Table of contents:
- Why are so many people afraid to see a doctor?
- Overcoming fear of health checks
- 1. Start slowly
- 2. Changing unhealthy habits
- 3. Looking for a trusted doctor or health facility
- 4. Be careful when looking for sources of health information
- 5. Therapy exposure
Try to remember, when was the last time you checked your health at a doctor or health facility? Will you just go to a doctor or hospital if you have serious complaints? It could be that you have anxiety or fear about medical examinations. Certain people still refuse to even have a medical check up even though they have experienced various symptoms of the disease. The fear of health checks is common. In fact, not seeing a doctor or health facility can be fatal. To overcome the fear of health checks, consider the following tips.
Why are so many people afraid to see a doctor?
In order for you to face the medical examination with more confidence and courage, you need to understand exactly what you are afraid of. The source of everyone's fear may be different. Here are the most common fears that haunt society.
- Scared doctors. Data compiled by the health website WebMD shows that fear of doctors is experienced by approximately 20% of the world population. Because it is quite common, this fear is known as white coat syndrome. People with white coat syndrome usually associate doctors with negative experiences. In their eyes, doctors are ugly messengers and intimidating figures.
- Fear of medical procedures. Another fear that many people experience is scary medical procedures. People who are afraid of medical procedures are usually people who cannot stand the pain. As a result, the image of being injected, having his teeth pulled out, or having his teeth operated on was haunting his mind.
- Feel guilty. Even though they don't realize it, many people who are afraid of having a health check actually just feel guilty about the lifestyle they live. For example, a heavy smoker is afraid to see a doctor when he has a severe cough. He already suspected that the cause of his illness was smoking, but he could not and / or want to change the habit.
Overcoming fear of health checks
The main key to overcoming fear of health checks is willingness. Don't let yourself check out when it's too late. Remember, your health is more important than any fear you experience. So for the sake of your health, this is a surefire way to overcome the fear of going to the doctor or hospital.
1. Start slowly
If going to the hospital or clinic sounds scary, start slow. You can accompany a friend or relative who is checking. That way, you become more familiar with the atmosphere and the people.
When it is your own turn for the checkup, don't wait until the symptoms are severe enough. The sooner you check, the better the handling will be. You may not need to have blood drawn or be prescribed too much medication. If the symptoms of the disease are serious, it is only natural that you are afraid to check your health. So, getting in the habit of going to the doctor when you are attacked by a less serious illness is a good starting point for further health checks.
2. Changing unhealthy habits
If the reason you are afraid of having a health check is an unhealthy lifestyle such as not drinking enough water, smoking or staying up late, you probably already know the solution. Change these unhealthy habits first. You will also be more confident when you have to go to a doctor or hospital.
3. Looking for a trusted doctor or health facility
You may be afraid to go to the doctor or hospital because you have heard of cases of malpractice. Or you just don't trust the health workers who handle you. For that, find a doctor or health facility that is usually visited by the people closest to you. You will be less anxious if you are in the hands of a doctor or a health facility with proven competence.
4. Be careful when looking for sources of health information
Sometimes, reading too much random, unverified health information can make you even more nervous. The reason is, the information you get could be misleading or excessive. So, be careful when sorting through sources of health information. Make sure the websites or books you read have been reviewed by trusted doctors or medical personnel.
5. Therapy exposure
If all the methods above have been tried but the anxiety and fear have not gone away, you may have a phobia. One way that can be taken to overcome this is psychological therapy. To clear your phobia of doctors or medical procedures, you may be advised to take therapy exposure. In this therapy, you will be faced with medical objects such as a stethoscope, tensimeter (blood pressure measuring device), or a doctor's photo. Over time, you will get used to and be able to control the fear that arises when you have to check your health.
