[melinda84]

I have a phobia with going to the doctor's. I am not sure if anyone else here feels the same way or can relate somehow. I haven't been to a doctor in like 5 years and i have felt afraid to visit a doctor ever since i was a kid. Most of my doctors didn't seem to care much about me personally, they seemed to be more in it for the money so most of my experiences with doctors have been negative. I have been to psychologists when i was a kid and they always made me feel like i was nothing, but a screw up.

I know i may need to go to the doctor someday though and this worries me so much. I don't want to ever have to go. I really can't explain the extreme discomfort i have felt inside a doctor's office. I'm not very comfortable just talking to strangers as it is. I have no idea how i'm going to get over this. How can i ease my discomfort with doctors?

[lynn P.]

The best way to deal with a fear or phobia is to confront it. A person can also do behavior/desensitization therapy. My oldest daughter hated doctors when she was 2, so I bought a play doctors kit and we role played doctor over and over LOL. Since you're an adult that wouldn't work LOL. When I was 17 I had a painful experience getting a wisdom tooth pulled - so I didn't go to he dentist for 5 yrs. Finally I went but was shaking like a leaf. I'm fine now.

I really think you need to get over this fear, because you should be getting a gynecological exam since you're a woman. You don't want to end up neglecting your own health. I don't let doctors intimidate me at all - they're just regular people who are paid good money to treat us - so I make sure my doctor does his/her job. I ask lots of questions and make sure I understand everything. Maybe taking a friend or family member would help. Honestly it's better to go to the doctor than end up really sick. They're just regular people don't be worried.

[melinda84]

Thanks. Yes, i know they are just regular people. They are strangers that i don't know and that is the part that makes me really uncomfortable. I have already been neglecting my health really. I have been dealing with sinus problems for awhile now which has been pretty annoying, but my fear is very hard to confront. It would help if i could find a nice doctor that i can trust, but i don't know how to look for a good one in the area. I don't think having a family member with me would help much. In fact, i'd probably feel more embarassed.

[jexa]

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."

[lynn P.]

I live in Canada and when you call the counties main office they recommend doctors there - can you do that or can you ask a friend to recommend one. I have a female doctor because I don't like getting gynecological exams from a male doctor. I like her becasue she's the same age and she's very thorough. Please for your own health try to overcome this. Best of luck.

[jerrymichele]

I can understand disliking an OBGYN. I hate going to these Dr's. I would rather have a female, but either way, I just plain out hate going to these Dr's. I would rather go to a dentist any day then one of these Dr's. It's just one of those things. I always tell myself that I'm not the only one. If I think that any Dr. is going to give me a hard time about something, well I just lie about it. It's not good to do that, but I have always did it.

[lynn P.]

When I was 20 I had my first gynecology exam - I was mortified, to say the least. Now that I'm older - it doesn't fizz me at all anymore. I don't know if it's maturity or the fact that I've had 2 kids and it's hard to be shy after that LOL. When I'm having mine done me and my doctor even talk about everyday things - no big deal. Think of it from a doctors view - it's medical to them especially since they see so many patients. They probably hate it more than we do.

Michele - I had to chuckle a little when you said "just lie about it" - (cute and sensible response).

Anyway we need doctors to keep us healthy. I make them work for there money and ask lots of questions.