RpNation

I'd say when it interferes with your life. Lots of people are afraid of spiders, for example, but if you let it determine whether or not you go into a particular room, or building, or outside, that's a phobia.

What about a phobia of needles? You don't really encounter those in everyday life.

I’d say a phobia interferes with any specific action, no matter how often you encounter it.

“I hate needles so much that they give me panic attacks.”

“I hate spiders so much that I’m never going to your house ever again.”

“I hate clowns so much that they give me panic attack’s when I see them.”

Needles make me nervous... Every time I need to take a shot or get blood drawn via needle, I start panicking to the point where I'll uncontrollably flinch my arm away from it, and even struggle against being restrained. I'll start crying, too. Every single time. In fact, it only seems to get worse. It takes a LOT of effort not to jerk away. I'll even do it when they're only applying the alcohol beforehand.

I'm not 100% sure if I have a phobia or not... I think I might. But my mom says not... so I'm just curious what the general consensus is. I do know you're not professionals, however. Just curiosity.

I think a good place to draw the line (and it is difficult for matters of degree such as this) would probably be whether you can enjoy yourself with it. We can have fun getting scared by regular fear, but phobias are just too disturbing an experience, as they are often derived from trauma. Also, if one experiences physiological (probably the wrong word, will have to look up the right one later) such a puking ,

It's probably a phobia.

It sounds like a phobia to me, Daisie

I had a phobia of medical needles. I've always had it, but I don't remember when it started but I assume because I was hospitalized for a long time and frequently as a child during a time I can't remember. I remember having to get an MMR booster in elementary school and being terrified that one of my teacher's got a shot for me to show me it didn't hurt and still had to be restrained to get it done.

Any time any needle was involved I was like NOPE! I was a teen and I was literally shaking, crying, and having a panic attack over a tetanus shot I had to get. When I had to have any surgery and get an IV we had to arrive early because they were informed I would struggle. When I had two teeth removed for braces I kicked someone mid-anesthesia. When I woke up I tried to get up and run and collapsed onto the floor.

It literally would trigger a flight or fight mechanism within me got worse after the 7th grade due to high anxiety and stress for other reasons at that time. I've managed to regain control over it after I learned I could express some control for my own comfort. Such as asking for them to NOT show me the needle, to allow me to look away, to use a smaller needle if possible. The odd thing is I can get a tattoo...

But a shot? I still struggle with because my last tetanus booster sent me to the ER in pain because it had been given incorrectly. I'm better if I have to have blood drawn though. So yeah, if you're reacting in a similar way, where you have a strong urge to fight or flee it's most likely a phobia because I was diagnosed with that on top of anxiety.

Dang. While I've never gotten up and ran away from a needle, that situation is too real. When I got my central venous catheter out (basically a longer term IV, it was great cause they never had to poke me to give me meds), I was legitimately dreading getting my blood tests done after that. Like, it was a sense of dread every time I thought of it.

Luckily I can get my monthly tests done with a finger prick. Hot dang.

The shaking and crying over a shot definitely sounds like me though. It's embarassing because I have to hold someone's hand and avert my eyes. I close a youtube video if I see a medical needle near skin.

I guess the good news is that I'll never be a druggie via needle, rofl

Thank you guys for your answers! I wasn't sure exactly what response I'd get. I may ask a doctor about it when I get the chance.