"Research shows that when you are scared of something, like needles, it will increase the pain you feel. Melanie Noel, a psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Calgary whose research is focused on children's anxiety and memories of pain. Most adults with needle fear can link it to a bad childhood experience," said Dr. "What avoidance does, in the long term, is to fuel the fear and makes it worse. Last year's flu vaccine wasn't very effective.That fear has made the Halifax man avoid flu shots for decades, and his blood work requisitions have been collecting dust.Īccording to Taddio, a traumatic experience between the ages of four and eight is "the typical scenario behind a fear of needles." "Something happened when I was four or five years old, and needles have been a source of huge anxiety since," said Gillis. But the engineer, longtime runner and father of three has lived since childhood with a fear of needles, which is formally known as trypanophobia. Fear often linked to childhoodĪt first glance, 48-year-old Dennis Gillis doesn't seem like someone who would have a needle phobia. It can also have some potentially huge consequences on public health.Īvoidance of vaccines can lead to greater transmission of illnesses or pathogens in the community, the postponing of blood tests can lead to diagnosis delays, people may dodge dental work until a crisis happens, or they may refuse to donate blood - all due to a fear of needles.
"They don't talk about it, but their avoidance behaviour has an impact on their health care." "Most adults who are afraid stay under the radar," said Anna Taddio, a professor of pharmacy at the University of Toronto and a senior associate scientist at Sick Kids hospital.
PATHOLOGICAL FEAR OR NEEDLES HOW TO
Anna Taddio is a clinical pharmacist and expert in children's pain who is currently researching how to reduce fear of needles in youth.
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