The biomedical laboratory scientist's advice for those with a fear of injections
How do you deal with anxiety if you are afraid of being stung by a syringe? The biomedical laboratory technicians know advice.
Many people are afraid of injections and stings. A survey Norstat conducted for NITO in the summer of 2023 shows that 13 percent of all respondents state that they have a fear of injections, while more than 1 in 4 young people under 30 do not seek health care because of this. This is worrying.
Getting vaccinated is important, both for one's own and others' disease prevention, and blood tests are sometimes necessary to detect acute illness or follow up chronic diseases/conditions.
Many people avoid dental visits, vaccinations and examinations with their GP because they are afraid of needles. Some will therefore become seriously ill before it is discovered.
Also read: Young people skip doctor's appointments and vaccines due to fear of injections
Many who do not want to be stung
Mia Helen Hansen Hjelle, chair of NITO BFI's advisory committee for pre-analysis, point-of-care analysis and self-testing (pictured), has first-hand experience with people who are anxious about taking a blood sample or injection.
In the outpatient clinic at Haukeland University Hospital where I work, we constantly meet people who are reluctant to be stung. Most often it is not that serious and many are quickly reassured because it goes more painlessly than they imagined," says Hjelle. It will often be biomedical laboratory technicians and other health personnel who are closest to the daily situations with people who are anxious about needles and needles.
Biomedical laboratory technician Mia's advice for those who have injection anxiety
- Tell healthcare professionals you meet that you are afraid, even if you are an adult. This is not uncommon. If you are open about your fears, it is much easier for us to adapt the situation so that you have a good experience.
- Give yourself support and care, rather than criticism. Breathe with your stomach. Support me as a healthcare professional. Together we will make you master the situation.
- Tell us what's best for you. Whether you want to sit, lie down, whether I should explain or just talk about the weather.
- Seek treatment for your anxiety if it allows you to avoid situations where you avoid blood tests, vaccines or medical treatment. Feel free to tell someone you trust about the problem. Get your own cheerleader.
Fear of injections is a widespread problem
Elin Fjerstad, specialist in psychology at the Unit for Mental Health Services in Somatics at Diakonhjemmet Hospital in Oslo (pictured), treats patients with syringe phobia and refusal to inject.
- Unfortunately, fear of injections is a widespread problem and can be triggered by traumatic experiences in connection with stings, or that you have witnessed someone fainting during vaccination, for example, says Fjerstad.
Heredity also seems to be more prevalent for syringe phobia than for other phobias. And the phobia is maintained by avoiding what one is afraid of, namely taking injections, and by catastrophic thoughts, thoughts of painful and dramatic things that can happen, so-called worst-case thoughts.
Seek professional help
At Diakonhjemmet Hospital, where I work on a daily basis, we have made a self-help note. The hope is that it can be of use to those who struggle with a fear of injections.
Download: Self-help note for those with syringe and blood phobia
Through exposure training, practicing being in situations associated with anxiety, we communicate to the brain that "this is not dangerous". Repeated experiences that things are going well will turn down the "on-call preparedness" and the anxiety will gradually decrease, she says.
If the syringe phobia is so severe that vaccination or other medical treatment is avoided, the psychologist specialist recommends seeking professional help. Then you will be able to map the catastrophic thoughts and avoidance strategies together with a therapist and make a plan for gradual exposure.
- Some people have experienced fainting when taking a blood test, especially those who have a blood phobia. Then it can be useful with body tension techniques to increase your own blood pressure, says the psychologist specialist.
- In addition, there are more people who feel better just by having knowledge about anxiety, what happens in the body and what maintains anxiety. For example, it is important to know that anxiety is the body's inherited ability to protect us, without the ability to feel anxiety we would actually not be able to survive," she concludes.
As a NITO member, you always have quick access to a nurse and doctor over the phone or video, 365 days a year. Tryg Medical Assistance is free of charge, and can also be used by members' spouses/cohabitants, and children who belong to the household.
