Needle phobia
A person’s willingness to seek medical attention may be compromised if they fear injections. In severe cases needle phobia can cause a person to faint at the sight of a health professional advancing with the intention of either taking blood or giving a drug by injection.
Case history
A forty five year old man presented at a clinic requiring a mandatory blood test for a pre employment medical to work in a Gulf state. He was extremely anxious about having a sample of his blood taken. When the doctor approached him to complete the test the patient reacted by lifting his leg to prevent the doctor coming any closer. Instant hypnosis, with the patient’s permission, achieved a sufficient level of relaxation to allow the blood sample to be taken.
Techniques used to resolve this condition
Short term measures, such as that used in the above case history, can be used to temporarily overcome this phobia if it is necessary to have some form of investigation or treatment. However, more effective long term results, to eliminate the phobia, can be achieved by regressing the patient to the first experience of anxiety relating to the use of a needle and assigning that event to ‘ancient history’. Encouraging the patient to confidently believe that any future use of a needle will be panic free is usually effective.
Outcomes and Benefits of hypnotherapy in this condition
Needle phobia can be successfully resolved to allow a person to feel free to seek medical attention when necessary.
GP referral
Not necessary.
Typical duration of therapy
One or two sessions complimented by the use of CD.
