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Navigating a Doctor’s Appointment with Health Anxiety

How do you manage a medical appointment when you are dealing with health anxiety?

Medical appointments can be daunting when you are dealing with health anxiety. Before we discuss appointment management, read about what health anxiety is here.

You are not alone

Health anxiety is more common than you may think.

Be kind to yourself when preparing for an appointment if you are dealing with health anxiety

The following are some ideas that might make you feel more comfortable:

Think before you schedule

Ask yourself if you will feel better visiting the doctor and/or testing to rule something out.

Photo by Obi – @pixel9propics on Unsplash

If your test confirms the worst how can you prepare ahead of time to handle that news? In some cases it is best to receive a diagnosis because treatment can begin. Other times you may decide that it will only cause more unnecessary stress, anxiety, and worry.

Choose your doctor wisely

Do some research before choosing a doctor. Ask for referrals. Read reviews about the office, staff, and doctor. Pay attention to any reviews that refer to patient interactions and bedside manner.

Be Honest

Tell the staff and doctor that you have health anxiety. If you know your triggers, explain them to the staff and doctor. For example, maybe you prefer not to hear possible symptoms because your anxiety will start searching for and noticing these symptoms.

Be your own advocate

This goes right along with being honest. Protect yourself. Tell the doctor what you need from them. Remember you are paying them for their services.

Make a list

Make a list of your medications and concerns to take with you to the appointment. This will help you stay on topic, not forget anything, and make the time spent at the appointment more efficient.

Choose your appointment

angle-shot-of-a-person-making-a-zoom-call-to-a-doctor-using-a-tablet-computer-8376167/ — Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/high-

If you have the option of telehealth and it feels like the best option for you, schedule a telehealth appointment. If sitting in the waiting room increases your anxiety, an early appointment may be beneficial. It is more likely that your appointment will be on time earlier in the day.

You can also check in and tell the staff you will be waiting just outside the door.

Consider bringing a support person

Bringing a friend or family member to your appointment can help you feel more comfortable.

Your support person can help distract you in the waiting room. If they accompany you in the room during your appointment they can also serve to hear what the doctor is saying without the interference of your anxiety. After the appointment, you can discuss, with your support person, what was communicated during the visit. Anxiety has a way of twisting the truth.

Accept that your readings may be high

Anxiety can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to be higher than usual. White coat syndrome is common even in people who don’t typically deal with anxiety. White Coat syndrome is the term that refers to elevated blood pressure readings due to the stress of visiting a healthcare establishment. White Coat Syndrome can also affect your reading simply by being concerned that it might be high.

Manage White Coat Syndrome

Managing White Coat Syndrome includes avoiding stimulants and relaxation techniques. Stimulants that should be avoided before your appointment include caffeine, smoking, and alcohol. Arrive early for your appointment in an attempt to remain more relaxed. Stay calm and breathe slowly and deeply. Remind the staff and doctor that you expect your readings to be elevated. Distract yourself during the reading. This could be a good time to put your support person to work. Ask them to talk to you about something random to distract you. Better yet, maybe a topic that will give you a pleasant feeling.

Avoid MyChart

Although you may have to sign in on MyChart for a telehealth appointment, avoid browsing. Health anxiety can very quickly trigger panic. There can be so many notes on appointments and tests that are clinical, not easily understood, and instead result in immediate anxiety. It is best to just avoid it.

Do not consult Dr. Google

I will say this time and time again, avoid Dr. Google. When it comes to health anxiety there is nothing good that I have found that from googling your symptoms, diagnosis, or medication. Instead, you will find plenty of horrific information that only makes you worry unnecessarily. Remember most health information comes with warnings to protect the individual(s) sharing the information. If you are feeling brave and choose to Google, remind yourself that these are disclaimers.

Accept the results

If you receive the all-clear from a test, accept the results and allow yourself to stop worrying. Don’t continue to chase a diagnosis that is not there. If you receive a diagnosis, focus on making a plan on how to deal with the results. Get a second opinion if necessary. This may be especially helpful when making a treatment plan. Find support from health professionals, support groups, friends, family, a therapist, and most of all, God.

Let yourself be

Let yourself be whatever you are: anxious, nervous, scared, calm, or numb. Just acknowledge how you feel but do not give it power.

What is health anxiety?

First the formal answer. Health anxiety or hypochondriasis is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry about one’s health.

Health anxiety is extreme worry over everything regarding your body. This includes worry that you are sick or will become sick. Many also fear taking vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter medications, and prescriptions. Every little ache, pain, spot, symptom, etc. that you notice starts with concern that builds quickly into worry and can manifest into all-out panic and fear for one’s life. Anxiety itself causes endless symptoms. Much like most other illnesses, symptoms overlap. It is easy to see why someone could worry over a symptom that very well may be caused by and exacerbated by anxiety. It is a vicious cycle. Notice something, become concerned, overthink, worry, symptoms increase spread or change, panic sets in, become concerned about new symptoms while panicking, and so on.

A real life example

You finally relax on the couch for the night after a long day. You notice your heart beating quickly. Concern. Is it beating faster than it should be? Overthink. Is my heart working too hard? Worry. Tension builds and your chest begins to feel tight. Anxiety sets in and you feel weak and breathless. Symptoms increase spread or change.

Continuing to focus on your heart beating fast, your chest feels tight and heavy. You try to catch your breath and check your pulse. Panic sets in. Am I having a heart attack? Why do my arms feel tingly? Concern and panic. Should I go to the hospital? Am I going to die? I am going to die!

These are not just passing thoughts the person really believes something is terribly wrong. Anxiety symptoms are numerous and very real. Health anxiety can be extreme and interfere with day-to-day life. The worry of being sick or getting sick becomes obsessive and can take over your life. Health anxiety makes you feel helpless and leaves you hopeless.

Can Health anxiety be cured?

Yes! There is hope! I personally have suffered from severe debilitating health anxiety. There were definitely times in the depths of it all that I thought I was going to die. Occasionally I have to work harder and use my tools more to stay strong but it no longer affects me daily. If you or someone you know is dealing with health anxiety, I promise you that it does not have to be this way forever.