If you have a fear of seeing a doctor, you are not alone. One study from the Society of General Internal Medicine showed that 33% of a total of 1,369 participants experienced anxiety about seeking medical care.
And David Yusko, clinical director at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, estimates iatrophobia — the medical name for fear of doctors — affects about 3% of the population.
If you find yourself obsessively worrying about visiting a doctor, you may have iatrophobia, which is separate from “normal” anxiety.
Normal anxiety tends to be transitory in that a person may feel nervous thinking about an upcoming appointment but isn’t consumed with worry about it.
On the other hand, severe iatrophobia may trigger a negative obsession around doctors and medical issues that permeates every thought.
Reasons People Have Anxiety About Seeing a Doctor
There are a variety of reasons why someone might be anxious about seeing a doctor. Yours may include some of the following:
Your doctor is not a good fit for you. If you experience your doctor as being cold, condescending, or aloof, his or her bedside manner may not be a good fit for your personality.
You fear losing control and that your doctor will insist on making all of the decisions concerning treatment.
Physical intimacy is often necessary during a physical examination, and for those who fear invasion of their personal space, this can be anxiety-producing.
You tend to be anxious about the unknown, which makes the idea of awaiting test results seem like an excruciating proposition.
If you’ve experienced doctors being dismissive of symptoms or prone to misdiagnosis in the past, you may have reason to feel anxious about seeking medical treatment now. You may worry a doctor’s unconscious bias could prevent you from getting the care you need and deserve, or that a lack of specialty in a specific area of medicine could make a misdiagnosis more likely. (Research shows that women and people of color are more likely to suffer from this particular fear for good reason.)
Past traumas associated with a doctor’s visit may fuel your anxiety about seeking medical treatment. You may have had symptoms invalidated in the past, or perhaps were shamed by your doctor for not taking advice or for having a particular condition in the first place.
Overcoming Your Anxiety
Thankfully, there are some proven, effective ways to reduce anxiety ahead of a stressful doctor’s appointment.
Do your research. Most practices have a website where you can read up on a physician’s credentials, expertise, and even personal interests. Often, a photo accompanies this information, which may reduce anxiety as you put a face to your treatment provider.
Remember you have options. If you visit a doctor and are underwhelmed or come away with a strong negative impression, you can always choose another provider. You are the patient, and it’s your prerogative to select the physician that’s the best fit for you.
Once you’ve selected a provider, make an appointment. Don’t procrastinate or drag your feet as it can feel even scarier as your obsession has more time to take root. Consider making the appointment for a time of day when you typically feel the least stressed. Some people wake up with severe anxiety, for example, and so making an early morning doctor’s appointment probably isn’t the best idea.
Practice mindful meditation, which has been proven to strengthen a person’s cognitive ability to regulate emotional responses to perceived threats. It can help bring us back to the moment instead of obsessing about the future and reminds us to breathe deeply so that we break the cycle of shortened breath that can accompany (and feed) anxiety.
Plan to take a friend or family member with you to the appointment. Not only can they be a second set of ears for you, but they can also reassure you if you start to spin out. They can help you maintain perspective and hold your hand as you move through your anxiety. They can also help keep you from downplaying your symptoms during the initial interview.
Remember Google is not your friend if you have anxiety about seeing a doctor. For just about every benign symptom you may have, there are articles and articles written about how these same symptoms can be evidence of a larger — even life threatening — illness. Your doctor is the only one who should be diagnosing and treating your medical issues!
Remember that you are partners with your doctor in managing your own health. Most providers view treatment as a partnership between themselves and their patients. They want your perspective, input, and feedback. If you feel your doctor is pushing a particular therapy that makes you uncomfortable, remember you can always seek a second opinion.
Finding The Right Provider
When researching providers, don’t hesitate to explain that you have iatrophobia or acute anxiety about seeing a doctor. A good physician should be understanding, empathetic, and help put you at ease.
The professional, friendly urologists at Norman Urology can help you feel less anxious about making an appointment and are focused on creating a partnership with you on your pathway to health and wellbeing.
If you’re experiencing anxiety about booking an appointment, we’d love to put your mind at ease and help you schedule one with us today.