What is Belonephobia the fear of?

Belonephobia is an unreasonable and altered response due to the fear of needles. It affects up to 10% of the population and has implications for treatment and follow up, especially in the paediatric setting in children as young as 5. A three step behavioural approach involving recognition and relaxation, control and preparation, and graded exposure, can be effective in overcoming belonephobia.

It is a simple phobia. Simple phobias are related to very specific objects or circumstances. In this case, the phobia is specific to needles or other point objects, such as pins. Simple, or specific phobias are the most common type of phobia, and it is a common simple phobia.

Symptoms range from mild uneasiness to a panic attack. They fall under two categories—physical and psychological. The physical symptoms are typical of a fight-or-flight response to fear or danger.

Symptoms include: Inconsolable crying, clinginess, or temper tantrums in children, fainting, nausea, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, shaking, trembling, sweating or clamminess.

Psychological symptoms of include: Avoidance of procedures involving needles, such as blood draws or injections, dread, worry, or sense of impending doom at the prospect of a procedure involving needles. Experts don’t fully understand what causes simple phobias like belonephobia.