ontheedgeofeverything

I consider myself rather fortunate in the sense I’ve never been someone who experiences anxiety toward the medical realm. That is not to suggest I enjoy seeing doctors for whatever reason, because I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite past time; rather, whenever I do have to see a doctor or undergo some sort of test, I’m not normally worried or anxious. I figure my best bet to maintain a clear head is to place my trust in the doctor or doctors I am seeing, but I do absolutely understand that plenty of people have no faith in anything medical because of previous poor experiences.

I’ve had my fair share of shitty doctor experiences, much like anyone else. Without being attacked by anyone here online, I will say that most of the poor encounters I’ve had with medical professionals stem from the fact that I am a woman, and that is a whole other matter to discuss. But, I can absolutely sympathize with anyone who does experience medical anxiety, regardless of what you identify as, and being fearful of something we are socially conditioned to trust and believe in can be a very isolating and depressing experience.

I participated in a group therapy program a few years ago now. The program was intended to assist individuals living with anxiety, in all forms, and there was one individual in my group that struggled with medical anxiety. Prior to enrolling in this program, I had zero familiarity with anyone who experiences medical anxiety, but through conversation with this person, I learned a lot about it, and furthermore, how debilitating it can be.

As troubling as medical anxiety is, there are ways to attempt to calm the dread and cope with it to a more effective degree. Take a look at the following information if you’re someone who deals with medical anxiety.

“We all get a bit nervous about seeing the doctor. You never quite know what they’re going to say, whether you’re going for a routine check up or you want new symptoms investigated, and it’s this uncertainty that can get in your head. 

“For some people it’s simply too much, and the anxiety around attending a medical appointment means regular cancelations, rescheduling, and leaving after just a couple of minutes in the waiting room. 

“But you don’t have to be at the mercy of this fear forever. Attending a health appointment is key to living a healthy life, and even when everything is telling you to leave, it’s best to stand your ground and go through with it.  

“Bring Someone Along

“It’s always going to be OK to bring someone you know along to support you during an appointment. This person can hold your hand, offer comforting words, and speak up when you find it hard to do so. 

“Indeed, if you struggle to be your own health advocate, and that’s something that terrifies you when you’re in the middle of a health appointment, rely on someone you know and trust to do the hard work for you. It’s not a bad thing to need an accommodation like this, and if the office has a counterproductive policy, go somewhere else. 

“Ask for Clarification About What’s Going to Happen During the Appointment

“It’s OK to need more information. You can only make informed decisions about your health when you know all the facts on offer. That’s why you should ask for clarification whenever you don’t quite know what’s going on or feel like you’re being railroaded into agreeing to something. 

“Even something as routine as dental implants services should be an involved and comfortable process for you. Ask your dentist what implants are needed, when they’ll be ready, and what you should know about getting used to living with them. Even if it feels like a silly question, ask it and get an answer in plain terms! 

“It’s Better to See a Doctor Than Miss the Appointment

“That really is the simple truth of it. When you see a medical professional, you take control over your health and put some power back into your hands. Even if you don’t want to be there, it’s better for your health to see the appointment through and find out everything possible about what’s going on under the skin. 

“Of course, you can always tell the doctor or the dentist that you’re nervous and you need a bit more support from them. If there’s no one there with you because a friend couldn’t come along, you can even ask for a chaperone from the office itself. Whatever it is that you’re worried about, you can tell your physician about what’s going on in your head. 

“If you have fear around visiting the medical world, use the tips above to beat the anxiety and let yourself focus on your good health again.”

Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash