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What is Aichmophobia?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Aichmophobia is the fear of needles. This very common phobia is also known as trypanophonia, enetophobia, or simply needle phobia, and it affects a very large segment of the population. Some people opt not to seek treatment for their phobia, simply coping when they are exposed to needles for various procedures, while others choose to seek out aichmophobia help from a psychological professional. For people who do want to defeat this phobia, there are a number of treatment options which can be used.

Many phobias arise in response to some sort of trauma, and aichmophobia is no exception, but it can also be caused by an inherited reflex. Some people appear to be naturally jumpy or nervous around needles, whether or not they have been traumatized, and this phobia can also be linked with a fear of restraint or control issues. In other instances, a trauma such as a painful injection or a needlestick incident causes aichmophobia to develop.

Doctors try to make patients suffering from aichmophobia as comfortable as possible when they need medical procedures.
Doctors try to make patients suffering from aichmophobia as comfortable as possible when they need medical procedures.

Because this phobia is so widespread, many people view it with acceptance, especially medical professionals, who are very used to dealing with needle phobias. In people who have developed aichmophobia in response to trauma, symptoms like trembling, faintness, shortness of breath, nausea, dry mouth, and sweating can arise when a needle is taken out. In people with an inherited reflex, exposure to needles can lead to fainting or severe panic attacks.

Someone with aichmophobia will be desensitized until they are comfortable with simple procedures like a blood draw.
Someone with aichmophobia will be desensitized until they are comfortable with simple procedures like a blood draw.

Individuals with aichmophobia tend to avoid circumstances in which they will be exposed to needles. This can lead to problems, as people may be reluctant to seek out medical treatment because they are afraid of the needles which might be used. Finding an understanding medical provider can help people cope with mild aichmophobia, especially when this phobia is accompanied with a fear of medical procedures in general. Other patients may prefer to seek treatment so that they can take control of their phobia.

Aichmophobia can result in shortness of breath and a rapid heart beat.
Aichmophobia can result in shortness of breath and a rapid heart beat.

Aichmophobia treatment is usually accomplished with desensitization, a series of therapeutic sessions in which the patient is exposed to needles under the supervision of a psychologist. The intensity of each experience will be scaled up, until the patient is comfortable with injections and blood draws. Psychiatric drugs may be used to manage severe aichmophobic responses, and patients may also benefit from hypnosis, talk therapy, and other therapeutic treatments.

Patients with aichmophobia should not be afraid to inform medical providers. Doctors and nurses prefer to be aware of the problem, so that they can take precautions to make a procedure involving a needle more comfortable for the patient.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon79686

The thing is, millhouse, I have it myself. Call it irrational, but I have the freaking worst fear of it, even if I know it won't hurt. I look the other way, but still, I get nervous. I think it's the mere idea of waiting to have something stuck into your body or something.

anon74775

You don't understand, most people do look away but the thought of it piercing your flesh becomes overwhelming. If looking away was a solution then this phobia wouldn't exist today, but it's not that easy.

millhouse

I don't understand why aichmophobic people can't just look the other way. I realize that this might sound ignorant, and show my perhaps fundamental misunderstanding of a phobia which is an *irrational* fear, but the peculiar thing with a fear of needles is that you don't have to watch it coming, whereas say a fear of spiders, you can't control....

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    • Doctors try to make patients suffering from aichmophobia as comfortable as possible when they need medical procedures.
      By: Africa Studio
      Doctors try to make patients suffering from aichmophobia as comfortable as possible when they need medical procedures.
    • Someone with aichmophobia will be desensitized until they are comfortable with simple procedures like a blood draw.
      By: hadkhanong
      Someone with aichmophobia will be desensitized until they are comfortable with simple procedures like a blood draw.
    • Aichmophobia can result in shortness of breath and a rapid heart beat.
      By: nuiiko
      Aichmophobia can result in shortness of breath and a rapid heart beat.
    • Psychotherapy may be helpful for some people with aichmophobia.
      By: michaeljung
      Psychotherapy may be helpful for some people with aichmophobia.
    • Aichmophobia can cause some people to experience panic attacks and bouts of nausea.
      By: nadezhda1906
      Aichmophobia can cause some people to experience panic attacks and bouts of nausea.
    • Hypnotherapy may be used to overcome a fear of needles.
      By: James Steidl
      Hypnotherapy may be used to overcome a fear of needles.