Chemotherapy infusions. Hemodialysis for kidney failure. Diabetes insulin injections. If you have a chronic illness, it can feel like every potentially lifesaving test or treatment requires a needle.

A fear of needles, or trypanophobia, can be debilitating. This fear keeps countless people from getting blood tests, having dental work, and receiving potentially lifesaving vaccines. “When I was 5 ...

My fear of needles comes from when I was 9 or 10, I was making shag angels in my grandparent's carpet, and I found a needle. It drove itself into my wrist, and hit bone, and had to go to the hospital ...