A visit to the doctor is something which we all dread. And am not just talking about 5 year olds but I have seen many grown ups who fear and avoid going to the doctor. The idea of a cruel man or a stern lady carrying a stethoscope around their neck and prescribing large doses of huge medicines can send chills to the spine for many. Well, I’m no different. I dodge going to the doctor unless it becomes completely inevitable. And after being forced by family to go and see the doctor I make sure that I am not going there alone.
I mean, a doctor’s place is full of sick people and the doctor will ask me about the problem. How am I supposed to explain? What if he takes out his syringe to puncture my skin and inject the medicine through it? Oh! I don’t want that and I am sure you are afraid of it too. Okay, I think I have exaggerated too much and hey, you can’t evade going to the doctor all your life and one must consult a doctor as soon as they sense a health problem. So, how to overcome this fear? The fear of doctors which is troubling you since you were a kid actually has a scientific term for it, Iatrophobia which can be in the form of a normal anxiety or may take the form of a full blown phobia. Whatever be your situation regarding this, this might help you in getting over it. Here, I have got 10 tips on dealing with this anxiety and overcoming your fear of doctors.
10. Take somebody along
We are often in a habit of looking up to our mom or dad when the doctor asks us about what problem we have. Then our parent or whoever is along us, explains the whole condition and doctor suggests the treatment. So if this is the case with and you don’t feel very comfortable in talking to the doctor about your problem or are simply unable to explain it to them then you must take somebody along whom you can trust and who can calm you. With having somebody in confidence you would not feel much apprehension.....
9. Choose a family doctor
Going to a different doctor every time is not a recommended practice at all. Whereas having a particular doctor for your regular checkups and other health issues can ease up the treatment and recovery from any ailment. Having a family doctor you have known for a long time benefits your health as s/he is well aware of your whole medical history and can provide you with the best and most suitable treatment. Going to one particular doctor can help in overcoming the fear as you gain a trust over that person and are well aware of their capabilities, so you have got no reason to worry.
8. Befriend your doctor
As I said having a chosen family doctor is favourable for one’s recovery and it is not just physically but it can also provide you a quicker psychological rehabilitation. Knowing your doctor enables you to share your complication in detail so that they can come up with a satisfactory therapy. You don’t feel shy or insecure around them and it also gives the doctor a sense of confidence and ease to guide you and medicate you the way your health requires.
7. Trust your doctor
Your doctor is a person to whom you are delegating the most vital thing of you, your health and might be your life too. Untill and unless you are not completely sure and confident that your life is in good hands, you can’t be carefree. You need to realize that the person who is supposed to provide you with treatment has probably spent 5-10 years of his/her life studying medical and then in medical practices. And s/he is not there just for the sake of it. You got to trust that person and let them help you.
6. Know your symptoms
This is a pretty obvious thing. Unless you don’t observe your symptoms sincerely you can not tell your doctor about them and they won’t be able to prescribe you the required medication. Going to the doctor and being unable to talk can root from the fact that you yourself have not ascertained the symptoms you are experiencing and what disease they can be associated with. Therefore, one should always be well aware of the symptoms and the time since they first noticed them, so that they can tell the doctor about them.
5. Know what medicines suit you
Ever got an allergic reaction to a particular medicine which made you fear the doctor who prescribed it to you? Well, it isn’t the doctor who was at fault but your lack of knowledge. Knowing what treatments work for you and what might cause allergies or other side effects is very important. Some people can’t take allopathic medicines and develop rashes because of it whereas for some, homeopathic medicines do not seem to be effective at all and they have to rely upon allopathic only. Therefore knowing about the various medications and which one works best for you might help you in overcoming the fear.
4. Know your medical history
One should always be well aware of their own body and the complications associated with it. Having regular check ups and keeping an organized record of all the reports, helps in knowing your problem better and the way to communicate it to your doctor. Once you know why you are at the clinic and going by your medical history how usual or rare is your current ailment you will be able to deal with the doctor and the situation more maturely.
3. Be determined about the treatment
We often get to hear about cases where a person survived cancer after everybody lost hope for them. Yes, determination can do wonders. And recovery from a fatal disease or a supposedly scary doctor cannot trouble you much if you are determined to regain your health. Before going to the doctor, make up your mind that you need to get through this, overcome the fear, battle the disease and be perfectly fit and fine. And your doctor is just going to help with that.
2. They mean no harm
Being a doctor is one of the most noble professions in this world. A doctor does not discriminate a patient on any grounds and is always prepared to cater them with the finest possible treatment. There is absolutely no way that a doctor can mean harm to you. And come on! Am sure s/he does not have a vampire’s teeth to scare you off! You got to believe that going to the doctor cannot be that bad. Talking about worst case scenario, they will just list out a long medication or series of treatments but that is just because they want you healthy. Or if you are scared about your tooth getting pulled by that evil being, then let me tell you, mankind has already discovered anesthesia and you do not need to worry about any excruciating pain!
1. Shed inhibitions
There is nothing you shall hide from your doctor and having any sort of insecurities or inhibitions about revealing your problem to a doctor is totally senseless. If you feel shy or uncomfortable about telling Mr Doc what you are experiencing then you need to know that unless they are well informed about your condition they cannot help you. If you feel that having a disease is a sign of being weak or why you are the one who has to suffer then just go and Google how many people are suffering from it and how many are suffering from problems even uglier from yours. A doctor is never going to judge you and will be genuinely there to help.
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