Two points:
1. I have literally no choice but to look away prior to an injection. That's just the way I roll (up into a little ball in terror of needles).
2. Lying about how painful something is going to be might provide a minor reduction in perceived pain. Or it might make the pain involved more of a surprise and add a sense of betrayal to the whole process. (Just ask my daughter.)
Embedded Link
To avoid pain during an injection, look away
Health professionals commonly say, "Don't look and it won't hurt" before administering an injection, but is there any scientific basis for the advice? A group of German investigators has found that, …
Google+: View post on Google+
73 view(s)
I have never understood why needles are so problematic for some people. I've always been quite dispassionate about shots and blood draws and such.
I don't claim it's some cosmic verity. It's just my own personal issue.
It is common though. Some people even faint. I suspect it's not just squeamishness, but rather rooted in physiology, although I failed to find any research to support that hypothesis.
Some “shots” hurt, some don’t. Blood draws shouldn’t hurt. Cortisone injections usually do — sometimes a lot. I’ve never noticed any difference whether I was looking or not.
I always told my children injections would hurt. That way, they weren’t shocked if it was painful, and if it wasn’t, they were pleasantly surprised, and could say, “You were worried, and it didn’t hurt at all, Mom.”
A lot of it has to do with the skill of the shot giver. (and the size of the needle) My dad’s nurses took great pride in their “needlework”.
Indeed. I was in a clinical trial where the aide was just learning how to draw blood. It was more uncomfortable than usual. One time she did quite well and I was about to compliment her when she lifted the needle up while withdrawing it. That was the worst!
That being said, the various levels of discomfort have in no way caused trepidation where future draws or injections are needed. I know to expect some small discomfort, but it’s almost never worse than a stubbed toe. I keep right on reading my current book as they poke the needle in.
I’ve always looked away (urged by my dad) since the anticipation always made me more anxious, which made the process more unpleasant. Whether the pain was less, I can’t say.
With respect to Katherine, pain is subjective, so what may be less painful to one could actually be more painful to others. Also, though I can’t be sure, I thought I remembered a study that showed that teens feel both emotional and physical pain more acutely.
Glad you liked the read 🙂