Don’t let your anxiety come between you and your doctor

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THE SAVVY PATIENT

Don’t let your anxiety come between you and your doctor
Bring along a friend or family member to help you find your comfort zone

BY JERRY GOLD,
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2010 AT 12:01 A.M.

In an average year, people across the U.S. make more than 900 million doctor visits. But for some, the thought of going to the doctor creates so much anxiety that they’ll postpone or even avoid appointments.

The reasons behind patients’ anxieties are many. Some feel anxious about what will happen in the doctor’s office. Will the physical exam or treatment be painful? Will the doctor ask embarrassing personal questions – or worse, deliver a serious medical diagnosis?

Others may have had an unpleasant experience at a doctor’s office, or know someone who did. Still others may feel unsettled when appointments run behind schedule, or when their time with the physician seems rushed.

While a little nervousness can be normal, fear that prevents people from seeking important medical care needs to be addressed. Ironically, the anxiety that makes people avoid the doctor may ultimately put them at risk for the very conditions they fear. For example, a woman who is terrified of hearing she has breast cancer may avoid the screening exams that can detect it in the earliest, treatable stages.

As with most anxiety disorders, identifying the cause of the fear is the first step. Cognitive behavioral therapy, either with an individual therapist or in a group, can help patients understand why they have such thoughts, as well as guide them in thinking more rationally. Once patients better understand their thought processes, they can learn coping strategies.

One of the most helpful strategies is to “demystify” the experience. Often, parents will take their young children with them to the doctor or dentist to familiarize them with the process, so they aren’t fearful about going themselves. This can also work for anxious adults. Start with a “practice appointment” by accompanying a friend or family member to a doctor visit to observe and ask questions.

Ask a physician referral service for a physician who is sensitive to a patient’s anxiety. Before making an appointment, explain the situation to the office staff. Staff may schedule extra time with the physician for the patient to discuss concerns and ask questions. Write down questions in advance, as it’s hard to remember everything.

It also can help to bring a friend or family member along for support. In addition to easing the patient’s anxiety, the support person can ask questions, take notes and help the patient understand and act on the physician’s instructions.

Jerry Gold, Ph.D., is administrative director of behavioral health services for Scripps Health

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/14/dont-let-your-anxiety-come-between-you-and-your/