Thread by @sozh, Since talk of a vaccine started more than a year ago, I’ve [...]

Since talk of a vaccine started more than a year ago, I’ve felt mildly anxious about getting the shot. I’ve never liked getting shots.

I've been joking with everyone I know that I'm holding out for a Flintstones chewable vaccine

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So I reported and wrote a story about people who have a serious fear or phobia of needles, I learned a statistic that we all should consider: 5% of adults may avoid shots because they are afraid of needles…

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2021-05-03/what-to-do-about-needle-phobia-covid-19-vaccination

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Is needle fear holding you back from getting vaccinated? Here's what to do about it

Amid the push for herd immunity, 5% of adults may be avoiding vaccines due to an intense fear of needles. It is common, and it can be overcome.

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2021-05-03/what-to-do-about-needle-phobia-covid-19-vaccination

In the context of the COVID pandemic and the worldwide push for herd immunity, we mustn’t forget needle fear as a contributing factor to vaccine hesitancy. Here are some things I learned about needle phobia:

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Needle phobia is different than other phobias: it has a unique PHYSICAL aspect: the vasovagal response causes blood pressure and pulse to plunge, leading to fainting and/or other unpleasant symptoms like dizziness, pallor, or excessive sweating

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasovagal-syncope/symptoms-causes/syc-20350527

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Vasovagal syncope - Symptoms and causes

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasovagal-syncope/symptoms-causes/syc-20350527

(This exaggerated vasovagal response could have been an evolutionary survival technique, to "play possum" amid bloodshed, or to shut the body down at the sight of one's own blood).

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This fainting response at the sight of blood, injury, or needles is believed to be hereditary.

You can read the classic paper on needle phobia to learn more:

Needle Phobia: A Neglected Diagnosis by Dr. James G Hamilton, 1995

http://velanovascular.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/JFP-Needle-Phobia-A-Neglected-Diagnosis.pdf
(PDF)

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So you can say, “it doesn’t even hurt,” or “it’s over with in a second,” but for some people, the fear of needles is overwhelming even though they KNOW it doesn’t hurt and they KNOW it’s over with in a second

There are ways to combat the fainting response, and the fear:

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APPLIED TENSION is basically tensing large muscle groups to keep your pulse and heart rate up, and fight off the woozy, fainty feeling.

White-knuckling it, psychologist @kdahlsgaard told me, may actually serve a purpose

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And people with moderate needle fear can manage their distress when it comes time to get a shot.

@DrATaddio at the Univ. of Toronto developed the evidence-based CARD system:

COMFORT
ASK
RELAX
DISTRACT

https://immunize.ca/card-adults
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And exposure therapy can help people overcome needle phobia and other deep-seated fears, psychologist @kdahlsgaard told me

“For someone with a dog phobia ... they need safe and systematic exposure to dogs.”
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/vaccine-hesitancy-injection-needle-phobia-treatment-20210329.html
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A fear of needles or injections may keep some from COVID-19 vaccine. This treatment can help.

There’s a serious problem that gets overlooked when we talk about “vaccination hesitancy”: Many adults are perfectly willing to get vaccinated, but are simply very afraid of shots.

https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/vaccine-hesitancy-injection-needle-phobia-treatment-20210329.html

But it’s not all on the patients!

_Needle clinics should take considerations of needle fear into account and provide an environment that is comforting and convenient_ says @DrATaddio of the Univ. of Toronto

cc: city, county and state officials

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Meet Shane Curran, who spoke to me at length for this story. He sent me this photo after a friend made a vaccine appointment for him.

He's terrified of getting shots (yes, despite the tattoos), and had been it putting off as long as he could.

Even though he has asthma

How did Shane feel knowing his shot was coming?

“Dread,” he said. “Absolute dread. I’ve got real shaky hands, a nice clammy sweat, knots in the stomach.”

This type of dread is common, psychologist Robert Chernoff of Cedars-Sinai said.

It's anticipatory anxiety: fear of fear

Shane was able to get his vaccine, the one-time J&J dose. He hated it.

Our photographer @GenaroMolina47 was there to capture the moment

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And the aftermath... @GenaroMolina47

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Wow... this thread kinda got long. Let me wrap up!

- 25% of adults may have fear of needles
- 5% of adults may avoid vaccines bc of fear
- Vaccine phobia is real, and it has a physical component
- Needle fear is likely an aspect of vaccine hesitancy

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So if you or someone you know is avoiding getting the shot because of needle fear, maybe this article can be a jumping off point to overcoming it, at least enough to get the COVID jab.

Shane did it, and even I did it.

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2021-05-03/what-to-do-about-needle-phobia-covid-19-vaccination

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Is needle fear holding you back from getting vaccinated? Here's what to do about it

Amid the push for herd immunity, 5% of adults may be avoiding vaccines due to an intense fear of needles. It is common, and it can be overcome.

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2021-05-03/what-to-do-about-needle-phobia-covid-19-vaccination

PS:

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