Wednesday, February 1, 2017

How Is a Fear of Needles Related to a Fear of Death?

Photo by Rick Hustead




According to John Kappas, Ph.D., a fear of loss of control is related to a fear of death. This fear usually starts very early in life and is often associated with a phobia, such as a fear of needles, the Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder explained. The subconscious mind connects the association: “Needles could cause death [via] penetration of the skin,” he said.

When you’re trying to determine if a phobic reaction is associated with this fear, ascertain whether the client has ever awoken in the middle of the night and was unable to move or speak, the hypnotherapist advised. To treat the phobia of needles, the hypnotherapist must provide suggestions for total physical relaxation in addition to systematically desensitizing the client to stimuli and ideas that are associated with death and dying.

Also, be sure to explain the physiological process that occurs when the person wakes up and is initially unable to speak or move, Dr. Kappas said. “This physical reaction is related to suggestibility [about] a fear of death and dying.”



Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
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