Having a vaccine against COVID-19 is one of the safest ways to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. But Americans find it more challenging to get vaccinated because of the fear of needles.
ST HELENS, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 18: A nurse draws the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine into a hypodermic needle Totally Wicked Stadium home of St Helen's rugby club, one of the new mass vaccination centers opened today on January 18, 2021, in St Helens, United Kingdom. Ten new mass vaccination centers will start administering covid-19 vaccines in England this week, joining seven existing "hubs," as well as the hospitals and GP practices enlisted in the nationwide effort to give 15 million people the first dose by February 15.
A 2018 University of Michigan study published in the journal Advanced Nursing showed fear of needles in most kids and 20 to 50 percent of teens and 20 to 30 percent of young adults.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that 16 percent of adult patients, 27 percent of hospital nurses, 18 percent of employees at long-term care facilities, and 8 percent of health care workers at hospitals cited refusing flu shots due to needle anxiety phobias.
You might be happy to overcome your fear on your own if you are one of them.
Will you cope on your own with the fear?
The process can be painful for needle-phobic individuals who get vaccines despite their fears. Dizziness, feeling faint, insomnia, sweating, muscle tension, and increased vigilance are typical symptoms.
Dr. Jeffrey Geller, president of the American Psychiatric Association and a psychology professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, told CNN that people with a relatively mild fear of needles would be able to cope with their anxiety.
How? Through performing calming methods on their own. Geller said that one could be taught several meditation techniques. These techniques involve both yoga and meditation as valuable activities.
Also, entertaining yourself will work. Counting things, doodling, thinking about positive thoughts, and imagining a safe, soothing place in your world will turn your mind away from the terrifying occurrence.
Or, Geller said, you could invite a trustworthy friend or family member to join you even if they can't accompany you to the procedure room all the way. Come to the treatment with a safe system, he stated. Geller added that it would improve your coping mechanism by practicing calming strategies with your support person.
Why is it appropriate to deal with your needle phobia right now?
Sam Nabil, CEO and lead therapist of Naya Clinics, told Healthline that fear of the role of needles in the acceptance of vaccines is sometimes ignored.
He added that anxiety presents great dangers to many individuals as the disease's consequence inevitably leads to avoiding proper medical treatment when needed most.
For example, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey released in December showed that 27 percent of U.S. adults said they would possibly or definitely not get COVID-19 vaccinated because of fear of needles.
Nabil said, phobias do not just go away magically when you want them to, particularly if catered for a prolonged time. The everyday anxieties and other symptoms of the condition would also be felt by those with such anxiety since they would have their daily flu shots.
He said it was an internal and unintentional emotional and mental struggle. Nabil said that allowing stronger reasons to be injected would assist in their motivation to confront their fears. During the entire phobic experience, however, it will have very little effect on their responses," he said.
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