Scared of Dr. Appointment today - Anxiety Message Board

shelly80 · 09-11-2008, 10:23 AM

So I have a doctors appointment today, actually a "physical" and I'm getting so worked up about it. I have extreme health anxiety so its making this morning kind of hard for me. It's not a "woman's" appointment, I guess just your average check on all my bodily functions.

I'm so nervous that something horrible will be found, its why I've avoided it for so long. So for those of you that have health anxieties and actually brave it and go to the doctor, what can I expect during a routine physical? I've never really had one before. They said it will take about 45 min. Why is it so hard for me to just go and not be so scared of him finding something wrong with me?? I can't get it out of my head. Cancer, MS, Cancer, Lymphoma, it just repeats itself over and over again. :-(

I'm not having a panic attack (shockingly enough) but I certainly am more amped up than I would like.

rose620 · 09-11-2008, 12:07 PM

I can totally understand your concerns since you are similar to me. I am terrified of anything to do with physicians. I went for a physical. Actually it wasn't that bad and nothing terrible was found. I presume you'll have your blood drawn and sent out for testing, you'll maybe have a chest x ray, your heart will be listened to, the dr will check for various things. You'll do fine. We all do. It's just the ancitipatory worry. Let us know how it went.

shelly80 · 09-11-2008, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the support! I'm just so tense! You are right though, the anticipation is the worst. I know how much better I'll feel when its over. I've actually really wanted to get some bloodwork done, mainly to check my hormone and vitamin levels. I wish I could just have that and nothing else, but Dr. said no way. I must come in.

Lindaru · 09-11-2008, 01:32 PM

Hi, Shelly . . . it may be important to tell your doctor that you are anxious. I even indicate "white coat hypertension" on the intake form when I am seeing someone new.

You are likely to have blood pressure and pulse elevation simply from the anxiety and if they know that, they will take that into consideration.

Let us know how you made out!

Lindaru

negot · 09-11-2008, 01:59 PM

Hi Shelly, I have also pretty bad health anxiety. I am so scared when I go to the doctor that sometimes I start crying during my appt. Sometimes I almost go numb out of fear to hear that I have some disease. I do force myself to go though every year for the annual.
I figure if they find something, it is better to catch it in time.
It is funny, but I actually just came home from my annual. So far so good. Now I am with dread waiting for the blood work to come back.
Good luck to you!