Just the sight of a hypodermic needle during a doctor's visit can intimidate the manliest of men. But having an irrational fear of needles is a recognized anxiety disorder called belonephobia. Like all phobias it can have serious repercussion for sufferers and depending on the severity, may require medication.
What is belonephobia?
The phobia is defined as the morbid, irrational fear or aversion to needles, pins and other sharp objects. Belonephobia mostly affects children, however if the issue is not addressed it could last well into adulthood.
What are the symptoms?
• A persistent fear of a needle or pin.
• Whenever a needle is present an immediate anxious reaction occurs. A person may experience panicky feelings, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and/or difficulty breathing.
• An avoidance of needles and/or any situation where they may be present.
What can causes this disorder?
• A negative experience while young involving needles either in a medical or dentistry setting.
• Someone could also be affected by hearing a disturbing story of a painful needle procedure and assume incorrectly that all situations requiring a needle will be similarly hurtful.
How a person with belonephobia is affected
Needles are universally used in all medical procedures including taking blood, administrating medication and painkillers. Therefore, anyone affected by a needle phobia would be unable to receive some of the most basic needs in medical care. Even worse, they would avoid any situation that required a needle, which could be life threatening.
How can you reduce needle phobia?
• It is helpful if doctors, nurses and/or parents explain everything that is about to happen. This can help reduce any fear that a child or adult may have about the procedure.
• Try to distract the patient:
For Children: Bring your child's favorite toy, book, or teddy bear so that they can play with it using the other arm. After the procedure, sing or cuddle your child to distract them from the pain. You can also use a prescribed topical anesthetic like EMLA cream before the needle is administered to reduce any pain.
For Adults: Most adults find relaxation methods, like visualization, helpful in reducing any anxiety. In extreme cases patients may receive a sedative. To help cure the problem there are several behavioral treatments like desensitization therapy, which focus on changing the person's negative response to the particular object. 
