Ten tips to overcome your fear of needles

With trembling knees and a lump sky-high in my throat, I walked into the clinic. Alone. For the first time. Now I could think of something very exciting, but the reason I walked into the clinic was exciting enough for me. For the first time in thirty-one years, I was going to get blood drawn alone. Now you might call me a bit crazy, but I'm certainly not the only one who would rather marathon run than have to fill a few vials.

 
Okay, the number isn't very large, but it's estimated that 1 percent of the Dutch population is so afraid of a needle that, whatever the consequence may be, they absolutely won't let a needle come near them. Now, there is a big difference between being afraid and having a real phobia. A needle phobia develops at a young age and isn't something you can just get rid of. And if you never have to get pricked, there's nothing wrong, but if you want to go further than a week on the Zeeland coast, unfortunately, you can't escape the beast. If you're like me, a huge coward when it comes to needles, then here are ten tips you can work with next time:

1. Express your emotions

Express your emotions before you step into the hospital or the GGD. Write, dance, or sing it off. If you don't do that, you'll bottle it up, and there's a good chance it will come out double and harsh when you're sitting in the waiting room. You don't want that.

2. Stay positive

Think of something fun, for example, what you're going to do this weekend. By only focusing on what's going to happen, you create your own horror movie. If the images in your head are positive, good, and calm, you will also feel positive, good, and calm. Simple as that.

3. Apply cream

Apply the area with Emla cream an hour before the hell breaks loose. You can get this numbing cream at the pharmacy, and it ensures that you really feel nothing during that tiny little prick.

4. Focus on yourself

Do a relaxation exercise while you're in the waiting room. Focus on your breathing so that you stay close to yourself and are not swept away by all the impressions happening around you. Because believe me, the guy on the right is also not here for his pleasure.

5. Don't go alone

Look at your partner, your mother, or your colleague or friend sweetly so that you don't have to plop down in the chair alone. The chances are high that they are also not fans of white coats and sterile rooms.

6. Share your fear

Let the nurse know that you are afraid. Sharing your emotions often ensures that half of all the tension falls off your shoulders.

7. Find distraction

If possible, engage in a conversation with the person who is going to prick you and focus on an item in the room (like a painting, a plant, or a clock). Bring your breathing low into your abdomen and focus on that. This works relaxing and ensures that you completely forget about that prick.

8. Relax

Once the band-aid is on, stay seated (or lying down) for a moment so you can recover. The chances are high that otherwise, you might faint, not from the pain, but from the tension.

9. Reward yourself!

Be proud of yourself. So stop by the bakery for that favorite muffin, that intensely delicious piece of apple pie, or that freshly baked croissant. I mean, you survived it.

10. Therapy

Have you tried all the previous nine points and still can't get over your fear? Do you prefer to spend your whole life vacationing within a radius of 500 km² because you are so afraid of needles? Then you might need to take more serious steps. For a long-term solution, you can get hypnotized or go into therapy. But uh Vlieland is also beautiful, you know, friend... Right, Marion?