Fear of Doctors-HELP!

suzzie · Post by **suzzie** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:19 pm

Anyone out there who is terrified of going to the doctors. This is the worst part of my anxiety. I have such fears and what ifs, that I just drive myself crazy. I'm afraid even to get a blood test, what if they find something wrong with me? I could go on and on. If someone has something wrong, I just know I have it also. Any help or ideas to help me get past this, please let me know, but don't tell me just go to the doctor, I'm way to scared to do this right now. I need ideas to help me get to the point of actually feeling a little better about going. HELP!!!!! Suzzie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:40 pm

This is one of my big fears also. One thing i would suggest, and what i'm doing now also, is trying to find the "right" doctor for you. Maybe ask friends or co workers if they like their doctor and why. I think if i could find one that i was comfortable with, much of the anxiety would go away - Julie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:42 pm

I have found that going to the doctor during a time of day when I am usually calm works for me. Mid to late afternoons work for me because if I am busy at work, I stay distracted and more calm. Also, I used to have this idea that doctors had some sort of super sensing power that they could just "tell" what was wrong. That was scary instead of reassuring for me. I have realized over the years that doctors are people too, and very human. Realizing that helped me relax and trust the best that they could provide. Finally, it is nice to go to the doctor just for a routine checkup. Only going when I was sick made a pattern of negativity. Making a point to schedule "well checkups" breaks that pattern for me.
One last thing, once you find a doctor that you can work with, stick with them and always ask for them. That familiarity really helps!
Good luck!
Darb

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:06 am

Being agoraphobic,I haven't left my house in many years. I have a successful hair salon in my home, have grocieries and on-line shopping delivered to my door. I also have a doctor who makes house calls and I don't have to worry about going to his office. Any tests or bloodwork is taken right here and anxiety free. Try to find a doctor in your area who makes house calls...you will be happy at the result! Most of them who understand anxiety will work with you any way they can!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:34 am

Suzzie,
Do you have body symptoms that you are worried about currently? Is that why you are bringing up that you are scared of doctors? Have you done the program?

stargazer · Post by **stargazer** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:40 am

LMM,
No, I don't have any symptoms at all. I go to a chiropractor/natural medicine who tells me I'm fine. Its just that anything I hear of someone having something wrong, I start obsessing about me getting it, or dying of some horrible disease. Then it ruins my entire day. Sometimes I'll just cry most of the day,from fear. I try positive talk as much as I can, but still can't shake this one. I have done very well overcoming other anxiety problems with the StressCenter.com, just not this. Suzzie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:08 am

well,
I am a confirmed hypochondriac, and a while ago i was paralyzed with fear during the day that i was dying from my physical symptoms. I am also very suggestible to others diseases. But, now, the difference is for me, that i don't let my mind go thru the worst case scenario - i let teh scary thought (which is exactly what you have) be there, then i distract, distract either with an activity or sing loud. I also have been helped by time passing and knowing that i am still here. I am just another person with anxiety, but it seems to me that you will still be scaring yourself to death until you face the thing that is scaring you - by avoiding it, you are perpetuating the 'what if'. My challenge is a little different. I go to too many doctors and i have to "break" the habit of going to get test to make myself feel better. Let me know what you think of what i am saying -am i making sense?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:20 am

You certainly do make sense! We're both feeling the same fears, yet going to opposite extremes with it. I think if we continue with positive self talk, feeling the fear, instead of running from it, and keep working on changing the way we think, we'll finally come out of this mess. Keep in touch,let me know any new ideas on how to overcome our fear of this. I just ordered a book called Been there, Done that, Do this. I was reading another post the other day and people were saying how much it has helped them. so I am so looking forward to getting it and reading it. suzzie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:10 am

i agree. i will keep you posted as well. I too have done well with all other aspects of the program and this 'hypo'thing has always been my problem spot. I asked my coach whether she can cure it thru the skills in the program and she says 'definately', but i am not where i want to be yet!