what if you are afraid to go to the doctor??

[razman]

anyone else in this boat? i would like to go to the doctor for simple check up, just to make sure my symptoms are all manifested by anxiety, but i'm afraid of docs and haven't been to one in YEARS! kinda crazy, but that's what i 'm dealing with, and i'm afraid of meds too...anyone?

[tina martin]

Good grief, yes, am in the same boat. Do manage to get in there once a year or so, say as little as possible. Think I go out of politeness, to keep in touch in case I need him to sign a death certificate.

Am terrified of any hospitalization, all tests out there, and meds. Fortunately I am old, whatever happens, happens. It feels good to express this. So thank you for the opener.

[razman]

oh yeah, hospitals really scare me too....it is good to share and know there are others that feel the same.

[Najl2009]

I am in the same oat, I feel like I'm loosing my mind I feel all the syptoms I'm dealing with is if I fee li I'm choking and running out of breath it's ben going on for a week...my doctors appointment it's until the 30th of July and I'm getting blood work again a physical again and a ekg...just to ake sure it's just my anxiety and extreme mood swings...anyhow thanx for posting....anyone experiencing heavy mood swings...

[samcat]

Count me in too. My panic disorder started after I got braces and two of my cats were dying, so it was constant vet trips and orthodontist trips. So even though I know I have to do it and DO GO, and I am much better at it after years of orthodontic appointments every 3-4 weeks and vet visits, it still gives me some anxiety. My therapist and I have discussed this and he explained the best way to get over a phobia is gradual exposure, but like I told him, you can't really do that at a doctor's office. You either go or you don't go! lol. And being hospitalized scares the wits out of me. Hate meds too. Don't like to go to doctors, dentists, orthodontists or vets! Is this a control thing with us possibly?

I find that the anticipatory anxiety is much worse than the actual experience. I even had an echo stress test before Christmas and it was actually kind of fun once I got there and got on the treadmill. One thing that really helps me is to actually write out that I am going to the doctor for whatever it is, that this is being proactive and taking care of myself and that everyone is somewhat anxious about going to the doctor. If something is wrong, they can hopefully fix it and I can decide whether to take any medicine or not. That gives me a more positive slant on the experience and gives me more feeling of control. And remember, we have to control our fear, and not let it control us because our health is important.

Razman, hope it helps to know plenty of others feel just like you. My husband doesn't even have anxiety and he avoids doctors like the plague, unless he has to go. So do the smart thing--go for a check-up, get a CBC ,a cholesterol check and have them check your thyroid levels and whatever else the doc thinks you need. Blood draws aren't bad--just don't look at the needle. And now is a good time to go--no one has the flu that you can catch. Am I making it sound more positive for you? Hope so!

[razman]

yes Samcat, that does actually help some, and makes sense....guess we gotta do what we gotta do huh? i know i will feel a huge weight lifted once i do it, just afraid i will run outta the docs with my hair on fire, but i do believe that once it is done, my anxiety will be better. and if they find some kind of prob that needs treated, it might be better than living with what my mind has conjured up for quite awhile! ya know?

[samcat]

razman,

You are NOT going to run out of the doctor's office with your hair on fire. lol. Some things to help while you are waiting: do some deep breathing, take your mp3 player or iphone and listen to some soothing music or a relaxation tape of deep breathing--that helps me. You will feel better when you are done because you have faced your stinking fear and won. Like Lucinda says, our minds conjure up anything wild and scary and the anticipatory anxiety is worse than the actual thing.

Good luck--I know you can do it once you set your mind to it and you said yourself a huge weight will be lifted, so that is reason enough right there to do it.

[razman]

thanks samcat....i feel like i might run out of there with my hair on fire! why do we make things worse than they actually are??

[samcat]

razman,

I just wrote you a long answer and the StressCenter.com program glitched when I clicked submit and deleted it. I don't have time to re-do it again tonight, but promise I will write you tomorrow. It will help me to know what lesson you are on, so I don't repeat what you have already learned. It is complicated, but I will explain the answer to your question to you and it will then be clear. Sorry, I didn't realize you are a new member and I was talking to you like you were an old hand.

[razman]

hey samcat...i'm on lesson 4 right now. but, i did this program once before about 10 years ago...i think i kinda raced through it then, and have slipped back into my negative self talk, and high expectations which create a lot of anxiety and probs for me. hope that helps, and thanks, keep your thoughts/advice coming!