Getting Vaccinated When You’re Afraid of Needles

Many people have a fear of needles, which is called trypanophobia, and that could be a problem if you plan on getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Victor Fornai, trauma psychologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, has some great tips to help make it less traumatic. Before your appointment, he says to practice with a toy syringe, and snap a rubber band on your arm to simulate the jab of a needle. Tara Roberts, who has been terrified of needles her whole life, says she’ll face her fear to get the vaccine. #InsideEdition

[Meech]

What the hell, I was afraid and my dad told me that if I didn’t get my shots one year that I wouldn’t be able to eat at home. That seemed to do the trick lmao.

[astramystic]

"Practise with a toy syringe" yup ok let me grab my spare toy syringe real quick

[Frenite]

A little pain from a needle is much better than getting covid.

[Kpopkng]

I hate needles, I have an anxiety attack every time I have to get a shot

[SaekoSeow]

I burst into tears, so did several of my classmates when we all having a compulsory needle shot and it hurt like h***. I had a phobia since then. And that was when i was 12.

Now fast forward many years later, i freak out everytime i see a needle. I had to get an urgent shot to help me with a very bad allergy reaction. I freak out so badly that i nearly fainted

I hate to say it but i rather get covid than to be vaccinated

[ChrisSealy]

My advice is to look away from the injection because it feels less painful when you turn your head away from the injection

[chocolatecapricorn]

If you relax your arm, you don’t feel it at all. It’s painful when you tighten up your muscles to anticipate the inj.

[anonymousfan]

This is a little trick that helped me once over my fear of needles. I just watched a funny video on my phone and it distracted me from the pain.

[JoaquinLomeliJr]

I always give a warning to the doctor that I don't like needles 😆

[madisonwebster]

No amount of practices, eye covering or mind tricks would help me get through this. 💉😱

[ritselabuan]

The best way, Talk to a friend or talking to yourself while vaccinated

[QueenBee-gxrp]

I got my vaccination yesterday and I didn’t even feel it! It’s a very small, fine needle—so don’t worry! You’re saving your life!

[DamionBurciaga]

That rubber band/pinch trick is the biggest lie ever told to children. It feels exactly like someone poking a peice of metal into your muscles and nothing else.

[djthereplay]

I have autism spectrum disorder and I get hyper occasionally whether it be positive or negative
and for me it is the sensation of having to stay still and let someone sting me and the ouch signals that shoot all over me as if I were letting someone stun me and the hurt that comes from it and that is where I need something to distract me and numbing cream at that moment so that it isn't so overwhelming to me and weighing me down so much and I am more likely to let the doctor give me the shot seamlessly without rushing to fear and ultimately going on defense mode .
And for those of you who say things like " if you just calm down it will not hurt you and you will barely even feel it ", etc . It doesn't matter what anyone says or what you say it is about what the individual themselves says that works for them .
This is not the time to be acting like you know everything or what works for everyone based on what works for you and you only .

[JoaquinLomeliJr]

Who just randomly has a toy syringe at the house lol 😆

[YumeBasil]

The rubber band smack doesn't feel anything like a needle.

[KittyBee]

This was me yesterday! I hate needles! I got the vaccine and I closed my eyes and bit my tongue and hold my breath! My husband was there for support and I got my shot! Your not alone and you can do it!

[lukesmeby]

I always just look away and have them do it without warning. If I look at them with the needle I freak out.

[iikhalaii]

let me tell you they knew before i even walked in the room and they were prepared i didn't even have time to freak out it was three people on one arm and i was done. traumatizing but now i have to get the second dose.

[Mustafaahmed]

Some people have a fear of needles, i have the fear of the toilet getting clogged