For many people, the thought of going to visit their Phoenix doctor incites feelings of fear and sheer panic. These feelings may be intense enough to prevent some people from keeping up with annual visits, which can be a fatal mistake. Annual visits ensure that optimal health is being maintained and if there is a disease process underway, the time to catch it is when you visit the doctor. However, getting over the fear of doctor’s visit can be challenging, so consider a few tips:
- Talk to your doctor about the problem: Iatrophobia is a real condition and is characterized by anxiety and panic associated with going to the doctor. Talk to your Phoenix doctor about it and ask him for advice on how to get through it when you have to schedule appointments. He may be able to not only give you some pointer, but if the condition is severe enough, prescribe something that will help you to relax a bit when you need to come into the office.
- Ask as many questions as possible: The more informed you are about your health and your appointments in general, the less you may feel you have to fear from going to the doctor.
- Utilize a relaxation technique: From deep breathing to listening to soothing music from your phone or portable music device, there are a number of things you can do to help yourself relax ahead of your appointment. The less wound up you are before you see your Phoenix doctor, the more likely it is that you will be able to get through your appointment. Trying to relax naturally can give your Phoenix doctor a better chance at assessing your general health, as well.
- Ask a close family member or friend to accompany you: Sometimes, the way to conquer the fear of seeing your Phoenix doctor is to ask someone to go with you to the appointment. It’s always a bit less scary tackling a seemingly insurmountable task with someone by your side than it is when you try to do it alone.
The more you can try to make yourself feel as ease, the more likely it is that you won’t give up on going to your Phoenix doctor and you will keep important appointments. Regular visits are important to your health and ensure that you are not overlooking an issue that could potentially become more dangerous and/or complicated given time.
The Professionals at Family Practice Specialists
While a fear of the doctor is quite common, there is absolutely nothing to fear when visiting the professionals at Family Practice Specialists. With compassion, experience and professionalism, our physicians are the best doctors in Phoenix! Ask all the questions you’d like, we have the answers. Afraid that you’ll be referred all over town for x-rays and labs? We do it all right here, at our Phoenix offices. Give us a call at 602.955.8700 or visit our offices located at 4350 E. Camelback Rd., Ste F100, Phoenix, AZ 85018.