[Nike007]

I went to the doctors about chest pain, which I assume is anxiety, but they wanted to do some tests and one was an ecg. And you have to be naked waist up and I hate it when I know someone will look at me in general, but it was very anxiety provoking. She kept trying to tell me to relax but that wasn’t going to happen with me being half naked. She kept saying it’s a painless test, and I honestly didn’t care about the pain, I just didn’t want to have my chest exposed. This has always been a trigger for me for years. I can’t wear a v neck shirt because I am afraid of people looking at me. Now I also get anxiety from gender dysphoria too so this didn’t help. How do you deal with anxiety about people looking at you naked/half-naked/exposed?

[Unhinged88]

I haven't been to the doctor in years. Or the dentist. Too afraid. I wish I had advice. What if you told them your anxiety? Perhaps they can cover you up once electrodes are attached? Or same sex nurses, etc. I am sure they have had patients with anxiety before and might be able to make adjustments.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by Unhinged88

I haven't been to the doctor in years. Or the dentist. Too afraid. I wish I had advice. What if you told them your anxiety? Perhaps they can cover you up once electrodes are attached? Or same sex nurses, etc. I am sure they have had patients with anxiety before and might be able to make adjustments.

Thank you for your response. I’m sorry you haven’t been able to go to see a doctor or dentist.

The ECG already happened. It was a same sex nurse. She noticed my anxiety immediately. I was quite stiff and really tight. She said I could use this cloth to cover me up, and so I did, but she took it off to put on the electrodes but never put it back and I was too scared to do so... it was very anxiety provoking.

I had a panic attack while having my last ECG. I'm not comfortable either, but I just suck it up because it needs to be done.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

I had a panic attack while having my last ECG. I'm not comfortable either, but I just suck it up because it needs to be done.

I did the same thing. I didn’t have a panic attack though.

Nike, I've had several of these tests and on each occasion I was given an open gown to wear. They were able to reach beneath the gown to attach the sensors. While I still felt vulnerable, I wasn't completed exposed. So I am really bothered by how they did this in your case. In the future ask if you can have a gown to wear.

In the meantime, I feel your awkwardness and humiliation. It is frightening enough just having to have such a test to begin with let alone humiliating you and making you all the more anxious.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Nike, I've had several of these tests and on each occasion I was given an open gown to wear. They were able to reach beneath the gown to attach the sensors. While I still felt vulnerable, I wasn't completed exposed. So I am really bothered by how they did this in your case. In the future ask if you can have a gown to wear.


In the meantime, I feel your awkwardness and humiliation. It is frightening enough just having to have such a test to begin with let alone humiliating you and making you all the more anxious.

I wasn’t given this option. I didn’t do this test at a hospital so I’m not even sure if this was an option or not. But it would have helped.

Thank you for your response.

Would it help if I said your thoughts and feelings were absolutely normal and even correct? I want to pat you on the back and say 'Good job!' for getting through it.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Would it help if I said your thoughts and feelings were absolutely normal and even correct? I want to pat you on the back and say 'Good job!' for getting through it.

I realized my thoughts were normal about it. I did talk it over briefly with my psychologist today and I was told it was normal. We focused more on my gender dysphoria piece, as that caused a lot of anxiety during this...