5 Ways to Cope If Doctor's Appointments Make You Anxious
Key takeaways:
Many people feel uneasy about seeking medical care. But for some, their fear of going to the doctor is so great that it’s considered a phobia called iatrophobia.
Having a good relationship with your healthcare providers can make it easier to attend medical appointments. So, try to find a provider you can talk to about your worries in advance.
If you’re struggling with iatrophobia and it negatively affects your health, it might be time to get support. Talking to a mental health professional who specializes in anxiety disorders can help.
Having a negative experience with a medical professional can leave a lasting impression. And that impact can make it hard to get medical care in the future. Iatrophobia occurs when a person’s fear of going to the doctor (or any healthcare provider) is so intense that it keeps them from getting the care they need to be healthy.
What exactly is a fear of doctors (iatrophobia)?
Phobias fall under the category of anxiety disorders. They occur when someone has an intense fear of something specific. Their level of worry goes far beyond the actual danger at hand and causes disruption in their daily lives.
Iatrophobia is one such specific phobia. It is known as a fear of doctors. It affects people who experience intense, uncomfortable physical or emotional symptoms surrounding medical care. This phobia causes them to fear and avoid things like routine checkups, tests or bloodwork, or surgeries.
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People living with iatrophobia often experience intense anxiety at the mere thought of attending a medical appointment. Their symptoms can range from intense worry to serious panic.
Coping with your fear of doctors when you have an appointment
If you’re worried about an upcoming medical appointment, know that you’re not alone. Many people, even those without iatrophobia, dislike going to the doctor’s office. Studies even show that in light of the widespread medical trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, these worries have become more common.
Remember that the goal isn’t for you to look forward to these appointments. It’s to help you learn the skills you need to regulate your symptoms enough to feel capable of attending your appointments, especially when medically necessary.
1. Find the right healthcare provider
From bedside manner to approach to care, no two providers are alike. And while one provider is a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they are a fit for you. Keep in mind that you’re a consumer. So, unless you’re in an emergency, you get to choose the right healthcare provider for you.
Research shows your relationship with your provider can have a huge effect on your comfort with getting care. So remember, it’s within your right to ask questions and make sure that your provider can help you navigate your fears about medical treatment.
But how do you vet a possible provider if your worries are keeping you from even thinking about medical care? Now that telemedicine has become very common, there might be ways for you to communicate with a provider before your appointment.
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Some questions you might want to ask them include:
How do you work with people who are anxious about seeking treatment?
Have you worked with any people who struggle with medical phobias?
Are you open to having someone accompany me to my appointment if it helps me feel more comfortable?
In addition to speaking with possible providers to ask questions, try to find one whose office or clinic has a calm environment.
2. Avoid steps that could worsen your symptoms
If you’re not feeling well, it might be tempting to try to diagnose yourself through an internet search to avoid contacting a provider. But reading articles about medical treatment and looking at medical images might cause you to spiral into greater worry. You might end up feeling worse and not get the care you need.
Try to avoid getting around finding medical care in ways that can actually be more triggering. Otherwise, you may end up trying to manage extra anxiety. Where possible, make that call directly to a provider. You can ask a loved one for support while you call.
On a more practical note, it might help to schedule any medical appointments you need to attend at the beginning of the day. That way you won’t spend hours in uncomfortable anticipation. And as you prepare for your appointment, try to avoid any activities that could cause more stress.
3. Prepare for your appointment ahead of time
By taking some time to prepare for an upcoming medical appointment, you can lessen your worries and feel more empowered.
Start by writing down a list of questions you’d like to ask so that you don’t forget anything. You might even consider writing yourself a script so you know exactly what you’d like to say to your provider.
Also, knowing what to expect during an appointment can help you feel much safer when you’re in a vulnerable position. So if you’re unsure of any part of your procedure, ask your provider to check in with you. They can help explain each step along the way. And if you’re uncomfortable with something, it’s OK to let your provider know and ask if they can offer an alternative.
4. Practice mindfulness before, during, and after your appointment
Many people who struggle with phobias find relief in practicing something called mindfulness when faced with a triggering situation.
At its core, mindfulness is about pausing to pay attention to yourself and your surroundings and simply noticing what’s happening without any judgment. It’s an opportunity to slow down the fast pace of daily life and examine what’s true for you in any given moment. By doing this, you can help calm your body’s fear response.
There’s no right or wrong way to practice mindfulness. You can start in a few simple steps:
Pause to notice what’s happening around you. What sights, sounds, tastes, or smells do you detect?
Focus on your breath and notice the sensations of air entering and leaving your body.
Now, draw your attention to what’s happening inside your body. Notice any tension or discomfort and try to release it as you breathe.
5. Be kind to yourself
If you’re feeling frustrated due to your worries about finding medical care, remember that whatever caused you to feel this way isn’t your fault. Your experience is valid, and you deserve whatever time and space you need to attend to your feelings.
What can cause a fear of doctors?
Iatrophobia, the fear of doctors, is a specific phobia that can occur when you associate a specific situation with extreme anxiety. It can stem from having a bad experience with medical care, either for yourself or a loved one.
When something scary or traumatic happens, our brains take note. Then, when anything resembling that fearful experience comes up again, the brain sends out signals that say, “Stop! Stay away from that!” to protect us from what it thinks is dangerous.
This is a survival instinct we all have. And in many cases, it keeps us safe. But sometimes, the response to a scary experience is so intense that our brains need a little help deciphering real from imagined danger about similar experiences in the future.
Some situations that could result in iatrophobia include:
Having a negative experience with a provider in which you didn’t feel seen, heard, or supported
Receiving medical care that did not address your concern or made your condition worse
Having a chronic condition that requires frequent medical care and appointments
A long and/or painful recovery process
Witnessing a loved one struggle due to a painful medical experience
Acting as the caregiver for a loved one in poor health
Losing a friend or family member while they were receiving medical care
Sadly, iatrophobia often prevents people from getting the medical care they need to be healthy. If you think that you or someone you care about might be experiencing iatrophobia, know that help is available. With the right support, people can learn to manage their symptoms so that they can get the medical care they need.
Other reasons you may fear medical care and doctors
Alternatively, some people may fear medical care because they have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or trauma related to a past medical event. This can be the result of a serious diagnosis, an unexpected medical emergency, or forced medical care.
Some individuals from marginalized groups may also fear getting medical care. This is often because of the damaging legacy of institutionalized bias within the medical community that leads to subpar care and medical abuse.
If you have concerns about your provider’s cultural competence, know that it is always within your right to get care from someone who values your experience and listens to your concerns with compassion.
How can you overcome a fear of doctors for good?
If you’re unable to navigate your fear of doctors on your own, speak to a mental health professional. Many providers specialize in treating individuals who struggle with anxiety and phobias like iatrophobia.
When you talk with a therapist or counselor, they can help you learn about the various therapies that have shown to work in helping people with specific phobias.
The first-choice option to treat phobias is often cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure. It helps you understand how your thoughts add to your fear and avoidance of medical care. With the support of your therapist, you learn new ways to face your fears and lessen your symptoms.
In some cases, a prescriber may also recommend medications you can take as needed right before an appointment. These help lower your anxiety temporarily. The medicine propranolol is one such medication.
If you think that you or someone you care about might be experiencing symptoms of iatrophobia, know that help is available. With the right support, people can learn to manage their symptoms so that they can get the medical care they need.
The bottom line
Your health is important. But if your fear of doctors keeps you from getting the medical care you need to be healthy, you might be struggling with iatrophobia.
Luckily, there are some techniques you can use to lessen your worries about going to medical appointments. Try vetting possible providers ahead of time and using mindfulness to calm your nerves in the moment. And if you need extra support, a mental health professional trained in treating phobias and anxiety disorders can help.
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References
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For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
