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What is Trypanophobia?

Updated: Jan 5

Trypanophobia is simply the fear of being poked by a object. It is the extreme fear of having a medical procedure that involves the use of needles. Examples of this would be going too the doctors for your check up or needing anesthesia for surgery for things like wisdom teeth.

Symptoms can include

  • panic attacks

  • anxiety attacks

  • nausea

  • fainting

  • heart rate increases

There are multiple things in a persons life that can develop or worsen the fear of needles, some examples of typical behaviors are:

  • Children are afraid of needles because they are not used to the sensation of being pricked by a sharp object

  • Bad experience or trauma brought on by a needle or a sharp object can lead to fearing needles

  • People who have a sensitivity to pain that can cause high blood pressure or fainting

  • Having other phobias like germaphobia can lead to trypanophobia

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Comments

me

Hi, I'm Diana Baker

I've been in Girl Scouts for 12 years and working on completing my gold award.  By spreading awareness, through this highest awards project with Girl Scouts, I can help make my community and the world a better place, use resources wisely, be friendly and helpful to others, considerate and caring. 

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My brother, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and some friends struggle with trypanophobia and have inspired me to do this project. My goal is to give parents, school nurses, pediatricians, and others options to support community members who have a fear of needles.  

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During the process of this project, I was diagnosed with Chronic Migraines and had to get a 'Migraine Cocktail' infusion after suffering with a higher amount of pain for a month.  When receiving the IV, I used some of the free tools recommended on this page.  Being able to complete this treatment allowed me to finish my school semester and re-engage with this awareness project.  

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Additionally, I have tested more tools when receiving vaccines and communicate these ideas with friends and nurses.  

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Hope my research can help others looking for possible coping tools.  I am connecting with local pediatricians and my school nurse, encouraging others like yourself, to help spread awareness for solutions that can help reduce anxiety with needles.  

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