Dealing with Doctor’s Office Anxiety
You’re not the only one who might get slightly nervous when going to see the doctor. 1 in 3 Americans avoids going to their doctor, even when they think they need medical care. It isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Some of the reasons you may be anxious about the visit include:
- Getting criticized for less-than-healthy lifestyle choices
- A fear of needles, bloodwork, or medical tests
- The dread of getting diagnosed with an illness
...amongst other countless issues.
Feeling these issues is completely normal.
Of course, there are ways around this anxiety.
6 Tips to Deal with Doctor’s Office Anxiety
- Understand your anxiety and be honest about it.
Your mental health is as important as your physical health, and these anxieties are real.
- Schedule your appointment at a good time of the day.
Set your appointment at a time that you feel you can manage with ease. If you find that afternoons make you antsy, avoid scheduling appointments at that time.
- Try to take a family member or a friend with you.
Taking a loved one with you to the appointment will help distract you from the appointment, and they may just serve as a comforting presence.
- Try some breathing exercises.
Under stress, your breathing may subconsciously get shallower. Try the 4-7-8 breathing exercise, where you inhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 7, and exhale for 8.
- Be mindful and prepare for your visit beforehand.
Do a quick meditation to clear your mind, or a repetitive task to calm yourself. This will help you be in a clearer headspace before your visit.
- Ask for your vitals to be taken later.
Anxiety raises your blood pressure and increases your heart rate. There’s a term for it - whitecoat hypertension. All you have to do is calm down before you get your vitals checked.
At Heal360, we make it a point to make sure you are always comfortable and relaxed. Our staff is friendly and understanding, capable of easing any of your anxieties. So book your appointment in advance and we promise you, we’ll take care of you.
