Should I see a doctor and go on an as needed medication??

[Firemediccapt]

Ok I have a question regarding anxiety, the typical symptoms somewhat describe my issues. I am a 21 year old female I am healthy and fit but over the years I have had two MAJOR triggers that are now leading me to think they are not "all in my head" but rather anxiety... The first, I know for a fact that getting poked with a needle is sometimes necessary and really not a horrible expirience nor painful BUT up to hours before the actual event, no matter how much I try to calm myself down I still FREAK OUT when the nurse comes in to do it.... My heart races, I feel like I'm going to vomit, I pace,I sweat, I cry, get dizzy and I try to talk them out of poking me....I pretty much panic like it is going to kill me and I have actually unintentionally punched a nurse for doing her job... The second, I know for a fact that horror movies are FAKE but I have come to realize that I can not sit through any. The exact same things that happen when someone comes near me with a needle happen and after watching not even 5 minutes of a horror like movie. I feel scared for WEEKS and I get super paraniod and have horrible nightmares...It is embarrassing. I'm 21 and a Firefighter/Paramedic I wish I could be able to sit thru a stupid scary movie and not look like a huge baby getting poked with a needle.  Can anyone help?

[beth0277]

Hi there, I think what you are describing sounds pretty normal. Talk therapy may help with your fear of needles as this is something you will be unable to avoid in the future. A psychiatrist may recommend a small anti anxiety medication before a procedure, such as many people take before surgery or dental work. Although I think if you could talk about your fear and maybe even confront it by working with needles (slowly) and alleviating some of the fear. As far as scary movies, that is very normal. I am 25 and I can not even watch commercials for scary movies. Some people just don't do well with that sort of thing. I am terrified of them. I don't think you need to be on any long term medication and I honestly think you could work through your fear of needles with talk therapy.

Best of luck :)

[rghbog]

Hi I dont agree with some of the posts. Yes I would go on meds for symtom relief unless you really like suffering. Sounds like ptsd which I have. Theripty will help but meds should not be seen as a weakness. I take an antipych drug. Now I can sleep and dont worry so much. I used to take a drug for panic as well but I no longer have that problem. It is not like you are an addict to use pyshotropic drugs you have an illness.

[Paxiled]

My wife is terrified of blood tests, and she has no major mental problems whatsoever.  She's the most normal person I've ever met.  You've unlikely to meet anyone in this life who doesn't have a phobia about something.  The most common is public speaking, the second is heights.  So no, you don't need medication, but as Greenie says, you might want to try therapy so you can get past this.  After all, it's not something you're going to be able to avoid.

[RubyWitch]

Personally I don't think you need medication at all. They essentially do nothing for phobias and in my humble opinion, I think both your issues ARE phobias. But you can certainly discuss this with your PCP.
I do, on the other hand, think you need to get into therapy for your fear of needle sticks. That you actually punched a nurse is totally unacceptable. As a paramedic, who no doubt administers plenty of injections, I don't imagine you'd like being punched. I also can't imagine how you even passed the phlebotomy portion of your exam. Learning to give injections or draw blood requires a great deal of practice on your classmates.....how did you get through that?

There are many adults who don't like scary movies and the simple solution is DON'T GO! If all your friends want to go to one, tell them the truth about why you don't want to go. If need be, accept their teasing and ridicule with humor and good sportsmenship, laugh right along with them about what a scardy-cat you are and boogy men in the closets, but stick to your guns, when they see they can't get a rise out of you, they will soon tire of the game and you won't have nightmares anymore. If you live near a large cineplex, your friends can go to the spooky show and you can go to what you want and meet up afterwards. If you have the courage and moral and physical strength to be a firefighter/paramedic, then you definitely have what it takes to put up with some silly ribbing from your friends!
Best of luck from another scary movie NON-FAN!
Peace
Greenlydia

[cheshchesh819]

you are not a huge baby,you obviously have fears we all have them mine are spiders and motorways,your are movies and needles,i feel physically sick sweats heart goes and everything on motorway,i just try to avoid them,not always possible like the needles,if you have to go for anymore needles explain to them about your fear so they can try and keep you calm,as for the films most of them are s*** now so just give them a miss.

[MMahon]

I think both these fears are common phobias.  Psychotherapy is usually quite helpful for
these problems.  

See below for info.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trypanophobia