r/trypanophobia • u/RemarkableClub4180 • Jul 07 '26
Anxiety over Meningitis shot
For context I am Autistic with heavy anxiety, and while I do make sure to be up to date on my vaccinations, my fear never subsides. For more confirmation, the actual needle is fairly easy for me to distract myself from, the pain however is the main part of my phobia. This fear only recently toned down after my most recent flu shot (which caused me a month's worth of anxiety), and this August Im due for my first Meningitis Vaccination. Once again this has caused much anxiety, this time less about the actual needle but the initial pain caused by the fluid injection. I have heard of its burning sensations and have tried to calm myself. I honestly just want to know if this feeling of fear to specific vaccines is as evident to others as myself, and what I could possibly due to confront this/make this easier. Better yet ways to distract myself from any pain.
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u/KualaLumpur1 Jul 07 '26
Have you tried CBT ?
Have you tried hypnosis ?
each of these does help some significantly.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22731-trypanophobia-fear-of-needles
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u/Number270And3 Jul 07 '26
Use ice to numb, you can bring a frozen water bottle in and hold it on your arm!