[DarkSoulsEverywhere]

I really need to see a psychiatrist and get on some medication. The problem is I am afraid to see any doctor because I fear them judging me. I am a little bit over weight (not horribly) and even though that should matter for me it makes me terrified to meet new people, esp. any type of doctor.

I don't mind advice, like you should exercise or go out more but I don't want them to think badly of me because I am over weight. I am so nervous that they will be critical.

I seriously need mental help but am terrified of being judged because of my body, what can i do?

[divine1966]

Why would medical professional judge you by your looks or weight? Why would they think badly?

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[Skeezyks]

Hello DarkSoulsEverywhere: Welcome to PsychCentral... from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit. My experience, at least, with psychiatrists is that they only prescribe & monitor psych med's. So what my experience suggests to me, at least, is that a pdoc is unlikely to be concerned about your weight. However, I do understand your concern. You could, perhaps, try speaking with the pdoc's nurse or other staff person prior to your appointment about your concern. You could, perhaps, also write the pdoc a letter prior to you appointment. Or maybe taking someone with you to your appointment might help. Beyond that there is a precept I would offer you as a way of handling your fear: "Walk toward what scares you."

[DarkSoulsEverywhere]

Originally Posted by divine1966

Why would medical professional judge you by your looks or weight? Why would they think badly?

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My old therapist judged me, like if I wasn't losing weight she made me feel like I needed to do more, I felt judged more than I found it helpful.

It may not be rational thinking either, I am not thinking rationally but fear they will think i am fat.

[atisketatasket]

Just so you know, a lot of psychotropic drugs cause weight gain. So while I don't think a psychiatrist cares much about your weight, so long as it won't prevent them giving medications, I also think therapy may be the way to resolve this issue. I would tell the psychiatrist you're concerned about your weight so they can give you a medication that won't make the problem worse for you.

[Pennster]

This sounds hard. This might not be the most practical suggestion, but I have a lot of health anxiety and find doctors quite frightening. One way I have found I feel better around this is when my doctors look unhealthy. It makes me more nervous when they are hale and hearty and good-looking, but when they are looking like they could use a doctor themselves I feel like I have less to worry about in terms of them lording their healthiness over me!

I wonder would a similar idea help you? Perhaps you could find an overweight psychiatrist if you are worried about them judging you for being overweight? I think the Psychology Today listings usually have pictures.

Maybe this idea is too wacky to be helpful- feel free to ignore it!!

[ruh roh]

First of all, many of them don't look so great themselves, so I would not be worried about what they think of my appearance; however, they might ask about things like eating habits--not as a judgement, but because they are looking for symptoms to arrive at a diagnosis. So just be prepared and remember that they ask everyone--it's not about you in particular.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I'm overweight and am often worried about being judged. Out of all the Pdocs and Ts I've seen only 1 has judged me for my weight. It was a Pdoc who happened to be overweight himself. He was almost twice my size. He told me I needed to lose weight at the start of the first visit. I requested another Pdoc.

I understand not wanting to be judged, but there's really no 100% solution on how to avoid judgmental people.

Out of all the professionals, my ex-T who was skinny actually understood me the best. I wanted to lose weight, but struggled. She wanted to gain weight, but struggled. People called me names for being overweight. People constantly asked her if she was anorexic. We used to joke that if only doctors could take my excess fat and donate it to her. We also both struggled with fertility issues due to our weight.

Anyways. I hope you find someone who will help you and not judge you. You probably have good odds of it.

[Roaming_bird]

I've never felt judged by my t. I do talk about my struggle to exercise and lose weight, but she doesn't bring it up unless I do, and it's never in a negative way. If it concerns me, she'll talk about those concerns, but otherwise nothing. Ts see so many people. And there is so much more going on in my life to talk about or think about than my weight.