Needles are a common child fear except over the years it has not improved even seeing images can give me goosebumps seeing a syringe can cause me panic attacks. It all started when I was 8 years old. I did not fear shots they did not bother me at all but one day I went in for my annual checkup and that part went fine. At the end the nurse went out to get the shots I don’t know why but I needed 5 shots that part still puzzles me. Soon the nurse came back set the shots down next to me. She took off my jacket and whipped my arm with a wipe. As she prepared my arm for the shot she said “It’s ok this won’t hurt a bit” I knew this fine because I knew shots wouldn’t hurt but I normally only saw it as a tiny prick then a burn that was all.
So she was done getting ready and held up a syringe.
I closed my eyes I was expecting her to give me the shot and be gone but there was a delay.
She kept saying this won’t hurt this won’t hurt at all. I looked at her, she seemed terrified, her hand trembled. I was nervous and my mom twiddled her thumbs. Then all the suddenly I felt a sharp jab in my arm unlike any other I felt and I let out a loud “AGH” at the pain.
I then herd a clink and the nurse placed a bandage over the wound.
The nurse prepared the next shot. My mom ran over and I guess I felt a little better. The nurse chanted “it’s ok this won’t hurt”. The chanting scared me.
I felt a tingle on my nose and I lifted my arm to itch it. But for some reason it made the nurse crazy and decided it would be a good idea to just then stab me again. This time I felt the worst pain I have ever felt, like I had been shot by a gun. The nurse gave me another doom shot shortly after that. Then the 4th shot came and my mom pulled me away but it was too late the shot slashed me and I delivered a loud scream.
The nurse apologized, so did my mom. I rubbed my arm. While the fifth one was being prepared I bit my fist hard as I was positive this one would hurt.
Then the 5th “shot” came and I felt the pain and bit my fist furiously. I may have tasted my own blood. Then it was over.
After that I don’t trust nurses or shots but I know I can’t avoid them or no longer reduce pain. I am 15 now and I don’t think I will lose the fear.
The worst thing I saw
This reminds me of a story i had. One time i was washing glasses (a wine glass) and it slipped, i tried to catch it and ended up cutting my finger, i had to get stitches. I don’t know why, but i’ve ALWAYS hated needles, and when i had to get stitches, even with the numbing thing, i screamed bloody murder and had a panic attack. I still hate needles. Now whenever i see a needle, i freeze up and cant even move. I start crying and trying to get away and it’s just awful.
This is so agonizing. I can’t imagine the pain. My fear of needles is not as bad; I just have low blood pressure. But I think it escalated to a fear of sharp stuff. I don’t like to stand near someone with a knife or sharp-edged scissors, but I can live with it.