Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for a child and even adults can present unique challenges of frequent needles. Even the word needle can evoke feelings of fear, anxiety, and even panic. As a parent or caregiver, it’s essential to provide compassionate support and guidance to help your child navigate their emotions and manage their condition with confidence and resilience. In this blog post, I will share some strategies and ideas for addressing anxiety and needle phobia in children with type 1 diabetes.
Understanding Anxiety and Needle Phobia
Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived threats, but for some children, the fear of needles can become overwhelming and paralyzing. Needle phobia can manifest as intense fear, avoidance behaviors, and physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and dizziness.
One thing we were told when my son was diagnosed with type 1 was “Insulin is not an option”. There may be some other things that we may be more flexible about. But from the beginning diabetes needed to be structured in a way that it was not a choice. They needed to check their blood sugar and do their insulin.
Insulin injections are a necessary part of diabetes management, and avoiding or delaying them can lead to serious health complications.
My daughter’s experience with needle phobia
My daughter is a prime example of someone who has had and overcome needle fears. Before being diagnosed with diabetes I remember her reaction to a vaccination when she was 4 years old. It was horrible. So much crying, she was petrified. After it was over she even threw up.
She was diagnosed in our house at about 2am. Her older brother had type 1 diabetes so we were keeping an eye on her. One night she had her milk before bed and said “Mom, I am still thirsty”. My heart sank and I knew that I needed to check her blood sugar.
She was so terrified of needles so I decided to leave it at that moment. I waited until she was asleep and did a finger poke on her. It read 19 mmol/L. I thought shoot that must be a mistake. I will wash her finger better. Second test and it was the same.
The next morning we went to the Childrens Hospital and had all of the things done to confirm her type 1 diabetes diagnosis. We caught it early so did not need to stay in the hospital. Knowing how much she was scared of needles I asked if there was any sort of counsellor/psychologist that could help her. We were lucky and the psychologist had time to meet with us. We practiced some breathing exercises before the blood work and she came with us. It was still very traumatic and there was about 5 of us in the room and needed to hold her down.
That day of diagnosis we were given this magic pinwheel. It was part of our routine for needles and always seemed to help a bit. By visually blowing she would take some deep breaths instead of holding her breath.
Compassionate Support Strategies
- Open Communication: Create a safe and supportive environment for your child to express their fears and concerns openly. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about needles and diabetes without judgment or criticism. Listen actively and validate their emotions, letting them know that it’s okay to feel scared and that you’re there to support them every step of the way.
- Education and Empowerment: Knowledge is power, so empower your child with information about their condition and treatment. Explain the importance of insulin injections in managing diabetes and the positive impact they have on their health and well-being. Use age-appropriate language and visual aids to help them understand the process and feel more in control of their care.
- Gradual Exposure: Gradually introduce your child to needles and medical procedures in a controlled and supportive manner. Start by showing them the equipment used for insulin injections and allowing them to handle it without pressure. Gradually progress to practicing injection techniques on a soft surface, such as a stuffed animal or cushion, before attempting it on themselves.
- Distraction and Relaxation Techniques: Help your child develop coping strategies to manage their anxiety during needle procedures. Encourage deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, or progressive muscle relaxation to promote relaxation and reduce tension. Provide distractions such as music, games, or storytelling to shift their focus away from the needle and onto something positive and enjoyable.
- Positive Reinforcement and Rewards: Celebrate your child’s bravery and resilience with praise, encouragement, and rewards for facing their fears and successfully completing needle procedures. One option is to create a reward system with incentives that motivate and inspire them, such as stickers, small toys, or special outings.
Seeking Professional Support
If your child’s anxiety and needle phobia significantly impact their ability to manage their diabetes or participate in medical care, consider seeking professional support from a mental health therapist or counselor specializing in pediatric anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are evidence-based treatments that can help children gradually overcome their fear of needles and develop healthy coping skills for managing anxiety. We personally tried a couple of session of “ART” therapy.
Closing Thoughts
Living with type 1 diabetes requires courage, resilience, and support. As a parent it is so hard to see our children upset. There were times that it brought me to tears and we would cry together. Looking back I wish I had seeked more support earlier on to make it a bit less traumatizing for us both. Navigating the challenges of needles phobias is difficult and needs compassion for both the child and the caregiver. It is normal for kids and adults to be anxious about getting a needle. Remember that you’re not alone on this journey – reach out to healthcare providers, support groups, and online communities for guidance, encouragement. There are always seeming to be new inventions that may help. If something you are doing is not working try something different!
Doing Diabetes Different 