How to overcome a fear of doctors

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Regular preventive care is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health. But if you’ve been putting off a visit, you’re not alone. Many people feel uncertain about preventive care screenings, whether it’s about what the results might show or concerns about discomfort. However, when done by a provider you trust, you’ll find that preventive care was designed to give you peace of mind.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 25 percent of U.S. adults didn’t have a routine checkup.

“Doctors frequently encounter patients who do not follow advice or get the tests or exams they need for their age and gender,” said Dr. Matthew Stanley, senior medical director of behavioral health at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

“Ultimately, though, it’s up to the patient. It sounds so cliché, but it’s true. Just a few moments of discomfort are far outweighed by the chance of having your life saved by early detection.”

Conquer your anxieties about seeing the doctor

So, how do you overcome your procrastination, anxiety or fear? “First and foremost, find a primary care provider you can talk to — without feeling judged or uncomfortable,” said Stanley.

A third of Americans don’t have a designated primary care provider (PCP), according to the National Association of Community Health Centers. “If you don’t have a physician, or you avoid making appointments with your physician, you may be sweeping a health problem under the rug,” said Stanley.

Your doctor can treat more than just your physical symptoms. You can also talk to your doctor about your lifestyle — like diet and exercise — or any safety concerns, such as homelessness, substance use, violence, neglect or thoughts of suicide. Doctors are trained to discuss these topics sensitively and confidentially.

Tips for conquering fears:

• Confront anxieties and deal with them rationally. Many people expect preventive care services (such as cancer screenings, blood tests and vaccinations) to be more unpleasant than they turn out to be, which can cause fewer people to get the recommended care. For example, surveys show that people anticipate cancer screenings to be more painful than they actually are. But, thinking rationally, brief moments of discomfort can be lifesaving. For example, the prep work and process of having a colonoscopy may be difficult for you. But it might also save your life.
• Talk to your doctor about expectations. What will the pain feel like? If you have a clear idea, for example, that a needle prick feels like a mosquito bite, you may save yourself some worry.
• Take someone with you. If it makes you feel better, ask a spouse, relative or close friend to take you to an appointment and even sit with you in the examination room.

Understand that it’s normal to be nervous. Most people have some degree of fear or anxiety in a clinic or hospital. By some estimates, 15 to 30 percent of the population who have hypertension suffer from “white coat syndrome,” a condition where blood pressure increases when measured in the doctor’s office. Individuals without high blood pressure can also experience this phenomenon.

Before you say yes: questions to ask your provider

One approach that can help improve care is knowing what questions to ask before getting any test, treatment or procedure:

1. Do I really need this test or procedure?
2. What are the risks?
   1. Will there be side effects?
   2. What are the chances of getting results that aren't accurate?
   3. Could that lead to more testing or another procedure?
3. Are there simpler, safer options?
4. What happens if I don’t do anything?
5. How much will it cost?
   1. Are there less expensive tests, treatments or procedures that my insurance may cover?

These questions are a helpful starting point for conversations with your provider to help make safer, more informed health care decisions.