Ahh I'm scared of the doctor too!! I'm always afraid they're going to criticize me. I am very avoidant of doctors and only go when I absolutely HAVE to.

I totally freaked out when I went to get a gynecological exam earlier this year, and I put that off for a long time -- I'd been having sex for four years without having a gyno exam. It was so hard to get myself in the door, but I needed birth control pills so I had to do it, even though I was shaking and could barely speak. It was so, so, so embarrassing that I reacted that way BUT it was over soon enough and I did what I had to do. Once it was over, it was just a memory.

It was sheer willpower that got me into the office, and sheer willpower that kept me from running out the door. I stood my ground, I tried to detach from my thoughts, every second of the way I said, "You HAVE to do this!" I guess I just told myself, "Okay, you're very very anxious. So what? Move forward with hands and feet."