Most people don't particularly enjoy going to see the doctor. Its not at all unusual to feel a bit nervous or even anxious about an upcoming doctor's appointment. However, if your anxiety is severe enough that you fear you'll have a panic attack or bail on the appointment completely, that's a bigger problem that you really do need to address. Here are some ways you can overcome and learn to better moderate anxiety related to visiting the doctor's office.
Visit the office when you don't have an appointment.
For many patients who have anxiety at the doctor, the feelings actually stem from concerns about the exam or the procedure they are about to have. However, they associate the physical space of the doctor's office with the procedure, and so even being in the doctor's office makes them nervous.
You can calm down some of this anxiety by visiting the doctor's office a few times when you don't have an appointment. Walk into the reception area, greet the receptionist, and maybe even sit in the waiting room for a few minutes. Do this a couple of times until you can get through this part of the routine without feeling too anxious. This way, on the day of your actual appointment, all of these actions leading up to the actual exam or procedure will be very familiar and less apt to trigger your anxiety.
Call and ask questions.
Doctor-related anxiety is usually caused or made worse by questions that keep rumbling through your head as your appointment approaches. You may wonder whether a certain procedure will hurt. You may wonder what the doctor will do, or what they will ask you. You can put so much of this anxiety to bed by just calling the doctor's office and asking these questions prior to the appointment. Simply having some answers can stop your mind from racing, so you're able to walk into your appointment with a calmer disposition.
Hire a therapist.
If you're having panic attacks or are on the verge of having a panic attack, it is a good idea to call a therapist. They can work with you in their office, using talk therapy, to figure out what's at the heart of your anxiety and how to best handle it. They may also be able to accompany you to the doctor's office for some exposure therapy, helping you work out some of your anxiety on-site before your actual doctor's visit.
Don't let anxiety keep you from visiting the doctor's office. There are ways to work through these feelings so you can get the help you need.
