5 ways in which Havening can help you to overcome a needle phobia
With the Covid 19 Vaccine being rolled out at such a high rate it is clear that the end of the pandemic is in sight! However, studies have shown that as many as 20% of the population have a phobia of needles and injections during medical procedures. The result of having a needle phobia can mean that your heart rate quickens and you experience lowered blood pressure which can result in fainting. Many people feel embarrassed or ashamed of their needle phobia which is why they don't face up to their fear. But it is reassuringly common and something can be dealt with quickly and effectively...
Havening is a psychosensory therapy based on neuroscientific evidence that helps people overcome past traumas. It involves stroking the arms, face and hands as well as doing bilateral eye movements to generate delta waves that flood the amygdala, the emotional part of the brain, in order to switch off the alarm that was activated during a traumatic event. Clients will tune into the past memory and rate it on a Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) scale of 0-10, 10 being the most upsetting. This activates the amygdala so that we can work to desensitise the alarm. Having recently worked with a client who had suffered a needle phobia for over 30 years, he was amazed at how after just one session of Havening, it was resolved. Here are a few of the techniques that are useful in a session whilst dealing with a phobia:
1) Event Havening
After going through a detailed consultation and discovering when the needle phobia started or what triggered it, Event Havening can be applied. Whilst the client is Havening, I provide various distraction techniques so that the mind is absorbed by something other than the memory. This is a very kind approach when events have been particularly traumatising as it distracts the mind from focusing on it whilst applying the Havening technique. This helps the SUD score to go down.
2) Transpirational Havening
If whilst doing the event Havening, the SUD gets stuck, it is usually because there are emotions getting in the way. The client will then tune into the emotions they are experiencing whilst looking back on the memory and chant them whilst Havening, until they are released. It is important that this is carried out one to one with a professionally certified practitioner initially, so that you can learn how to do it effectively and safely.
3) Outcome Havening
This can work in two ways and not only is it fun, it is really effective as it embeds a more desirable memory or thought in your mind. Firstly you can go back to traumatic memory and change it in whatever you want, you can even apply your imagination in the most magical way! Secondly, you can imagine how you want the future event to be. In this case it would be to imagine how you would sit calmly and feel relaxed whilst having the vaccine.
4) Iffirmational Havening:
Quite often we will put 'what if' in front of a negative statement and it starts a whole negative story in out mind, leading us down the completely wrong path! We want to create positive stories and choose the path that leads to happiness, right?! Absolutely! So when Havening is applied and we use 'what if' in a positive way, it will really help you create positive stories so your mind can start planning great things! These what if statements make it easier to achieve the next type of Havening technique...
5) Affirmational Havening
Now, you can drop the 'what if' and add BECAUSE! Now that you have created all these positive stories, you will find it so much easier to realise why you can achieve them! Adding because affirms that you are capable of achieving positive, great things in your life, which you truly deserve!
There are also two other Havening Techniques that you would love! If you would like to know more about Havening, please get in touch. I would love to have a chat about it!
