How To Stop Being Afraid Of Seeing Your Doctor 

No one really wants to go to the doctor. Even when everything goes well, going to the doctor can be a pain. You have to find a good appointment time, sit in a boring waiting room, and hope there aren't any extra fees at the end. But going to the doctor is more than just an inconvenience for some people. Their anxiety at the doctor's office makes them feel very upset, and they may even skip appointments because of it.

Does this sound like you? If just thinking about making a doctor's appointment makes you break out in a cold sweat, keep reading to learn how to stop being so scared.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Take Someone With You

Bringing a supportive family member or friend to an appointment can help in more ways than one.

A friend or family member can not only be a comforting presence and take your mind off your worries by talking to you, but they can also be an extra set of eyes and ears to advocate for your care or notice important details that you might miss because you are so worried.

Pick The Right Doctor For You

Do your research and choose a doctor whose knowledge and training make you feel at ease. Most clinic websites have pictures of their doctors, as well as information about their specialties, years of experience, where they went to school, and sometimes even their hobbies. If you make an appointment with the doctor of your choice and aren't impressed or feel like you won't get along with them, you can make an appointment with someone else.

Choose A Good Appointment Time

When you make your appointment, choose a time when you're likely to feel most comfortable. For example, if you tend to feel more anxious or stressed in the morning, choose an appointment in the afternoon. Try to avoid times when you might be more stressed, like after a long day of meetings at work.

Put Your Health First 

If you don't want to go to the doctor because you remember being sick in the past, remind yourself that your health comes first, and there will have been a reason for you to make the appointment in the first place. You might feel sick and know you need some help, or perhaps you need to have a pre employment medical so you can start a new job. No matter what, it will be important.

Even if the news is bad, it's better to know and get help than to let your health get worse. If you see a doctor and they can't figure out why you're having symptoms, your doctor can help you figure out if they have anything to do with your mind and point you in the direction of specialists who can help.

Talk About How You Feel

You have an appointment with your doctor to talk about your health, which includes your mental health. A good practitioner wants to know how you feel and how being in their presence makes you feel.

If you are honest with your doctor about your worries, you will have a better relationship with them. This will lead to less stress and better care. Plus, just being honest about how you feel can break the tension and bring the stress back down to a level that you can handle.