Terrified of needles? Experts give tips on how to face your fears
Experts say overcoming a fear of needles is like climbing a ladder, you do it one rung at a time.
Talk of vaccinations has been everywhere the last few months and for some, the idea of getting the needle is overwhelming.
The president of Doctors Nova Scotia says in some cases, just the thought of the injection is the foundation of the phobia.
"It's not always the concept of pain that is problematic," Dr. Robyn MacQuarrie says.
However, there are some methods that can make the process a little more comfortable.
"Having headphones, looking away, not paying attention, trying to avoid looking at the needle, watching it being prepared," says McQuarrie.
MacQuarrie says desensitization can work for some, but showing someone videos of injections can have an undesirable effect.
"It needs to be done in the right way. Desensitization done poorly can actually make the phobia worse," says McQuarrie.
Statistic show one in 10 people have a needle phobia.
When dealing with youth and younger adults, familiarity can be a big help.
Mary-Beth Rowe is the COVID-19 clinic manager at the IWK hospital in Halifax.
Rowe says those who are administering the shot have been given some training on how to talk to the individual getting the needle.
There are also isolation areas within the clinic for those who want to use them.
"The COVID vaccine really isn’t any different than any other childhood vaccine that’s out there. The process is the same," says Rowe.
"Depending on the level of anxiety that the youth may have, we do have the ability that we could immunize them in an office so there is a little bit quieter environment."
Rowe recommends letting the person who is giving the needle know about the phobia and the potential reaction because overcoming the fear of the needle is a team effort.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.