Table of contents:
- What is iatrophobia?
- Distinguish between the normal fear of doctors and those who are already phobic
- 1. Excessive anxiety
- 2. Refusing to see a doctor
- 3.White coat hypertension syndrome (white coat hypertension)
- How to deal with the doctor's fear?
For some people, going to the doctor is excruciating. By seeing a doctor alone, a person can experience panic attacks, nausea, vomiting, and excessive anxiety. If you experience it, you may have iatrophobia or fear of doctors. In fact, seeing a doctor is very important for health. Then how do you deal with doctor phobia? Here's the explanation.
What is iatrophobia?
Iatrophobia is a kind of senseless phobia that makes a person afraid of doctors. This can be caused by several things. For example, fear of injections, trauma with a history of previous medical examinations, dislike of the smell of the hospital, fear of blood, having lost a loved one hospitalized, and so on.
Basically, fear of doctors is a natural thing. Fear appears as a form of self-protection from things that are perceived as threatening. However, the doctor's fear can turn into a phobia if a person experiences panic attacks, nausea, and vomiting.
Sometimes a person with iatrophobia's fear can be so severe that he refuses to go to the doctor even though he desperately needs a doctor's help. If not treated immediately, this can endanger his own health, which is to make the disease worse until it causes death.
For example, a person may feel that there is a certain lump in the nose that is worried about being a symptom of cancer. Supposedly, this needs to be checked by a doctor immediately to determine the cause. However, because of iatrophobia or a severe fear of doctors, he chose to ignore the symptoms or use herbs that were not guaranteed safety and efficacy.
Distinguish between the normal fear of doctors and those who are already phobic
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between being nervous when you have to go to a normal doctor from those who are classified as phobias. The reason is, phobias can only be diagnosed by a psychiatric specialist through a number of specific examinations.
However, there are several symptoms of iatrophobia that are quite easy to recognize, including:
1. Excessive anxiety
It is only natural for a person to feel anxious in a threatening environment. In iatrophobia sufferers, a person will feel excessive anxiety and stress on the way to the clinic or when sitting in the waiting room. In fact, he could even cry and refuse to enter the examination room, regardless of his age.
Meanwhile, in ordinary people, fear of doctors is just a momentary anxiety that will disappear on its own and can be resolved immediately. No matter how nervous the doctor or medical procedure is, he will continue to follow the examination or procedure until it's finished.
2. Refusing to see a doctor
A psychiatric specialist from New York University Langone Medical Center, dr. Charles Goodstein told Everyday Health that people with iatrophobia will usually avoid various check-ups. Whether it's immunization, medical check up , routine dental checkups, and so on. Sufferers will choose to let their illnesses rather than try to treat them.
3.White coat hypertension syndrome (white coat hypertension)
Excessive doctor fear will usually make your blood pressure jump dramatically suddenly when you arrive at the hospital or Puskesmas. This is referred to as white coat or hypertension syndrome white coat hypertension .
Uniquely, high blood pressure only occurs when you see a doctor. Once back home, the blood pressure that was high will drop and return to normal.
How to deal with the doctor's fear?
Phobias can generally be treated with a combination of drugs and therapy. Unfortunately, iatrophobia tends to be more difficult to treat. This is because people with iatrophobia are reluctant to interact with doctors or the medical team, making treatment difficult.
The good news is that many mental health professionals are starting to offer services over the phone or on the internet to help people with iatrophobia overcome their fear. Although it is more effective with direct examination, this method is quite helpful to overcome the fear of doctors that have been haunting.
To prevent doctor's fear from arising, mental health professionals usually offer treatment at home, not in a hospital or clinic. Some are even willing to wear casual clothes and play soothing music to create a warmer atmosphere. Thus, people with iatrophobia can get treatment without having to be afraid.
