Coping strategies for anxiety at doctor's

[Jenn627]

Hi everyone. Hoping you can give me some guidance - I really need it.

I have severe panic attacks when I go to the doctor's. This is the only time I suffer from these attacks. It has nothing to do with getting shots or anything like that -- it's the results. For example, what will the blood pressure result be? Will my blood work come back screwy? Do I have a disease? I'll spend 2 weeks after an appointment waiting for the doctor's office to call and give me some kind of bad news.

That is, IF I get to the doctor's for a check up. It's been about 3 years since I've had one. I am far too scared and sometimes it has an impact on my functioning, like I'll have these "what if" thoughts creeping into my head for no reason during the day.

My BP was high at the first appointment where I had a panic attack and now I fret over a simple test like that and my heart starts to race. I can't walk past one of those self-check BP machines in the grocery store or pharmacy without my heart starting to pound.

What do you do to cope? How do you handle it? Breathing is doing nothing for me. Please help!

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

do you have a reg dr you go to. tell them how you feel and ask if they can give you a pill to calm you down before you come into see him/her. i have to take a ativan before i go to the dentist or i would never get my teeth done, i cant sit or lay in a chair with out panic myself so he always calls me in a small ativan and it gets me through it . if its your reg dr they will understand how you are and am sure most dont have a problem giving you something just to calm you down so you can come in . hang in there .

[Jenn627]

Thanks so much. My doctor does know what's going on and this may be a strategy I need to employ. I hate to take anything for the anxiety but it's worse off if I don't since it's keeping me from seeing my general practitioner with any sort of regularity. I wish you well!!

[suzi-q]

i hate going to the doctor too,,,,I always wait for the phone to ring also.  I just keep saying to myself "this, too, shall pass"...I know that doesn't help much, but do know that you are NOT alone!!!  However,  I like the idea of the pill!!

[lisaloo820]

i can't believe i have the EXACT same situation.  it has kept me fromthe doctor for years.  i also panic by just the thought of taking my b/p,at a doctor or in a pharmacy.  i actually bought one of those home units and it has helped me so much.  it is completely normal when i take it at home by myself.  it is something about someone else doing it and reading it.  how ridiculous is that?  i tell my dcotors but they don't really help so much.  i think they imagine i'm a bit crazy.  my therapist says to be up front -- tell them i am prone to anxiety.  at least i feel better saying it and not pretending it doesn't exist.  i know it is anxiety because when i'm doing fun things or having a glass of wine, i am fine and i have no symptoms.  but is still a way of life for me.  what it i try so hard to do is think of positive things and how going to the doctor ultimately will help me.  they are not the enemy though it sure does seem so.  they want us to be healthy.  yoga is a big help, too.  i guess for me it is what i do for myself more than anything.  good luck.  i like what suzi-q said, "this too shall pass."  remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!