Avoiding the doctor

[u/WillowsIvy3]

I am the opposite of many who fear going to the doc. Certainly not proud but I am in my mid 40s and besides an accident in the mid 2000s I have not been seen my a doc since a teen. I just wanted to share. I find out of sight, out of mind..but when a "symptom" pops up, I spiral.

[u/faded_butterflies]

I am also avoidant. If I told people everything I neglected (while actively panicking about it the whole time) they’d judge me really hard.

[u/pinecone667 → u/faded_butterflies]

Same here

[u/mandymillion → u/faded_butterflies]

Absolutely the same

[u/Firm-Analysis6666]

I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't. I spiral with symptoms, then spiral going for tests and waiting on results.

[u/No-Stomach-6939 → u/Firm-Analysis6666]

same. i hate it here

[u/Mother_of_pearls2023]

I used to go constantly over everything, and now I just started avoidance. The thought of making something as simple as an eye doctor appt sends my heart rate skyrocketing. I hate this.

[u/ImprovementPristine4]

You're definitely not alone. I just turned 40 and have avoided doctors with the exception of a dermatologist and dentist for over a decade, fueled by some medical trauma as a kid and again in college. It's definitely a fear of bad news and an assumption that a doctor is just going to confirm my worst fears even though I feel fine. I am trying a new therapist who specializes in health anxiety because it's taking over my life. It's miserable.

[u/Klutzy_Activity_182 → u/ImprovementPristine4]

Do you feel anything is helping? What kind of therapy can fix this?

[u/ImprovementPristine4 → u/Klutzy_Activity_182]

Not yet but I'm just starting my first session tomorrow.  The clinic specializes in anxiety and this therapist understands health anxiety. I believe it's CBT and also working through past medical trauma.i hope it helps. Nothing else has.

[u/Jumpy_Exit_8138]

Lol I’m the opposite, my health anxiety has me basically living at my doctor’s office!

[u/Swimming_Rooster7854 → u/Jumpy_Exit_8138]

Same.

[u/Jumpy_Exit_8138 → u/Swimming_Rooster7854]

Right?? I’m pretty sure my doctor is going to start charging rent 😝

[u/Playful_Lecture7784]

You're not alone in this! I'm terrified of doctors. Hell, I have to get basic hormone level bloodwork done in October for my endocrinologist (just to measure hormone levels on medication) and im terrified that alone will somehow end up with a doctor calling me and saying "I have bad news"

All the while being scared that I have some disease and that my life is a ticking countdown.

[u/elisabethzero]

I avoid going to the doctor because if i went as often as I wanted, I'd be there constantly and she'd hate me. But I make sure I go at minimum for an annual well check. My numbers are all good except I'm fat, and she doesn't nag about that.

Get a minimum well check at least. A lot of us in HA are afraid of zebras, but the well check will help watch for horses.

[u/Jumpy_Exit_8138 → u/elisabethzero]

Love this analogy!

[u/Klutzy_Activity_182]

This is most definitely me. I actually thought this was the definition of someone with health anxiety, but I see many here go from Dr to Dr searching for some diagnosis or trying to get an “all clear”. I absolutely hate Dr visits. I go if I absolutely have to. I have to go soon to get a certain test and it freaks me out. Mammograms and routine gyno things also I hate. I get so anxious that I feel like the entire office staff can feel it! What’s an avoidant person to do?

[u/CandidateConfident88]

I avoided going to the doctor for 5-6 years (while having healthy anxiety and real physical problems) and now I’m in the ER two times a week, having panic attacks solely because I’m there and I’m freaking afraid that I have something life threatening. It’s low key paradox.

[u/candybatch]

I used to avoid the doctors too because I was so scared but it came to a point where I couldnt because I wasnt able to work anymore due to ongoing health issues. The first time I went I sat in the parking lot having a panic attack and didn't go in. The second time I tried I went in and my pulse was 140. I still can't believe I actually got myself to go I was so anxious.

[u/Momma1966-]

Me too. I haven’t done a mammogram in 22 years. Everything scares me

[u/tatmeow]

I am the exact same. It’s so bad that when I finally go my vitals are off the charts with panic and anxiety…. I have three yearly doc appointments coming up in the next two weeks. 😭

[u/Blueberry252]

Yess I do this too. I've done quite well at stopping the daily panic attacks thinking there's something wrong with my heart, but I still avoid the doctors and the thought of going makes me so anxious. Dentist also. We have a free health check at work but I haven't done it because I'm so scared they'll find something that I'll then have to deal with 😩

[u/kiawah-5]

I have panic and anxiety over the foot dr any more. It’s so annoying. It’s not just blood work or cat scans anymore. It’s EVERY THING! It’s so irrational, I know. But I can’t fix it 🫠

[u/Ancient_Ad8684]

i used to be the same. now one small thing happens and im at the hospital already lol

[u/SamuraiUX]

Guys, you are reinforcing your fears by not going to the doctor. If you go and survive to tell the tale, you instead learn (over time) that doctors are not scary. You’re doing yourself a disservice.

Not to mention: you know what’s scarier than going to the doctor and finding out you need heart surgery (e.g.)? …Not going. And it being too late.

[u/Appropriate_Two8169 → u/SamuraiUX]

I go and every time I panic I have cancer.

[u/SamuraiUX → u/Appropriate_Two8169]

…go more. Trust me.

I was afraid of flying, so I took an international flight. Your body can only sustain panic and terror for so long. It eventually gives up and learns something new.

If people are afraid of elevators, the gold standard treatment is literally a day spent on an elevator. It’s called ERP - exposure with response prevention.

Go spend a day in a hospital waiting room. Go to the doctor whenever it seems prudent. Don’t avoid it. 🙂

[u/WillowsIvy3]

I tried to write my anxiety story of what led me down this path starting around 14 but it wouldn't let me post it due to triggering others I suppose.

[u/Swimming_Rooster7854 → u/WillowsIvy3]

That’s what I find annoying about this sub. It’s one thing to post asking if someone had xyz feelings it’s another to tell your story.

[u/Extreme-Conflict-959]

I’m the same and I fear this is what’s exacerbating my HA.

[u/Plus-Story-735]

It can be tough to confront health issues, especially when you’re used to avoiding them. I think it’s great that you’re opening up about it. Recognizing those symptoms and how they affect you is an important step

[u/Old-Hurry-1495 → u/[deleted]]

So how are they supposed to give you an exam? What’s the point of going

[u/HealthAnxiety-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Don't post about "alternative' health therapies. Do not disparage medicine or doctors.

[u/trxnchmster]

I’m the same way I started using this web app though and not it has a symptom analyzer and lets me know when I actually need to see a Dr. turns out I’m pretty healthy haven’t been in months

[u/YesItsMe183]

Honestly, I wish I were this way. I am so exhausted from always running to the doctor. I would rather ignore a problem until I can’t anymore 😫