If you are someone who becomes overwhelmed with anxiety at the slight thought that you’ll need to get an injection at one of the many South African medical facilities – you are not the only one.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that several people are living with the exact same fear, which in the past has resulted in them declining medical treatment such as the COVID-19 vaccine or even assisting others by donating blood.
Those who suffer from this fear include children, adults, people with mental disorders, as well as those with disabilities.
“Estimates show that as many as 2 in 3 children and 1 in 4 adults have strong fears around needles. As many as 1 in 10 people might delay the COVID-19 vaccine due to these fears,” explained the above-mentioned source.
The medical term for the fear of needles is called trypanophobia. This is believed to be an intense fear of needles.
Meanwhile, according to the expert medical publication, WebMD, this fear can have serious effects on the individual. This results in panic attacks, nausea, heart palpitations as well as fainting.
However, there are ways to overcome this fear.
Expert medical publication Cleveland Clinic provided a list of tips that will help:
- Avoid looking at the needle stick or the needle itself.
- Ask a close friend or family member to come along for support whenever you have medical appointments.
- Inform the person giving the injection or drawing blood that you have a fear of needles.
- Distract yourself by looking at pictures on the wall or starting a conversation.
- If necessary, request a numbing spray or pain relief ointment ahead of the injection.
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