In our modern world, we often have little direct experience with death, and we don't like to talk about the subject when it comes up. Unfamiliarity with death and the fear of pain are two big reasons why doctors, dentists, and nurses scare us, especially as young children.
We go to the doctor when we're sick, recovering from illness, or after a physical injury. Coupled with a shot and blood, seeing the doctor is associated with negative feelings and bad times.
It makes a lot of sense why anyone, no matter their age, would be scared to see a physician. However, to live a healthy life, you need to see the doctor regularly and get your shots, whether they're COVID-19 related or otherwise. Here's what you can do to overcome these fears.
How Medical-Based Fears Develop
The fear of doctors (iatrophobia), needles (trypanophobia), and blood (hemophobia) are closely related. People are typically afraid of doctors because they're also fearful of blood or needles.
Fear of blood or needles may have nothing to do with doctors initially. It's natural to be afraid of sharp objects or blood, especially because they're linked with pain or a bad experience.
However, since blood tests, vaccinations, and checkups are common when we're younger, a child will naturally connect "seeing the doctor" with "pain and discomfort." The fear of feeling pain and discomfort from a needle or another test will cause anxiety before a doctor visit.
If left unchecked, these fears could persist into adulthood. If the fear develops into a phobia, a person may avoid seeing a doctor when they need to or refuse life-saving medical tests.
You may be more predisposed to developing medical-based fears or phobias if you:
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Experienced a traumatic health issue (i.e., COVID-19 or cancer).
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Had multiple tests and doctor visits as a child.
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Received subpar medical care or had a bad experience with a doctor.
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Have chronic conditions that cause you to experience painful treatments or tests.
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Received bad medical news for yourself or from a loved one.
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Acted as a caregiver to a patient who frequently went to the doctor.
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Lost someone you knew to an illness under the care of a doctor.
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Have a history of phobias or currently have an anxiety disorder.
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Saw an excessive amount of gore as a child.
Although it's more likely that a person will develop a fear of blood or needles because they experienced a personal traumatic experience with a doctor, indirect trauma is also possible. A person may hear of someone else's experience and fear going through something similar.
How to Overcome Medical-Based Fears
About 12% of adults and 19% of children are afraid of the doctor, making iatrophobia one of the most common fears. But you can overcome medical-based fears by doing the following.
Understand Why You're Afraid
Phobias are typically a result of physical or mental trauma, so it's likely your fear came from something. If you know what event caused your fear, you can think back to that point and try to work through it. Pay close attention to your feelings and where they're located in the body.
Become More Knowledgeable in First Aid
Knowing how your body works can help you come to terms with your phobias. As a positive, the cost of first aid training courses is manageable, and you'll walk away with the knowledge on how to treat heart attacks, wounds, and bodily injuries. Plus, you'll learn CPR and poison treatments.
Expose Yourself to Your Fears Slowly
One common reason people avoid the doctor is the fear of bad news, but if you wait too long for a physical, you may become even sicker. If you see the doctor now, you'll reduce your pain in the future. You can slowly expose yourself to pictures of needles and blood to calm your anxiety.
Most Pain is Mild and Temporary
Unless you have a chronic illness, most of the pain you experience is temporary. Although getting a needle is unpleasant, it only takes a second. Your bodies are resilient and often recover quickly from physical trauma, but you need the help of your doctor to speed it along.
Reframe Your Thoughts
Dental drills, needles, and medical tests can feel like instruments of terror, but they're actually essential breakthroughs in science that are here to help you. While these tests hurt in the moment, the positive effects last much longer, making them worth the second of discomfort.
Use Relaxation Techniques
Deep-breathing and visualization techniques can help calm your mind by transporting you to another place. If you need some time to relax, tell your doctor you're currently doing a breathing exercise and ask them to wait 2 minutes to get in the zone before administering the tests.
Distract Yourself or Look Away
There's no reason that you have to look directly at the needle or the test being performed when it's happening. In fact, it's better if you don't. If you see the needle getting closer to your skin, you may have an anxiety attack or pull away. You could also read a book or look at your phone.
Numb the Injection Site
There's nothing wrong with being afraid of pain. In fact, pain is an important mechanism that helps us avoid dangerous experiences. Unfortunately, you can't avoid all pain, so use lidocaine cream and ice compresses to numb the injection or test site to make the experience less awful.
Tense Your Muscles
If you start to hyperventilate or become so nervous that you pass out before or during a doctor's appointment, try tensing your muscles. By flexing the muscles in your legs, arms, and abdominals, you'll raise your blood pressure and counteract the sense of wanting to faint.
Find a Role Model
Some people feel less afraid about a situation when they see other people be brave. Ask a friend or family member who you trust to accompany them to a doctor's appointment. You can see how they handle the test and feel more confident that overcoming your fear is possible.
Tell the Doctor or Nurse
Admitting to a physician or nurse that you're afraid can actually make your situation less scary. Any good doctor won't make fun of you or be offended. Instead, they'll try to make your experience more comfortable by offering a smaller needle or suggesting relaxation techniques.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
When all else fails, consider speaking to a psychotherapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy. A licensed psychiatrist can help you learn strategies to change your perception of your fears or prescribe anti-anxiety medication that may help calm you down.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of sciencetimes.com
