How To Deal With A Phobia

[poliphilo]

I had my flu jab yesterday. Ailz had booked hers a good while in advance, but I'd loudly and repeatedly said I wasn't going to have one. I believed myself too. Then, at the last moment, as we were leaving the clinic, I changed my mind. So instead of having to dread the needle for weeks, I only had to dread it for thirty seconds. Cunning, eh? 

It didn't hurt of course; they never do.

Comments

[frumiousb.livejournal.com]

that's a good way to do it. B. is so phobic about giving blood that we have a continual battle about whether or not he needs to do so. I shall suggest your remedy to him.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's certainly worth a try.

[shullie.livejournal.com]

just had mine... I have not to think about it and just wander along...

as you say 30 secs instead of weeks...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's the way to do it :)

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

I went to the Mayor's Senior Walk for Health last Thursday. They had a flu shot clinic as part of the overall health clinic (Blood pressure and cholesterol check, etc.). I really like getting the shot that way - no appointment needed, spur of the moment. I also appreciated getting it early - three weeks before my doctor would be offering it. Often in the past if I waited till the end of October I would get the flu itself before the shot was available.
Anyhow, glad you made the decision...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's good that these services are offered.

Ailz and I both fall into categories eligible for a free shot- she as disabled and I as her carer.

[mamarose.livejournal.com]

Very often, the anticipation is much worse than the reality. I did the same thing with a recent GI exam that involved numbing my throat to swallow a tube. I couldn't cope with it so I kept putting it off. Then the clinic called with a last minute opening, and I went for it and was fine. I even enjoyed the loopy drugs they gave me to relax. It's silly, really, but it works.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That sounds rather awful. I'm glad to hear it wasn't.

Loopy drugs are good. I float through the day on a happy cloud of painkillers.

[currawong.livejournal.com]

Much better the quick jab than the miserable, potentially life-threatening nastiness that can leave you feeling crushed for months. Tell yourself you don't have a phobia.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm all for mind-over-matter, so yes I'll give that a go!

[currawong.livejournal.com]

Works most of the time with my acrophobia.