If you experience doctor anxiety, you might live with iatrophobia. It’s the fear of most medical professionals, including nurses and medical assistants, along with the fear of hospitals, medical buildings and other aspects of medical care.
Iatrophobia isn’t as rare as you might think. Many people experience higher levels of blood pressure and other signs of stress when they visit the doctor. In some rare cases, iatrophobia might drive some people to avoid medical professionals entirely unless there is an emergency. If you get nervous ahead of a doctor’s appointment, know you aren’t alone. Use this guide to learn more about iatrophobia and how you can overcome it.
What does doctor anxiety feel like?
Anxiety manifests itself in many different forms, and you might not be able to identify the signs and symptoms immediately. If you normally don’t deal with anxiety, you might attribute your iatrophobia to another cause. For example, you might think your irritability is caused by traffic on the roads or a stressful meeting you had earlier in the day. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, but here are a few common symptoms:
- A fast or thumping heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Tightness in your chest and throat that makes it difficult to breathe
- Temperature fluctuations where you are either sweating or feel cold
- Sudden aches and pains in your arms, legs, back or head
- Nausea or a churning feeling in your stomach
- Dizziness
- Restlessness or an inability to sit still
- A sudden need to use the toilet
- Irritability or frustration
Even if you find yourself tapping your foot while waiting for the doctor and getting annoyed when they are five minutes late, you might be experiencing anxiety about the appointment.
Physical symptoms of anxiety are so common in medical offices that there is even a term for it: white coat syndrome. This occurs when a person’s blood pressure is higher at the doctor’s office than at home, which is a direct result of their anxiety and stress in the situation.
What causes doctor anxiety?
People experience doctor anxiety for multiple reasons and there might not be a single driver of your stress. There are likely multiple factors that can turn a routine physical into a stressful situation even for the calmest patients. Here are a few sources of iatrophobia.
- Fear of diagnosis: You might be worried that the doctor finds something concerning that could signify a major health problem.
- Potential for judgment: You might be stressed about your doctor judging your lifestyle choices (like your weight, smoking habit or other lifestyle factors). This also applies to parents when they take their kids to the pediatrician.
- Fear of procedures: Some people have had negative experiences with medical procedures in the past (like painful blood draws or dental discomfort) that make them wary of doctors.
- Fear of authority: Some people see doctors as authority figures and don’t want to disappoint them with poor health.
- Worry about cost: Many patients can’t afford medical treatments and don’t want to receive a diagnosis that could lead to costly treatments and medications.
Even if you’re generally a healthy person, you might experience health anxiety where you’re worried that something is wrong with your body. Waiting in a doctor’s office can cause stress if you’re concerned you might have an unknown illness that has gone undiagnosed.
How to deal with anxiety when seeing a doctor
Even if your fear of seeing a doctor is mild, you can still take steps to control your symptoms. Skipping doctor’s visits can prevent them from catching key warning signs that could indicate problems with your health. It’s better to stop minor issues early on before they become major problems. Follow these steps to confront and reduce your doctor’s anxiety.
Be honest with yourself
The first step when dealing with your iatrophobia is to face it head-on. Admit that doctors and medical settings make you nervous, especially if your anxiety is to the point where it impacts your appointments. Learning how to recognize your mental health needs is a big part of seeking help for them.
Too often, people try to suppress their anxiety and put on a brave face. However, ignoring your signs of stress can cause them to build up and overwhelm you. Once you learn to identify and deal with your doctor’s anxiety, you can look for other signs of stress in your daily life.
Schedule your appointment at a good time
Look at your week and consider the best times for you to see the doctor. Choose a time when you’re naturally calm and unlikely to combine existing work and life stressors with your doctor’s anxiety.
For example, some people prefer to schedule medical appointments on Fridays. They take the rest of the day off and treat themselves to a fun activity as a reward. This adds a positive element to a stressful experience. However, other people hate having to wait a whole week to see the doctor and would rather complete the appointment first thing on Monday morning to get it over with.
One of the benefits of booking medical appointments online is that you can look at different available dates and times to choose the perfect option for you.
Ask plenty of questions
One of the best ways to overcome your fear of doctors is to realize they’re people too. Instead of viewing medical professionals as all-knowing authorities, see them as resources to answer your questions and help you learn about yourself.
First, it’s OK to ask embarrassing questions. If you experience stomach discomfort and distress, you can talk about your poop. Your doctor has heard it all before and needs to know what you are experiencing in order to help you.
Next, know that no question is too small. You can ask about a minor pimple or a weird popping in your jaw if it bothers you. The more information you give your doctor, the better they can coordinate your care.
Bring a friend or family member along
When in doubt, tap into your support system. Ask a friend, family member or significant other to attend the appointment with you. They can hold your hand and assure you that everything is going to be OK. You can also talk about your stress and anxiety regarding the appointment with this person.
Talk to a counselor
If your iatrophobia is reaching a point where you don’t feel comfortable in any medical setting, you might benefit from talking with a counselor about your experiences. You could schedule a telehealth appointment on your computer or in person at the therapist’s office.
The goal of therapists and mental health counselors is to help people understand where their anxiety comes from. They will walk you through the process of identifying your symptoms and teach you coping mechanisms to use when times get tough. With these tools, you can build the right skills to meet with a doctor or a dentist for treatment.
Find a specialty doctor
Iatrophobia has become a common condition for many people and some doctors are responding by making their offices more comfortable. Many dentists work to create fun experiences for kids and calming appointments for adults, practicing “zero-anxiety” care. Other doctors are remodeling their offices to create comfortable environments. Instead of overly sterile white walls and tile, they are investing in comfortable chairs, natural light and plants.
Ask your friends for doctor recommendations and research specialty doctors in your area who can help you create a positive association with the medical field.
You aren’t the first person to experience iatrophobia. The fear of doctors is very common, even as most medical professionals are working to help patients overcome it. Know your anxiety symptoms and take steps to feel more comfortable in a medical setting.