How can I overcome my fear of doctors and denists?

Question

I had a mean doctor when I little. Then we moved when I was almost 16. My parents made to go an older man peditrician. I was mortified to go to him.I did not like an older man seeing me naked at that age. I also had a mean denist as a child, he told me he was going to take a look at my baby teeth, then popped one out!!!! UGH!
Recently, I turned down a job because I would have to have a physical. The company told me I had to have a drug test, no problem I understand that. But when I got to the clinic to give the urine sample, they told me I had to have a COMPLETE physical. I called the person who offered me the job, told him I did not appreciate the surprise physical from a strange doctor, and that I had changed my mind about the job. Not sure what they mean by a COMPLETE physical...but I did not stick around to find out. I accepted another job 2 days later, no physical.

Answer 1

Sorry you're having this fear of doctors etc. I had a friend who was petrified of dentists after a painful experience... so I took her (held her hand... she was 42!) to my dentist who is kind and gentle. She had massive amounts of decay because she'd never been since a child, but my dentist was great with her and she goes regularly now.

So my point is... get recommendations from friends who have a great dentist/doctor. Get them to go with you if you like. EXPLAIN to the doc/dentist about your fear, this is an important step, then they know to treat you extra special.

If you can't get recommendations, they often have in the yellow pages (especially dentists) special advertisements that deal with patients who have fears.

Another important thing is to ask alot of questions, like what does a complete physical consist of.

If these ideas don't work for you and you perhaps have an actual phobia, may I suggest counselling or therapy to overcome the phobia?

Remember these people are professionals and are there to help, you had a bad experience when you were younger, but that doesn't mean everything after that will be bad :). Don't be embarrassed about explaining your fear, you will find alot of understanding.

Best of luck :)

Answer 2

You need Dr.s and you being this distressed over them will make you delay possible treatments. You need to find a Dr. that is real sympathetic over this and explain your situation to him. You may even need some counseling over this. Some Drs can even prescribe a sedative for you to take before a visit to settle those nerves and have you relax. Good luck. Fear is a horrible feeling.