I am pretty much like Gene on this issue. I do agree with his advice though. Otften just by telling the doctor I am scared, I fel a lot better. I also find bringing my MP3 player helps. I bring books for the waiting room. I find writting down my fears and challenging them helps too. Please feel free to come vent and discus this with us anytime!
Fear of doctors! I am petrified of them! Just kidding but I get very nervous when they are serious stuff. Going to see a doc because I have a runny nose doesn't bug me but going to see one about heart conditions or something freaks me out. A few months ago I had to go to see a cardiologist after I had a funny ecg reading. I spent weeks agonising about going for the check-up. My therapist gave me a great piece of advise, however, be honest. Tell the doctor up front that you are afraid of doctors that you have panic attacks etc and I guarantee you they will be supportive. Who cares what they think anyway?
By doing that I was ok. I was really nervous but it was ok. I asked the doctor if I could have an alzam (valium) and he said it would be fine and wouldn't affect the results of the stress ecg and echocardiogram.
Tell the dentist about being afraid of being trapped in his chair or whatever it is that you are worried about. Allot of our fears have their basis from worries of social embarrassment. By telling the dentist/doctor about your issues you are eliminating the embarrassment because the fear then falls under your control. You will be facing the "worst case scenario" head on by telling the doc that you have issues and therefore you are in control.
Welcome to our wonderful support community. If you are looking for people who understand your fears and who are extremely helpful and supportive, you have come to the right place. We are here to help and support you no matter what. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with and read the program, and to explore the tools and resources that are available to you through this site.
I looking for someone who understands my fear of dentists and doctors. I am feeling so trapped right now by upcoming appointments and feel like no one around me understands. I have been to a therapist but it seems to have been no help. I am feeling frustrated and afraid. Just the thought of an upcoming dentist appointment has stopped me from sleeping, I try not to think about it but it occupies me day and night. It is starting to deeply affect my marriage because the only way I know how to handle this is to shutdown and all that does is push my husband away. I feel like I should not be burdening him with my problems. Does anyone understand?
