Health Tip of the Week, sponsored by Baton Rouge General: Living with Trypanophobia

By
-

While most people don’t enjoy getting shots or giving blood, imagine being so frightened by needles that it can lead to panic attacks or delayed medical care. This severe needle phobia is called trypanophobia and about 10 percent of people suffer from it. Some people can even experience a vasovagal reflex at the sight of a needle, which widens your blood vessels, slows your heart rate and causes your blood pressure to drop so low that you faint. Some tips for people living with severe needle phobia are:

  • Never look at the needle.
  • Tell the staff about your issues with needles.
  • Take a friend or family member with you if you can.

Get more tips for living with trypanophobia