Feeling Anxious About Going to the Doctor: 3 Tips to Overcome Doctor Anxiety
It has been one heck of a start to 2024 for me. How has it been for you?
From traveling to sickness to other new/unexpected physical health challenges, it has been tough.
The physical health issues in particular have been difficult. First, it was the stress and anxiety that comes with not knowing what’s going on with your body. Then come the doctor appointments, which are time consuming and sometimes frustrating.
Thankfully, I really like the providers I have, but I know that it can be a completely different experience with providers who you don’t like or trust.
With all of this going on, I decided to write a blog post on a topic that I’ve been thinking about writing about for a long time based on discussions I’ve had with many clients: the anxiety of going to the doctor’s office.
I’ve been seeing my current doctor for the past year. She’s a functional doctor, which is a type of doctor that takes an alternative approach to conventional medicine, and I like her and her approach to health and wellness.
Prior to starting to work with her, I had a doctor who was technically my primary doctor for at least 6 years, and during that time, I saw her less than once per year.
Some of that was due to the pandemic, and the rest of it was due to the fact that there was something about visits with her that I felt uncomfortable with.
She was nice enough, but every time it would get close to my next scheduled appointment, I would reschedule it for another date far into the future.
If any of this sounds relatable, that’s because you’re not alone. This is an important issue to address so that the anxiety doesn’t lead to avoidance of properly caring for your physical health (like it did for me with my previous doctor).
Reasons You Might Feel Anxious
There are many different reasons you might feel anxious about going to a doctor appointment. Here are some of the reasons I’ve heard from clients:
You don’t want to talk to your doctor about your weight
You haven’t been taking your medication as prescribed
You don’t want to call the doctor’s office for appointments, prescription refills, etc.
When you look at these common reasons, along with anxiety, I think they also have common themes of guilt and shame.
Guilt is a feeling that you’ve done something wrong or bad (e.g. didn’t take your medication as prescribed); while shame is a feeling that you are wrong or bad (e.g. talk about your weight).
Keep reading to find three tips that can help you work through this doctor anxiety.
Find a Good Fit
With therapy, we often talk about finding a therapist who is a good fit for you. It’s especially important for therapy because of the nature of our work and how often we meet.
Although, you may only meet with your doctor once per year, finding a doctor who is a good fit for you is just as important.
You never know when you may need to start meeting with them more frequently, and it’ll be more challenging to find a new doctor when you’re dealing with a current health issue or in a crisis situation rather than when you’re seeking routine/preventative care.
Think about the qualities that you want in a doctor and remember those as you “shop around” for a doctor who is a good fit for you.
Some qualities you might look for are:
You feel safe/comfortable with the doctor
You feel like they listen to you and your concerns
You feel like they care
You feel like you can trust them
They are accessible (see next section)
It may be helpful to ask family and friends for possible referrals to their doctors because they’ll have firsthand experience with the providers.
Finding a doctor who is a good fit for you can help mitigate the difficult emotions or conversations that might come up for you when going to or at your doctor appointments.
Find an Office That Is Accessible
By accessible, I mean an office that is reasonably easy to contact for scheduling appointments, getting prescription refills, etc.
It can become a vicious cycle of anxiety and avoidance where you feel anxious about calling the doctor’s office, so you don’t call but that makes you feel more anxious and increases the avoidance behavior and anxiety you’re feeling about it.
I can relate. I much prefer other forms of communication. Not only because I don’t like talking on the phone but also because office phone hours are typically the same hours that many other people are working, as well. If a doctor’s office is open from 9 am - 5 pm and they are only accessible via phone calls, how are we supposed to get in touch with them without playing long games of phone tag?
All of my doctors are accessible via email or Aurora MyChart. I’m accessible to my clients via email, text, or call.
Accessibility in all forms is important when working with clients in any setting.
Process the Emotions in Healthy Ways
Find healthy ways to process the anxiety, guilt, and shame, along with any other emotions you might be feeling around going to the doctor.
There are many ways you can do this, including:
Working with a mental health professional
Journaling and other creative outlets like painting or drawing your emotions
Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
Use self-compassion exercises (self-compassion is a great antidote to shame)
Physical movement outlets like yoga, walking, or any movement that you enjoy and feels good
By processing the emotions in healthy ways, you will be less likely to avoid scheduling appointments for the care that you need and you will feel better overall emotionally.
Final Notes
There are a variety of reasons you might feel anxious about going to doctor appointments.
It’s important to find ways to work through the anxiety, and any other difficult emotions you may be feeling around it, so you don’t avoid seeking and receiving the physical health care you need and deserve.
Finding a doctor who is a good fit, a doctor’s office that is accessible, and processing your emotions in healthy ways can help work through doctor anxiety.
Take The First Step With No Worries Wellness: Anxiety Counseling & Mental Health Services in Wisconsin
If you’re experiencing anxiety that’s interfering with your work, relationships, or daily life, you’re not alone. It is a common struggle, especially for women due to hormonal and environmental factors.
If you're ready to begin forming a healthier relationship with your anxiety and finding more effective ways to manage it, I’m here to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation and discover how I can support you on your journey toward better anxiety and mental health.
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