Needle phobia - Anxiety UK

What causes Injection orNeedle Phobia?There are several different theories about why somepeople are needle phobic. One theory suggests thatbecause our first injection hurt (having an injection is not apleasant experience for anyone) it is therefore quite naturalto experience a certain amount of fear with subsequentinjections. Most of us have our first injection as a childand for many this is a frightening experience because youare left with a doctor who you perceive as a stranger: youdon’t know why you are being hurt with a needle and youcannot understand why your parent/guardian would allowyou to be ‘hurt’ in this way.Another theory suggests that we learn to fear needles/injections from our parents or other significant adults.Many people with needle phobia recall parents tellingthem as children to “stay away from needles - you mightcatch something”, and many remember being told to “bebrave” whilst having an injection despite feeling terrified.Many also recall that a significant adult was needle phobictoo. As children we are led to believe that our guardiansknow best so if we see them behaving in a phobic mannerin response to needles/injections, we accept that there is agood reason for this behaviour.Phobias can also be associative, which means that theobject of our phobia can be associated with somethingnegative. For instance, a person may receive bad newsand notice a needle/syringe at the same time. Anotherexample of how this may occur is after having had a bloodtest, and later being told that you have a serious illness.6