I DID IT! I got the covid vaccine. I've had extreme needlephobia for most of my life, but it felt irresponsible to skip this one. Let me tell you how I overcame it. CW: Descriptions of bad experiences with needles. 1/pic.twitter.com/ZLiaHA3MUa
Game designer at @romerogamesltd , @imirt_ie board member and mentor at @TabletopMentor.
Designing videogames by day and boardgames by night. He/Him
You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more
Add this Tweet to your website by copying the code below. Learn more
Add this video to your website by copying the code below. Learn more
By embedding Twitter content in your website or app, you are agreeing to the Twitter Developer Agreement and Developer Policy.
| Country | Code | For customers of |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 40404 | (any) |
| Canada | 21212 | (any) |
| United Kingdom | 86444 | Vodafone, Orange, 3, O2 |
| Brazil | 40404 | Nextel, TIM |
| Haiti | 40404 | Digicel, Voila |
| Ireland | 51210 | Vodafone, O2 |
| India | 53000 | Bharti Airtel, Videocon, Reliance |
| Indonesia | 89887 | AXIS, 3, Telkomsel, Indosat, XL Axiata |
| Italy | 4880804 | Wind |
| 3424486444 | Vodafone | |
| » See SMS short codes for other countries | ||
This timeline is where you’ll spend most of your time, getting instant updates about what matters to you.
Hover over the profile pic and click the Following button to unfollow any account.
When you see a Tweet you love, tap the heart — it lets the person who wrote it know you shared the love.
The fastest way to share someone else’s Tweet with your followers is with a Retweet. Tap the icon to send it instantly.
Add your thoughts about any Tweet with a Reply. Find a topic you’re passionate about, and jump right in.
Get instant insight into what people are talking about now.
Follow more accounts to get instant updates about topics you care about.
See the latest conversations about any topic instantly.
Catch up instantly on the best stories happening as they unfold.
I DID IT! I got the covid vaccine. I've had extreme needlephobia for most of my life, but it felt irresponsible to skip this one. Let me tell you how I overcame it. CW: Descriptions of bad experiences with needles. 1/pic.twitter.com/ZLiaHA3MUa
Needlephobia has been a constant throughout my life. One of my earliest memories is trying to hide under a doctor's desk to avoid a vaccine. It didn't work. All but one of my experiences with vaccines were traumatic, and the fear ramped up every time. 2/
It got much worse when I started going to the dentist, where I immediately had to get an anesthetic shot to remove a tooth. Did you know that anesthesia does not work if you're too stressed out? I learned it that day. They ignored the screaming and went through with it. /3
The fear grew to the point of having what was described as "seizures" any time I needed to get an injection. I regained conscience not too long after and was always disappointed to find that the doctors won't do anything when you're in that state. /4
To me that was the most distressing part. Having no control over how my body was going to react, scaring the doctors/dentists, and leaving without any work done, only to come back and go through it again. And again. This didn't feel rational, so I had no idea where to start. 5/
This last year was tough. Needles have been everywhere in the media, in every feed, in every conversation. I was always on high alert. I couldn't avoid it this time. Taking this vaccine is the right thing to do, not only for myself but for those around me. Time to change. 6/
At the start of this year I did some research and decided to try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is an oversimplification but at its core you have to analyze your mental process to see where and why it goes haywire. Then you have to reprogram your brain. 7/
This next step is hard to swallow. Most of it happens through exposure. By (safely) being put in stressful situations and realizing that it wasn't so bad in the end. With a topic that depends on medical equipment, (during a pandemic!), there aren't many opportunities. 8/
So step one was to demystify needles and injections. My partner (thank you so much!) put together a slideshow of photos from single needles to them being used in hospital environments, to eventually a video of injections. Things that would always make me avert my gaze. 9/
Good question, I hadn't thought of that! I believe that would be fine.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.