How Phlebotomists Deal With Trypanophobic Patients

A medical practitioner collecting a blood sample

Consider finishing a nice session with your general healthcare physician, grabbing the doorknob, and then recalling you need to stop by the lab before heading home. For many people, blood donation or getting injected is not an issue. However, for others, even thinking about a needle near their flesh sends chills up their spine.

For approximately a quarter of people, the thought is so extreme that many can develop a fear of needles or trypanophobia.

Fear of needles is real, and many people suffer from it. It can cause people to avoid taking medical tests that involve needles. However, from the medical practitioner’s point of view, these tests need to be taken to evaluate the patient’s condition further. So, how can they manage this fear of needles in some patients? Let’s find out.

Is Fear of Needles Real?

Trypanophobia isn’t a sign of insecurity, and it doesn’t imply that an individual is hyper-emotional or theatrical. Although there is no one common reason for fear of needles, it is thought to have originated from a terrible childhood event and can afflict anybody. It might also be a hereditary factor, which means that the condition might run in families.

Symptoms of Fear of Needles

Following are some general symptoms of trypanophobia:

Panic attacks when seeing a needle
Feeling anxiety or stress when thinking about needles
Feeling like you’ll pass out when there’s a needle near your skin
Shortness of breath while thinking of/seeing needles

How To Manage Fear of Needles

While people with trypanophobia may feel uncomfortable during a blood test, there are some useful tips that phlebotomists or patients can use to minimize the feeling of distress.

When coming for a blood test, trypanophobia patients should be completely hydrated. As a phlebotomist, you should ensure that they are well hydrated.
Phlebotomists can use butterfly needles that are usually shorter and easy to use and are less intimidating for trypanophobia patients.
Another common strategy that phlebotomists and patients use is to create a distraction, think about something else, or look at something to divert attention from the needle.
Another technique is to close your eyes during the blood draw to prevent the panic or anxiety of looking at a needle.

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Are you afraid of needles? If that’s the case, taking your blood samples can be hard for your phlebotomist. We have a solution. At Phlebotomy on Wheels, we have professional and experienced mobile expert phlebotomists VA who can come to your home where you will be more comfortable and draw the blood most comfortably. They are trained specialists who know how to do their work safely, keeping the patient’s safety in mind.

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