- 09 Dec, 2025 *
My battle with trypanophobia (fear of needles) has been a long and arduous one. I can remember thinking as a child that this fear would be way behind me by the time I get to age 40. Here I am, almost 45, and things have compounded.
This post is going to be a walk through of my experience going to the ARTC (Anxiety Research and Treatment Clinic) in Hamilton, Ontario to continue my battle with trypanophobia.
Some recent background. In the past 5 years I’ve done two rounds of exposure therapy. This has been the only relevant treatment suggested by just about everyone, and believe me, I’ve talked to every …
- 09 Dec, 2025 *
My battle with trypanophobia (fear of needles) has been a long and arduous one. I can remember thinking as a child that this fear would be way behind me by the time I get to age 40. Here I am, almost 45, and things have compounded.
This post is going to be a walk through of my experience going to the ARTC (Anxiety Research and Treatment Clinic) in Hamilton, Ontario to continue my battle with trypanophobia.
Some recent background. In the past 5 years I’ve done two rounds of exposure therapy. This has been the only relevant treatment suggested by just about everyone, and believe me, I’ve talked to every resource available. In my last intake meeting my diagnosis was upped some to a severe phobia and medication may be required for acute exposures (blood draws, inoculations, etc.)
1:48pm The question is - what dosage of meds will do it for me? Today’s appointment is testing this... 2mg of Ativan here I come. I better get ready. My appointment is at 2.
1:53pm Almost there... feeling... good 👍
1:57pm Waiting room.... good 👍
2:00pm Still waiting... good 👍
2:15 2mg Ativan under the tongue.
3:18pm 2mg Ativan. Felt awkward and anxious throughout the entire appointment.
Looks like this is the uneventful end of this episode of Trypanoh-nophobia. See you next time when I take on 3mg!
[#fear of needles](https://keepingitsimple.bearblog.dev/blog/?q=fear of needles) #trypanophobia