The correct medical name is trypanophobia - an irrational and often intense fear of hypodermic needles or injections - though it is regularly labelled belonephobia, this term is incorrect since it denotes a fear of pins and needles, without reference to the medical aspects.
Regardless of the label, for those suffering from needle phobia the very thought or sight of a syringe or hypodermic needle can provoke overwhelming feelings of anxiety and even panic.
At least 10% of all adults are believed to suffer from this truly inconvenient and potentially dangerous condition.
In fact, the real figure may well exceed this because the most severe cases are simply not recorded. Those suffering from intense needle phobia tend to do everything possible to avoid all medical treatment.
The cause of needle phobia usually lies in the individual's past and most often springs from two causes:
At some time in the past, most often in childhood, the needle phobic has experienced pain or trauma involving an injection or a hypodermic syringe. As a result of this, he or she has subconsiously twinned this experience with a fear of all hypodermic needles in a process known as 'conditioned response'.
The other main way in which this phobia can be acquired is simply because someone else has had a bad experience with hypodermic needles and this has been passed on to the individual, again, often in childhood.
Some have suggested that there may be a genetic element to trypanophobia because about 80% report having a relative who also has the same phobia. I have not found this to be the case, however, in my own clinical experience.
The fact that such a large percentage of people suffering from needle phobia have family members who also suffer from the same condition seems to be an indication of the ability of the child to empathetically mimic the fears of the adult or of other children.
There can also be links to other phobias and fears, such as to the fear of bleeding or other elements that may serve to strengthen and complicate the phobia.
The consequences of living life as a needle phobic can be truly serious for the individual's well being. Some people simply avoid going to the doctor or dentist at all costs, even when they are experiencing terrible pain or are in urgent need of medical treatment.
The good news is that real help is available.
With correctly applied advanced transformational hypnotherapy, even long standing, chronic cases of needle phobia can be cured.
Once the cause, the origin of the fear is uncovered, then the subconscious mind can be taught to get things back into perspective and release its fearful grip.
Often the needle phobic's conscious mind is only too well aware that this is a fear that is irrational, but it is simply unable to remove it.
With the modern advanced techniques of transformational hypnotherapy, it is possible to readjust the faulty perceptions of the subconscious mind, thereby releasing the individual from this debilitating and poentially dangerous fear.
If you or someone you care about is a needle phobic, suffering from needle phobia - trypanophobia - then the truly valuable help that you need and deserve is available.
With advanced transformational hypnotherapy you can indeed set yourself free.
Anxiety about public speaking can afflict people from all walks of life. Some people fear that the audience will be hostile; others, that they will dry up or be humiliated in some way. For many of us, it's just an unspoken terror to be avoided at all costs.
It's sad that a social phobia like this should have the power to spoil one's enjoyment of the wedding celebrations. If you're the father of the bride, the groom or the best man -- or indeed anyone who's planning to stand up and speak to the assembled guests -- you're certainly not alone in feeling apprehensive. But help is at hand!
Any actor accustomed to first night nerves knows that the physical signs of fear are natural symptoms that can be managed with the right preparation and mind-set. Even if you don't consider yourself to be a 'natural performer', there are simple techniques that you can learn to get you through the apprehension that sometimes goes with public speaking.
If you've got a wedding speech coming up and frankly dread the thought, here are seven ideas to help you beat the jitters:
1. Nervousness is natural and to be expected. Even the most seasoned performers experience it from time to time. Don't be thrown by the feeling or attempt to blot it out -- instead, why not try to use the energy that comes from the feeling to give your delivery a boost?
2. Learn to recognize the symptoms and manage them. For example, you may find yourself taking faster, shallower breaths, so allow yourself a moment to breathe slowly and deeply before you start to speak to help you relax.
3. Plan your speech to suit your audience. Your confidence will be bolstered by a warm and appreciative response from the party -- so choose a theme that will appeal to a cross-section of your listeners. Don't be tempted to tell risque stories or jokes that may offend a particular group of guests. Get to know the family on both sides in order to choose appropriate material.
4. Know that the audience is on your side and wants you to succeed. You may regard making a speech as a test of courage -- but the majority of the wedding reception guests will be feeling relaxed and looking forward to hearing you. Think of the audience as a group of friends, even if you don't know everyone: address the whole room by looking individuals in the eye as you speak.
5. Begin with a simple joke that everyone can enjoy. Relax yourself by relaxing your audience. A funny but inoffensive story about the wedding couple (or about yourself!) adds a personal touch and will get your speech off to a good start -- and there's nothing like a warm audience response to help settle your nerves.
6. Keep it short and sweet. The best speeches always leave the audience hoping for more. Once you hit your stride, you'll be surprised how quickly the time passes. It's quite easy to fall into the trap of going on too long, so decide in advance on a safe time limit and practice your speech with a stopwatch to judge how long it will really last.
7. Memorize as much of your speech as possible. Even if you can't deliver it entirely from memory, try to confine yourself to a few notes. These prompts will help you to recall the main points, and will give you the opportunity to connect with your audience by looking at their faces rather than at a script.
Both Peter James Field & Nigel Patterson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Peter James Field has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hypnotherapy, Cure Anxiety and self improvement and motivation. A leading British hypno-psychotherapist, with practices in London and Birmingham, UK, Peter Field is a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health. Help with. Peter James Field's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Nigel Patterson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Engagement Rings, Cover Letter and Interview Questions. Nigel Patterson is a business writer and publisher of Visit his website for al. Nigel Patterson's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.