Overcome the Fear of Injections

Fear of needles and injections is common, but it can be overcome by some simple techniques.

Steps

 * 1) Try to relax, the more tense you are the more it will hurt. Focus on your breathing, take deep breaths to help you relax.
 * 2) Don't look at it. Focus on something else in the room, don't look at it before the shot either.
 * 3) While having the shot, talk with someone, or, if possible, find something to bite down on. If you have long fingernails, they work well to chomp down on.
 * 4) Understand why you need the shot, and focus on 'This will make me better' or similar mantra, instead of 'I don't want a needle' or 'This is going to hurt'
 * 5) Think about how this shot is going to help you... Which would you rather have? An incurable disease or a 2 second shot?

Tips

 * If you are going for a major shot/needle, tell the medical people you are anxious about it, and ask for a sedative.
 * Don't be afraid to cry. If you are that scared, crying will help your body relax and the doctors won't mind.
 * Make a comparison in your mind. Imagine being pinched, and think about if it will hurt that much. This is also good to make your mind wander away from the actual shot.
 * Tell the doctor about your fear and a lot of times they will try and use the smallest needle possible.
 * Don't get a shot right after exercising as your the combination warm muscles and cold shot fluid can result in a lot of pain.
 * Ask for it in an area with few nerve endings as that will hurt less.
 * For shots in the arm, drop your shoulder down and lightly press your elbow against your waist. This will relax your deltoid muscle and make the procedure more painless in the short and long term.
 * Get yourself thoroughly concerned about something else COMPLETELY unrelated to the injection and the doctor's office in general. For example, before you leave for the appointment, deliberately "forget" to do something, like, for example preparing something for dinner or watering the garden. This not only will allow your focus to stray from the procedure but it will also give you a tie to the outside world (which will make you feel much less helpless) and will also give you a reason to get out of there as quickly as possible.
 * If you don't want to look, you may find it hurts more because you are anticipating so much. If you think you won't pass out or faint, look at it!  You'll see that it really isn't a big deal at all.
 * If you can, take a close friend or family member along with you. Not only will they provide moral support just by being there, but you'll also feel a lot calmer and safer too. In fact, you could get them to chat with you before and during the procedure to take your mind off things!

Warnings

 * Don't tense up. Tensing up could result in a bad bruise.
 * Don't continue to delay it as the nurse asks you if you are ready, this only makes you more anxious, just let him/her give it to you and it'll be over in the blink of an eye.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Overcome Your Fear of Horses
 * How to Overcome Your Fears Through Visualization
 * How to Cope With the Fear of Fire