Fear of Doctors

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Fear of doctors, is surprisingly common today. Most of us do not particularly enjoy going to the doctor. From the often long waits to the cold, sterile environment to the possibility of a painful procedure, doctor visits can cause anxiety in nearly anyone. For some people, however, normal anxiety gives way to outright panic.

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Fear of Doctors or Normal Anxiety?

Since it is normal to be nervous before a doctor visit, it can be difficult to tell whether your symptoms constitute a full-blown fear.

Only a qualified mental health professional can make this determination. However, a few signs may signify that your fear is out of proportion with normal anxiety towards doctors' visits. You may experience all, some or none of the following:

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Related Feelings

Obsessive Worrying

Normal anxiety is typically transitory. You might feel a wave of nervous when actively thinking about an upcoming appointment. You may feel stress on the way to the doctor’s office or while sitting in the waiting room. However, you will not spend a great deal of time thinking about an upcoming visit, and you will be able to distract yourself from the anxiety if your fears are normal.

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If you have fear of doctors, however, an upcoming doctor visit may be the source of endless worrying. You might find it difficult or impossible to focus on other things. Once you have reached the doctor’s office, you are likely to experience feelings of panic and a sensation of being out of control.

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You might sweat, shake or cry, or even refuse to enter the examination room.

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Postponing Doctor Appointments

Those who merely experience nervousness about doctor visits typically do not try to avoid them. If you have fear of doctors, however, you might find yourself putting off checkups, vaccinations, and other routine care. You might suffer through even relatively serious illnesses on your own, rather than seeking professional treatment.

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Fear of Dentists

Although either fear can occur independently, fear of dentists, often occurs alongside fear of doctors. It is common for dentists to trigger the same fears as those triggered by doctors of all types.

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White Coat Hypertension

Although controversial, the phenomenon of white coat hypertension has been documented by numerous researchers. This occurs when the stress of seeing a doctor is enough to raise your blood pressure to a clinically significant level. Your blood pressure is normal when checked at home or in another setting, such as a health fair, but is high at the doctor’s office.

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How may hypnosis help?

Through hypnosis, you can get to the root of your fear and change the way your subconscious remembers the event. Hypnosis reprograms your subconscious so that you do not view the event with fear. During the sessions, your hypnotist will make positive suggestions that help to reduce the anxiety that you feel. Afterward, you will be able to feel comfortable and relaxed when you visit the doctor. The memory that is causing your fears will be re-framed so that you can release the anxiety and feel completely calm.

Your subconscious is a powerful tool that can work with you or against you. When you have a fear about doctors, your subconscious is limiting your ability to get medical treatment and live a normal life. To escape from this fear, you have to eliminate the negative emotions and memories that you have about doctors. Under our hypnosis session, you can take the first step toward living a normal life!

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