If you worry about going to doctor’s appointments, you aren’t alone. Many people feel anxious about upcoming medical appointments and tests. This ‘scanxiety’ affects people of all ages and backgrounds.
It is perfectly normal to be anxious in a medical setting, according to Rachel Kaplan, LCSW, a clinical social worker at The Mount Sinai Hospital, who explains why you may feel uneasy and what you can do to counter those feelings.
Why do people get anxious about going to see the doctor?
There are almost as many reasons for being nervous as there are people who worry. For instance, you might anticipate that your doctor will criticize you for your weight, for smoking, or for another habit. Or you could be scared of needles, blood work, or some other medical test. You might dread hearing a certain diagnosis—or you might know your diagnosis but worry about the treatment plan. You might suspect the doctor still won’t know what’s going on or be reluctant to hear that you are better and will have to ‘fly free’ without regular medical oversight.
Sometimes people are concerned not just about the message, but about who is telling it. If you’re not thrilled with how your medical care has been handled in the past, you might be reluctant to go back. You might anticipate feeling rushed and not getting all the information you need. It is also possible you just don’t like a particular doctor or other health care provider.
Any—or all—of these reasons can leave you feeling disappointed, upset, frustrated, scared, annoyed, or just hopeless.
Sometimes people who are nervous about doctor visits walk in the door with sweaty palms or a knot in the pit of their stomach. Others try to treat ailments by themselves in hopes that they will never have to head into the exam room. Still others make appointments, but keep rescheduling for days, weeks, or even months.
Can ‘scanxiety’ affect how my body feels?
Absolutely. Sometimes, in the days or weeks before an appointment, you might find yourself feeling on edge, irritable, or you could have difficulty sleeping. When you actually get to the office, you might notice your muscles are tensing. It’s possible that you will start breathing quickly or taking shallow breaths. You could feel it in the pit of your stomach or in your bladder, with a sudden and urgent need to go to the bathroom. It might even raise your blood pressure. When your blood pressure goes up while you are in the doctor’s office, we use the term “white coat hypertension.” To repeat, all of this is perfectly normal.
Should I ignore these feelings?
No, don’t ignore your emotions. You should acknowledge how you are feeling, realize that it affects a lot of us, and tell yourself that it is okay to feel this way. This may sound simplistic, but paying attention to your emotions and then identifying and acknowledging your feelings can be very powerful. You can say out loud—to yourself or to someone you trust—that you’re feeling really worried about your upcoming appointment.
Some days, it may seem easier to just push your feelings aside and ignore them. It can be uncomfortable or even scary to think about your anxiety. But ignoring your emotions does not make them go away. It just means they will come out in some other way—such as irritability, muscle pain, headaches, and sleep problems.
What do I do about my anxiety?
Once you acknowledge what is going on, you can practice self-compassion. Give yourself permission to worry. If that’s hard to do, think about what you would say to a friend or family member if they were going through what you are experiencing. Often, we are much harder on ourselves than we are on others. So try to show the same patience, empathy, and nurturing to yourself that you would show to someone you care about.
Also, try to figure out what is causing your feelings. If, for instance, you feel uncomfortable with a particular doctor, consider switching to a different health care provider. If you are worried about the possibility of a needle prick, speak with someone in the office when you make your appointment to find out what you can expect. If it’s general anxiety, try some meditation and relaxation tricks to help you cope.
Finally, remember that anxiety is normal and self-care is very important. It’s helpful to remember this for now and in the future, if these issues come up again.