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What are the ways to overcome the fear of needles?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am quite afraid of needles. I get anxious even thinking about blood tests. I fainted once while taking blood test. Please suggest me to overcome fear. I have to get blood tests done but I am extremely anxious.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Needle phobia is quite common and it has different types like vasovagal syncope attack which you have encountered earlier. You can try local anesthetic cream when a needle is to be inserted so that pain associated with needle prick is not felt. Beta blockers can also be tried as these drugs decrease the likelihood of vasovagal syncope. A psychotherapy called CBT is also effective. In this, a systematic desensitization is done and maladaptive emotion and thought are challenged and corrected.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At September 28, 2017
Reviewed AtSeptember 12, 2023

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