Fear of Needles (Trypanophobia) and how to treat it

Getting stuck by a needle isn’t something that anyone would call a pleasurable experience. But for most people, it doesn’t keep them up at night either.

That’s not the case for a significant number of people whose fear of needles causes immense anxiety and may even prevent them from seeking out necessary care—such as a blood test, vaccine, flu shot, acupuncture, insulin injection or any other medical treatment requiring a prick. 

If this sounds like you, you might have what’s called trypanophobia, or a deep fear of needles in medical settings. Sometimes, the fear is related to another mental health condition such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Whether you have a phobia or OCD, the good news is that you can overcome your fear of needles.

We can help you tackle your fear of needles, no matter how much it’s impacting your life. Book a free call to get started.

What is trypanophobia?

Trypanophobia is the official name for an overwhelming, extreme fear of medical procedures involving needles or injections. You may also hear it referred to as “needle phobia.” All phobias—or what psychologists classify as specific phobias—cause an excessive and uncontrollable fear of an object or situation that’s so intense that it disrupts normal life. While there are hundreds of different specific phobias listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), they all have one thing in common: the “irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger,” according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). This means you may fully acknowledge that a tiny needle inserted into your arm by a trained professional is unlikely to harm you, but you still can’t shake the fear.

Common symptoms of trypanophobia

It’s worth reiterating: Not everyone who is afraid of needles has trypanophobia. Fears are universal, while phobias involve distinct symptoms. Trypanophobia can cause you to experience these symptoms when you’re exposed to a needle and/or when you’re just thinking about getting poked.

• Intense anxiety, which may be related to the fear of seeing blood
• Nausea or sweating
• Increased heart rate or heart palpitations
• Fainting (caused by a drop in blood pressure, for example when you get pricked by a needle or see blood) 
• Panic attacks 
• Going out of your way to avoid triggers. For instance, avoiding routine medical care.

Why might someone develop a fear of needles? 

“Anything can lead to a fear of needles, really, even seeing a kid on TV screaming from getting a shot,” says Patrick McGrath, PhD, psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at NOCD. You may also be afraid of seeing blood—or just find the entire situation a bit gross. 

As for the extreme fear of needles—the kind that interferes with your life—experts have identified several factors that may play a role. These include:

• Past negative experience with needles. For instance, research has found that needle phobias may arise for people with chronic conditions that require injections. 
• Family history. Approximately 80% of adults with needle phobia reported that a first-degree relative exhibited the same fear.
• Temperament. Those with a sensitive or inhibitive temperament may be more likely to fear needles in medical settings.
• Another existing mental health condition. Those suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may feel heightened worry about needles. Likewise, fear of needles plagues some people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Not sure what’s causing your fear of needles? Our therapists treat OCD, phobias, and more. Book a call today.

OCD and a fear of needles

It’s normal to wonder, “What does OCD have to do with a fear of needles?” When portrayed in the media, people with OCD all show very stereotypical behaviors associated with the disorder—such as excessive hand washing or organizing. But there are actually many manifestations, or subtypes, of OCD. All types of OCD revolve around obsessions, which are repetitive and unwanted thoughts that often provoke fear. And they can truly be about anything—yes, including needles. 

The obsessions often sound like “what ifs”—“What if I die because of a contaminated needle?” or “What if they make a mistake while drawing blood and I end up with nerve damage?” These obsessive thoughts are intrusive and cause significant distress or anxiety. As a result, people with OCD engage in compulsions—mental or physical acts that are done in an attempt to find relief. Unfortunately, compulsions only provide short-term relief (at best), and the obsessions inevitably return. This is what’s referred to as the OCD cycle—because without effective treatment, OCD is a trap. 

What subtype of OCD do I have if I’m afraid of needles?

Fear of needles and similar health anxieties are most likely to be associated with Health Concern OCD and Contamination OCD. Health Concern OCD is ​​characterized by intrusive thoughts about developing a serious medical condition. “Someone going in to get a vaccine or blood draw might worry that there could be something on that needle that will harm them,” says Melanie Dideriksen, LPC, CAADC, licensed therapist at NOCD, a leading virtual provider of OCD treatment.  

Likewise, people with Contamination OCD fear becoming “contaminated” or seriously ill by touching certain types of substances or certain objects. “I’ve seen people with Contamination OCD worry that they’ll encounter a dirty needle on the street or in the garbage when they’re taking out the trash and they fear getting HIV from it,” explains Dideriksen. 

Less common but possible: Fear of needles can also show up for people with Harm OCD, which involves intrusive thoughts of being harmed, harming yourself, or harming others. It often includes a fear of knives or other sharp objects, and needles are no exception. Take people in the nursing profession, says Tracie Zinman-Ibrahim, LMFT, a therapist at NOCD. “If you’re a nurse with Harm OCD, you might wonder, ‘What if I stabbed through this patient’s vein instead of giving the shot where I’m supposed to?’”

Ultimately, “it’s generally not worth spending too much time trying to figure out which subtype you fit into,” says Dr. McGrath. Especially because all forms of OCD are treated with the same evidence-based treatment called Exposure and Response Prevention therapy. The important thing is to recognize whether your thoughts and behaviors could be considered an obsession or compulsion.

Common obsessions related to the OCD fear of needles:

• What if I accidentally step on a contaminated needle?
• How can I be certain that a needle is clean?
• What if I get a life-threatening illness because a needle was contaminated?
• What if I get a life-threatening illness by needle and I spread it to loved ones?
• What if my child contracts a serious illness because of a contaminated needle?
• What if I accidentally hurt or kill someone with a needle?
• What if the needle breaks off and becomes lodged in my skin?
• What if the needle is filled with poison?
• What if the needle gives me a cut and I lose all of my blood?

Common compulsions related to the OCD fear of needles:

• Avoiding doctors’ offices, medical providers, and other medical settings where you might have contact with needles
• Repeatedly seeking reassurance from medical providers that needles are new and clean
• Excessively researching the proper protocol for cleaning and using needles

Is my fear of needles a phobia or OCD?

Needle phobia and OCD have a couple of key differences. First, needle phobia is specific to needles. Meanwhile, “when people with OCD come to me with a fear of needles, they may have other concerns about their health and well-being. For example, they may be afraid of medications in general,” explains Dr. McGrath.

Another distinction is that OCD is more likely to include behaviors besides just avoidance of needles. What’s more, compulsive behaviors in OCD tend to be repetitive and ritualistic in nature. For example, someone with OCD might seek reassurance over and over again that a needle is clean, or spend hours researching proper protocols for needles. 

Strategies to manage your fear of needles 

It’s worth noting that if your fear of needles is extreme and a symptom of a larger mental health issue like OCD, the only way to find relief for the condition is through evidence-based treatment. 

But for an everyday fear of needles that hasn’t become so severe, these strategies may help:

• Educate yourself. If your anxiety is relatively mild, educating yourself can go a long way. Why does the procedure involve needles? Why is the procedure necessary? The answers to these questions may give you the necessary courage.
• Know your options. Anxious about getting your injection in a large room full of other people? Ask for a private space or, if you have a disability, look into special clinics. 
• Learn pain management techniques. Not only is pain typically minimal, but there are many ways to manage it. You can also ask your doctor about numbing sprays and devices that involve vibration or cooling. 
• Calm your mind. Breathing exercises—or simply just focusing on something else—can go a long way to quiet your anxious thoughts. 
• Bring support. Some people feel better having a supportive friend with them (and a hand to squeeze) during a procedure involving needles.
• Use simple reframes. Words are powerful. Instead of calling it a shot, for example, view your vaccine as a “poke.” It may make the idea of needles less daunting.

When to get professional help for your fear of needles

If you’ve tried on your own to cope with your fear and it’s not getting better, it may be time to see a mental health provider. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is the gold standard treatment for OCD, but it’s also very effective for phobias and some anxiety disorders. 

This specialized treatment is unlike traditional talk therapy or general cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). ERP for phobias or OCD works by gradually exposing you to what triggers your fear of needles, and teaching you response prevention strategies to cope with your distress—things that don’t involve avoiding needles in medical settings or engaging in compulsions. You won’t jump immediately into, say, heading to your local CVS for a vaccine. Instead, one of the first exposures your therapist might encourage is watching a movie where someone gets a flu shot. In other words: You will be encouraged to take steps that move you toward recovery, but you will never be forced into anything before you’re ready.

Dr. McGrath recalls an example of one patient whose job required a COVID vaccination. Through the ERP process, he was ultimately able to overcome his fear of needles and get the vaccine he needed to protect his health and keep his job.

“The ultimate goal is to be able to go to the doctor and get a blood draw or a vaccine when you require one,” Dideriksen says. By treating your mental health, you’ll be able to take care of your overall health.