Anxiety preventing me from addressing serious medical issues

[RainydaySuperstar]

My anxiety is so severe when it comes to even the mist minor of medical procedures. Just typing this is causing my throat to close up, tears to pour uncontrollably, heart beating way too fast....I've been in therapy for 3 years, Ive seen a psychiatrist, I've tried a myriad of prescription drugs and yet with each order for labs or surgery scheduled it gets steadily worse. If I even make it inside I usually sneak out, run, or sometimes I faint...I am probably going to die, not from cancer but from not getting treatment and the only reason for that is I have a totally irrational fear of medical procedures. I can't even manage to get my blood drawn anymore much less have an IV placed. No matter how much my rational mind knows its not gonna be that bad, the second I sit down to have it done I get a huge attack and usually end up leaving in hysterics. It is so embarrassing that I can't even face the people who witnesses it. It has become more a fear of having an anxiety attack than a fear of what is actually happening.

A couple weeks ago I was to have surgery, I made my escape while waiting for the anesthesiologist to come talk to me while waiting on someone from IV therapy to set an IV in my hard to find veins.

I no longer qualify for studies because there are so many notes in my chart about not following thru. I've been dropped as a patient by so many specialists and my primary for missing appointments or for not following thru.

They say things like "how can you expect to get help when you aren't willing to do your part" but it isn't that I am unwilling....I try but can control this. Sometimes I make it to the parking lot of the appointment I've waited way too long for, feeling hopeful and confident but then I can't make myself get out of the car. If any doctor or nurse asks me how I am I instantly start crying and can't stop. I can't breathe...just typing this has me in such a state...and it just seems to get worse...I haven't made a phone call in 7 years...I have a friend who calls and makes my appointments pretending to be me....this is ruining my life....I don't know what else I can do.

[9everton]

Your not alone on this I am exactly the same I am terrified and go to pieces just walking into a hospital My anxiety goes through the roof and cry to anybody who speaks to me so I feel very sorry for you much love and get better soon x

[hzhang35]

I am very very afraid of medical procedures. I usually take some short-acting bezo (like Xanax) a couple of hours before the planned procedure. It calms down so I can get out of car instead of sitting on the parking lot.

[Llab]

You’re not alone. I have heard that up to about 20 percent of people have some level of doctor phobia (including some doctors!), but your case is extreme. Many people die because they avoid getting the treatment they need even though they can afford it. I'm surprised that the medical staff aren't more understanding of your problem.

I don't know what you can do and I doubt that you can do anything by yourself, so maybe stop trying. The only thing you can do, as I see it, is to allow someone else (friend or social worker) to arrange everything and stay with you through the process. It will be very tough (on everyone!) but it's a possibility.

I wish you all the best - you have suffered enough already.

[Joanne1972]

Just wondering, have you tried hypnotherapy for this

I wasn't as extreme as you but it helped with my phobia of the dentist. Think I had 2-3 sessions

Good luck in beating this

Oh n just wondering if you could be prescribed an sedative before you get to the hospital and have someone take you in.

Jo