Iatrophobia can be described as the afraid to go to the doctorsee health personnel or go to Medical visits. Although it is also often used to indicate fear related to any person, object or symbol linked to health.
Only a mental health professional can determine Iatrophobia
Because being nervous before going to the health clinic It is normal, it is often difficult to recognize when a doctor is facing a case of iatrophobia.
Just a professional of the mental health can determine it. However, experts warn that certain symptoms may indicate that it is not a anxiety case or normal fear of the doctor:
- great concern about doctor visit to the point that it makes it difficult or impossible to do or concentrate on other things.
- waste of control of emotions (especially when in the office) leading to sweating, shaking, crying, or refusing to go in.
- Postpone medical controlsapplication of vaccines or other routine care.
Another aspect that experts highlight is that, unlike other phobias, lto iatrophobia, by its nature, it is the most difficult to treat.
Obsessive Worried
Normal anxiety is usually transient. It is possible that the patient feels a wave of nervousness when actively thinking about an upcoming date. You may feel stressed on the way to doctor’s office or while sitting in the waiting room. However, he won’t spend much time thinking about an upcoming visit and will be able to distract himself from anxiety if his fears are normal.
However, if the patient has iatrophobia, an upcoming visit to the doctor can be a source of endless worry. You may find it difficult or impossible to concentrate on other things. Once you have reached the doctor’s office, you are likely to experience feelings of panic and a sense of being out of control. You may sweat, shake, or cry, or even refuse to enter the exam room.
To many people with iatrophobia are concerned that they may need to see a doctor, even if there are currently no visits scheduled. You may obsess over minor ailments, fearing they will require medical treatment. It is relatively common for iatrophobia to occur together with anxiety disorder. illness anxiety (previously known as hypochondriasis) or nosophobia (fear of illness). Which are disease phobias.
postpone medical appointments
Those who just experience nervousness about doctor visitsThey usually don’t try to avoid them. However, if the patient has iatrophobiayou may need to postpone checkups, immunizations, and other routine care. You may be suffering from even relatively serious illnesses on your own, rather than seeking professional treatment.
Dentophobia
Although any of phobias can occur independentlydentophobia, or fear of dentists, often occurs together with iatrophobia. It is common for dentists to arouse the same fears as doctors of all kinds.
white coat hypertension
Although controversial, the phenomenon of white coat hypertension It has been documented by numerous researchers. This occurs when the stress of see a doctor is sufficient to raise blood pressure to a clinically significant level. blood pressure is normal when checked at home or in another setting, such as a health fair, but is high in the doctor’s office.
How to treat iatrophobia and fear of the doctor?
Because the doctors or office visits trigger episodes of iatrophobia, experts recommend resorting to different options to treat and avoid future complications:
- Prefer to medical services over the phone or the Internet, with the aim of limiting exposure.
- Find doctors or health providers that offer services in environments and in a discreet way.
It is also advised turn to professionalssuch as psychologists or therapists, to help understand the phobia and find the best strategies to deal with it.
Scientific evidence shows that resort to therapylike cognitive-behavioral, is very effective in learning to control phobias.
In these treatments breathing techniques, relaxation, and controlled exposure to the trigger of fears are used.
Other options
Another option that has gained great relevance in recent years is the mindfulness or full awarenesswhich consists of being attentive at all times to feelings, thoughts, bodily sensations and the environment.
It is a technique widely used as a complement to the psychotherapy, in order to reduce anxiety and stress.