Panicking about going to a doctor’s appointment

[Ldd199]

I have an appointment in about an hour and a half that I really have to go to, that I’ve been putting off for basically months and stressing over for days now because I really can’t miss it again...and I can already feel myself starting to panic over it.

Does anyone have any tips for grounding or just ways to make yourself a little more comfortable through a panic attack or anxiety? The thing is, I ultimately know this is no big deal and it just has to get done, and it’s not like I haven’t been to see this doctor before or I don’t like her because she’s really nice...and I know that once I get past the initial panic and just rip the bandaid off, it gets better. But driving over there and walking into the building and waiting to go back, I can get so anxious that my hands start to shake, and I think it really psyches me out and makes me panic even more.

😕 I’m just having a rough morning that I have to figure out how to get through, I guess.

[Runningfargal]

I experience some of the same things. I put off doctor, dentist, any appts really. I hate being vulnerable. BUT, I try to remember that the doctors I see are kind and caring, they know me and are understanding. And i try to remember that I am not the only one they see that is nervous and panicked (sometimes I feel like I have to be their only patient that is this bad), but I know in reality I am not. Try to focus on the kindness you say your doctor has, picture her smile and visualize you appointment as a positive experience. I hesitate to visualize HOW I want the appointment to go because it rarely goes exactly like we think it should and then, for me, it causes more stress. So I just try to focus on a positive conversation with a caring doctor, whatever that conversation is and wherever that conversation leads. Best to you and good luck!

[gb14]

completely understand what you’re saying! i hate going to an appointment, and it’s so weird because as you mentioned i know it won’t be a big deal and that as soon as the initial panic stops i’ll feel better. i don’t know if this will be good advice (as i still struggle a bit with this) but i try to remember that it will be over pretty fast, and that i’m not the only patient they see, they’ve seen a lot of different people. i hope your appointment went well.

[Cara78]

Hi i hope your appointment with doctor went as well as it could! I used to breathe more but it made my anxiety worse. They say put yourself out your comfort zone regardless of how small, you own your power, you could even gain power from something bigger than yourself, i like to use the universe snd accept i have no control over people places and things however i can control what i choose with regards to how i think feel and act. I think i need to do things im not used to, visit places ive never been, say hello to strangers (within limits if it feels alright) take healthy risks, tell people i love them, wish good for myself and treat myself with the respect i would treat anyone. Positive self talk takes practice. Fear will hold me back, it has done, fear of what others think, ive came to the conclusion that we are all equal and i like to treat everyone the same and i dont agree with everyone and am not the same either but ultimately we are equal.