How do I overcome my phobia of needles-- please read details. IMPORTANT?
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♥ I'm in college for medical assisting as well. We have not yet gotten to the "drawing blood" but I am deathly afraid of needles. I used to be the same way with needles... I suppose because they always had such a hard time getting blood from me... they had to take it from the side of my lower arm. When I first got into this medical assisting program I was so scared with everything hands on... now that we are going along and I've been in the program for a couple months its much easier now... and I'm actually anxious to draw blood. I know it may be hard to get over your phobia but you need your partner to take it slow with you... one day have her set everything up with you sitting down [[arm out and everthing]] but no blood being drawn... breathe and reassure yourself that its ok... the next day do that again... then the 3rd day have her put the band around your arm and wipe the area [[but no needle still]], try that for 2 days then move on and let her try the needle... you may not get over your phobia completely but it will help you get through the semester. :-) Good Luck!
The best way to overcome the fear is to seek more of it. The more training you do, the more you will bed used to seeing them and maybe using them.
Ok, my daughter actually FAINTED when she had to get a needle--she is now a RICU nurse with a BSRN!! You have to disassociate yourself from what you are doing- meaning, whatever it takes you mentally to put your mind somewhere else and believe that what is happening you are just going through the motions to make it less realistic, do it....the only other thought on it would be to be hypnotized not to be scared of needles..a bit drastic.
Let me know when you figure this one out I am a 25 year old man... I could cut my finger down to the bone(which I have) and not even flinch just wrap it and keep on doing what I am doing...bring a needle near me and I am on the verge of passing out I freak out at the sight of a needle.
If you want it bad enough you have to "suck it up"! I went through PCI for medical assisting as well. It's all part of it! It's not so bad but I understand when you don't know how it's scary to let a "novice" try their first "stick" on you. Just look away for the ENTIRE process and close your eyes or just lay your head down over the other arm. You don't have to watch them do you as long as you are watching what you are doing when it's your turn to do them! OK? Good Luck to you!
A very common fear/phobia to have--actually it's an entire "type" of specific phobia (in addition to animal, environmental, situational, and other types). Believe it or not, this is actually a fairly easy problem to treat. The key is "treat." You'll want to see a licensed psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders (your best bet is to check out your local universities...they may even be conducting a study and treat you for free!). Treatment can be provided in as little as 3 hours for most people, or maybe as long as 5-10 sessions for others. There are different treatment formats and you and your psychologist should choose which one is right for you. There are also some specific treatments you'll want to look into. If they're not doing "exposure," "muscle tension," and "cognitive-behavioral therapy" then stay away! Hypnosis, life coaching, talking for hours on end about nothing...none of that is going to help and is only going to rip you off!
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