Needle phobia
I have a violent phobia of needles. Shots. I cannot see them on TV, I cannot be in the room when a loved one is getting an injection, I haven't had my blood drawn in years, I cannot even bare seeing a cartoon needle. If I walk into a doctor's office, the anxiety starts - even if I know that I'm seeing a doctor for a purpose that doesn't result in needles. I have panic attacks, I cry uncontrollably even well after it's over, I sometimes faint... I almost lose control of myself and will say things without thinking. I haven't always had this phobia. Like many people, there was a time where I just didn't like them, but I was able to get beyond it and even gave blood a couple times.
I was seeing a psychiatrist for a long time who believes my fear of needles stems from a fear of being powerless. This may explain why I have no problems getting tattoos. My husband thinks it's related to how my ex-boyfriend died from a drug overdose. I don't know, but I need help because this is preventing me from getting medical treatment (blood tests, for example). In recent months, I discovered that my psychiatrist was not a very good one and we never discussed any methods for overcoming my phobia.
Is there hope for overcoming phobias? How do we work on this? My husband thinks that because my phobia was something that developed later in my life that it is something I can overcome somehow.
Also, it's so frustrating when I tell someone I have a needle phobia and they respond, "well, I don't like needles either." So many people just don't understand.
@Iloveparis
I'm really not qualified to speak on behalf of a needle phobia but since I've had so many shots and needles from surgeries and many many medical procedures, I thought I'd chime in. When I read through your post, my first thought was that you may have an unconscious fear of dying from medical procedures that require injections or needles. Since you had a friend who died from a drug overdose, it only makes sense. Even people who have had tons of procedures that require needles, like myself, feel uneasy when going through them. It's a primal fear to be afraid of needles but when it causes Panic attacks and fainting, I'm sure that must be horribly frightening.
When I was younger, I had a fear of needles too. I know that I also had a fear of dying from it, although it wasn't as intense as yours. One thing that I used to do the day before my appointment, and on the day of is constantly remind myself that I wouldn't die and that getting this procedure done would help me. I know that sounds very simple but logically thinking about it helped. I also would try to eat and drink before (if you can) since that can affect your body. Another helpful idea could be bringing a potpourri pouch, similar to this as lavender is good for anxiety. I'd also research breathing exercises to release some of the tension and anxiety while you wait in the doctor's office.
I know these are all temporary bandages but hopefully it will help some of the anxiety and fear you experience. Take care! 
xx
Thank you for your replies. I will look into all of your suggestions. I'm willing to try anything that could lead me to better health! Unfortunately, I've tried breathing exercises and the self-talk method, but, since I seem to lose control of myself, it does not work very well in my case... I hope to seek professional treatment as soon as medical coverage is available to me.
I know this was posted a while ago but wanted to say it was like reading exactly how I feel. Did you ever find anything that worked?