The power of the mind shall overcome!

Heres a confession:

Im terrified of needles.

Just the thought of a needle puncturing my skin makes me a little faint. I would for the lack of a better term have a phobia of needles. For a long time Ive just lived with the fact that I dont do well with needles. Since Im not a very sickly person I never have to get shots so in the end its always worked out.

Having spent a fair amount of time in hospitals (visiting) and in vets offices (taking the dogs in) I have been exposed to a fair amount of needles lately. So have decided I am going to overcome my fear of needles using only the shear power of my mind. No hypnosis, no doctors, no crazy drugs from the pharmacy, no psychotherapy; just me training my mind to put aside its fear of needles. My ultimate goal is to go give blood something I couldnt possibly fathom doing now.

I havent figured out how I plan on doing it but I figure Im going to phase needles into my life. First I plan on visiualizing in my minds eye, needles sticking me. Ill also try to recall in vivid detail previous times Ive gotten shots (there are not many but I hope its enough to make it through). Second Ill begin recording a bunch of medical shows and watching the needle sticking scenes. I usually turn away because it just completely creeps me out when the close up of the needle goes in is shown on the screen. I dont know where Ill go from there or how long it will take but I hope this helps.

I guess my goal is to prove to myself that the power of my mind is greater then the stimuli which act on it. The definition of a phobia is an irrational or illogical fear of an object or thing and I cant stand that I have an irrational fear. I dont want to get to LIKE needles I just want to be able to tolerate them.