Appointments

[ElysiumC]

I get so anxious at every appointment. Even when I am seeing a doctor that I see every week!!!!! When will this Acute Stress Reaction end??????

[gerg]

Your anxiety may hit you from more than one direction, I know that mine did. First I had anxiety about medical type issues, but then I became anxious about being anxious. So I was programming myself to be anxious. I had to review the story I was telling myself, and then I had to dispute the irrational parts. Now I stick to the facts and my anxiety is kept at a normal level for these visits. I think that most people feel anxious at the doctor's office, that's why I said normal level. There is a level of anxiety that is healthy and helps us to survive. When going to the doctor, and the like, I edit my story to help but I also let the people treating me know that I have an anxiety disorder. This also works twofold; first, I get treated really well and there are no surprises. Second, I no longer fear becoming anxious. I know the providers will understand if I start turning into a mess. In some cases they can even do things to help prevent the anxiety, but they will only do this because I explained my issues. I told them that a long waits in the waiting room or procedure room get me anxious, now I go in closer to the appointment time and get seen right away; poof_less anxiety.

It's not magic, it all takes effort. Edit your story to serve you better.

[Hidden in reply to gerg]

Great post gerg. I have similar issues surrounding doctor visits. I’m going to work on this using some of your suggestions.