Fear of doctors!

Limpie

lostinrates wrote: »

Iatrophobia.

Iatrophobia? That's totally a different word I've heard. Thank you for that!
Well thankfully I never had that phobia. But I remember when I was a kid I wanted to go with my mum wherever she wanted to go. Then my mum used to say I'm going to doc and if you come with me then the doc will inject a BIG needle on your butt. And that used to work lol. We all kid were like no mommy we better stay at home.

Sandhy

I'm another one who doesn't ever go the doctors. My last visit was about 20 years ago! I'm also guilty of ignoring the pestering and patronising 'invitations'.
There's been a couple of times I've needed to but I firstly I can't stand the battle of getting an appointment, then the 3 week wait to be seen. I then get to panic attack stage and cancel. Needless to say I have a good work record as I never take time off and I've soldiered on when really ill at times.
I'm sort of ok with the opticians and dentist though.

Georgiegirl256

hazyjo, the puff in the eye thing always gets me too. When you think about it, it's such a simple thing, but last time I had it I near enough had a panic attack. My Mam sat outside and I went in, heart beating so fast, and everytime they went to do it I pulled away. Next thing I know the tears are rolling down my face and this feeble voice (mine) was like "Mam", no answer "Maaamm", no answer (voice getting louder!) "Maaaaaammm can you come in here please?!"

Can't believe I've just admitted to that! When I think of what my poor Mam has gone through over the years, and I freaked out over an eye test! That's the thing with fears though, they sometimes can be irrational and try as you might, you can't help being scared.

Daisiegg, that's interesting, 70%? Who'd of thought it!

It's like therapy this thread lol! :rotfl:

hazyjo

Haha Georgiegirl - I'm still debating whether to take BF in with me or whether to play the 'chatty confident person' when I walk in (make-up and 'confident clothes' help me greatly!). If the BF is with me, I'm sure I'll just be clinging onto his hand, crying and reverting to childhood.

All it will take to get me in tears will be one stupid question though (they'll ask about my history and I say I'm adopted and sometimes that starts me off cos I think about my dad) - and I can see me doing a 'you' and calling for the BF to come in and give me a cuddle/hold my hand.

I'm actually starting to sympathise with the poor doctors now lol.

Jx

daisiegg

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Daisiegg, that's interesting, 70%? Who'd of thought it!

It's like therapy this thread lol! :rotfl:

I hasten to emphasise it is a very unscientific 70% purely based on my sister's observations after spending probably a combined total of around 9 months in GP surgeries over the years of her training! Not a proper study or anything lol.

Did you know trainee doctors have to do pretend consultations with actors so they can practise things like dealing with a crying patient, or breaking bad news, etc? I always think it sounds like quite an interesting job! My sister was once talking to the actors and they were saying that week they were at the medical school but next week they were off to be angry farmers for the trainee vets!

Georgiegirl256

hazyjo wrote: »

Haha Georgiegirl - I'm still debating whether to take BF in with me or whether to play the 'chatty confident person' when I walk in (make-up and 'confident clothes' help me greatly!). If the BF is with me, I'm sure I'll just be clinging onto his hand, crying and reverting to childhood.

All it will take to get me in tears will be one stupid question though (they'll ask about my history and I say I'm adopted and sometimes that starts me off cos I think about my dad) - and I can see me doing a 'you' and calling for the BF to come in and give me a cuddle/hold my hand.

I'm actually starting to sympathise with the poor doctors now lol.

Jx

Agree about the make up and confident clothes, they can help a great deal in just making you feel better about yourself.

I can be confident and out going and not afraid to say what I want to say, but I can also be like you mention above, and in certain circumstances I can be very emotional. People think I'm hard faced sometimes (case being....because I didn't cry at my wedding vows), but then I can cry at an advert for a donkey sanctuary (or an eye test!)...things like that. :rotfl:

Tbh, I think a lot of my fear of doctors/hospitals/opticians stems from childhood and so therefore I think personally I probably am better off going to these places on my own....then I can't call my Mummy, Daddy or Hubby in!

lostinrates

hazyjo wrote: »

Haha Georgiegirl - I'm still debating whether to take BF in with me or whether to play the 'chatty confident person' when I walk in (make-up and 'confident clothes' help me greatly!). If the BF is with me, I'm sure I'll just be clinging onto his hand, crying and reverting to childhood.

All it will take to get me in tears will be one stupid question though (they'll ask about my history and I say I'm adopted and sometimes that starts me off cos I think about my dad) - and I can see me doing a 'you' and calling for the BF to come in and give me a cuddle/hold my hand.

I'm actually starting to sympathise with the poor doctors now lol.

Jx

Where possible I go with DH. Mainly because I have impaired memory but because stress makes this worse, and having him with me means he is more like.y to remember this.

I also find it offsets my paranoia a little.

hazyjo

daisiegg wrote: »

My sister was once talking to the actors and they were saying that week they were at the medical school but next week they were off to be angry farmers for the trainee vets!

Hahaha that's hilarious. I'd never keep a straight face. In fact I would get the terrible giggles as would sit there going 'oooar oooar' putting on a stupid so-called farmer's accent (and sounding more like a pirate). What a brilliant job though

Jx

hazyjo

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Agree about the make up and confident clothes, they can help a great deal in just making you feel better about yourself.

I can be confident and out going and not afraid to say what I want to say, but I can also be like you mention above, and in certain circumstances I can be very emotional. People think I'm hard faced sometimes (case being....because I didn't cry at my wedding vows), but then I can cry at an advert for a donkey sanctuary (or an eye test!)...things like that. :rotfl:

Tbh, I think a lot of my fear of doctors/hospitals/opticians stems from childhood and so therefore I think personally I probably am better off going to these places on my own....then I can't call my Mummy, Daddy or Hubby in!

I'm sure we said we were sisters before. I'm starting to believe it lol.

I am the same (yes, even the donkey ads). But I did cry at both my weddings. Was covered in blotches (lovely) and cried buckets. Could just about get the words out. Completely traumatic both times (never again!).

I hate attention on me. I make the odd little quip and am fine with that, but when I realise I'm more than a couple of lines into a story in a group, I get a bit flustered and start feeling extremely self aware. I think that plays a part in the docs too. Lots of contributing factors. Also, because I'm a coper generally, the thought of saying in front of a doctor 'I'm not coping' or 'I don't feel well' is totally alien to me. I'm not very good at asking for help. I will defend myself to the hilt, but I'm very much of the 'get on with it' brigade. I can analyse it, but I can't change it.

Jx

lostinrates

hazyjo wrote: »

. Also, because I'm a coper generally, the thought of saying in front of a doctor 'I'm not coping' or 'I don't feel well' is totally alien to me. I'm not very good at asking for help. I will defend myself to the hilt, but I'm very much of the 'get on with it' brigade. I can analyse it, but I can't change it.

Jx

This I strongly identify with.

But your body is NOT coping if you fall ill! and a refusal to deal with it isn't coping, its a failure to cope.

I tackle this by coming up with coping strategies.

E.g. ATM with investigations into a potential new issue I am researching the symptoms and looking back over my history and chronicling where I believe they do or do not apply. In a consultation I will find this very hard because I will be stressed and forgetful. In preparation I am able also to find pictures which document changes of somethings, and take pictures of bits that show what might be symptoms intermittently for the consultants to look at , rather than rely on my descriptions.

My way of looking at it is I need to make the process as efficient as possible, and in an make it easier for my self and which ever doctor is diagnosing or treating or monitoring me.


I cannot diagnose, but I can make it easier for them to see whether or not its a possibility the suspicion is right.