[LittleForgetMeNot]

I finally have a name for my problem. A while ago I was asking why I practically faint after getting a needle, regardless of not feeling afraid before-hand. I researched it a bit more and "vasovagal trypanophobia" is what I have.

I wasn't worrying about it too much, as my father didn't really seem to be leaning to get my shots any time soon, but he has been reminding me quite frequently now and it's starting to get to me. I feel tense and anxious just thinking about it.. Not scared like I said, I don't feel like I'm going to cry or anything, but I'm not looking forward to it.. I don't want to faint, I don't want to go through the symptoms, I don't want to now know what my problem is. Before at least I could think "perhaps I was only over reacting" but I know now, and really, knowing seems to have made it worse.

I've always had this ever since I was a child I was deathly afraid of shots. When I was a toddler I would fight with the doctors, scream, cry, kick and bite. I had to be held down by my parents with my mouth covered (which while freaking out feels like you're about to suffocate) just to get shots. I have many memories of this, even when it came to taking out splinters and such I was bad. Today my blood pressure drops, I feel nauseous, get tunnel vision, sweats, etc.. Even though it's not as "traumatic" as it once was it's not something I look forward to.

I have no idea how to deal and going to a happy place hasn't been a solution..

[Rohag]

Thank you for posting this, LittleForgetMeNot! I don't suffer from this, but a family member might. Now I know what to investigate.

[roses4me]

my sister does this.
She sees a homeopath acupuncturist regularly and is happy with the results although she still pukes and faints.
roses

[Ambrosa]

My eldest daughter is like that. gets herself in such a state and has passed out. She never had allot of needles when she was young it has only started happening as she has been getting older. She had to get the swine flu/ Flu shot the other week and worked herself up the whole week. The day of the needle she worked herself up into a state. i am so sorry that u feel this way

[LittleForgetMeNot]

Yeah, I don't know how it is anywhere else but where I live there are shots that are mandatory as you age. Once you're in school you can get suspended until you get the shots. I try not to work myself up, I try not to think about it, but when it comes time I can't help it.

[Perna]

The vasovagal type of trypanophobia is usually inherited, it's genetic based. Who else in your family has this? Have you talked to them about how they cope?

You probably should get treatment as if you have vasovagal, the low blood pressure can actually kill you.

"The best treatment strategy for this type of trypanophobia has historically been desensitization or the progressive exposure of the patient to gradually more frightening stimuli, allowing them to become desensitized to the stimulus that triggers the phobic response. In recent years, a technique known as "applied tension" has become increasingly accepted as an often effective means for maintaining blood pressure to avoid the unpleasant, and sometimes dangerous, aspects of the vasovagal reaction."

[LittleForgetMeNot]

I have no idea who else in my family has this. I don't know if my Mom does as we're not really that close and I rarely see her. I know my Dad said that he used to have a problem with needles but I don't know if he fainted, if it was ever that bad, or anything.

Also having more frightening things happen to have this go away seems almost traumatic.