that I would likely faint, so they moved me to a bed around the corner with a screen.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

You absolutely need professional help to deal with this phobia. CBT, hypnosis, counselling etc

in the short term for the covid vaccine could a nurse come to your home to do it? Or could you attend a drive through clinic or similar to avoid the clinical setting of a surgery or hospital?