Parents don't believe in my severe trypanophobia? (fear of needles)?

I have given many immunization injections to people who are scared just like you.

Even big tough guys are afraid.

The best thing to do is tell the nurse right away about your fear. They handle this all the time

and are use to helping the person through it. Take something with you to occupy your mind while you are there like your dvd player, playbook, magazine or whatever you like. You can take a stuffed toy with you to hold. Take long deep breaths and try to relax as you exhale.

Try to remember that it's just one tiny poke compared to a month of being very very sick with the flu.

People, even teens die every year from the flu. This shot is your best defence because the flu will be all around you. Your parents are doing their best for your benefit. Try not to dwell on it because your anxiousness will only build more.

I don't particularly like getting needles either, but I enjoy being healthy.

Wishing you good health!

Chrissie R.N.

I see you have either taken a high school class in psych or you've been doing some research for terminology to support your position. The problem that remains is that there is no cause that you mentioned. Without a trauma, you don't have a phobia; so its described as anxiety. Fight or flight does not apply either because it must be life threatening to be activated.

You don't want to self augment anxiety as a means of coping because its avoidance. If you let this pattern develop and become part of you, then you'll avoid all of life's challenges. You don't want to set yourself up to fail. Think about it.

GOOD LUCK

print out some research for them and tell them you want to go to a therapist first for this diagnosis before the flu shot

Please remove their doubt. They have a feeling that it is self-made.