Making Embarrassing Trips To See The Doctor Less Stressful.
The chances are that at some point in your life, you will have a medical problem that’s a little embarrassing. When this happens, it’s tempting to bury your head in the sand and ignore it, hoping that it goes away on its own. However, the chances are if you leave a medical problem without treatment that it will only get worse. So it really is best to be brave and make an appointment to see your doctor, it won’t be as bad as you think – that’s a promise!
To make the trip to the doctor a little less stressful, below are some tips to try. Implement these, and you should be able to make your appointment that little bit less stressful.
Research how the problem is diagnosed
It’s a good idea to make sure that you are prepared for your appointment by researching how the problem is diagnosed. Take the time to do some research online, so that you know what to expect at your appointment. It may be that a physical exam is necessary or it might be that your description of what is going on is all it takes to diagnose you. But either way, it’s best to spend some time researching the methods of diagnosis, so that you are prepared for what to expect.
Book a female doctor or nurse
If you know that you will need a physical exam and don’t like the idea of being seen by a male doctor, it’s best to request a female doctor. Don’t be embarrassed to ask to see a female doctor; it’s your right to choose the sex of the doctor who you see. The most important thing is that you are comfortable, so if booking a female doctor helps you to feel more at ease, it’s worth doing. You want to be comfortable with the doctor you are seeing so that you feel able to ask any questions. For instance, say you’re diagnosed with genital warts, you need to be comfortable to ask questions like “Is there a cure for genital warts?” and “How long will treatment take?”.
Stay calm and don’t stress
It’s easy to get yourself in a stress about a medical appointment, but it’s important to remember that the doctor will have seen it all before. So whatever medical condition you are going to see the doctor about, there’s no need to worry about what they will think. If you aim to stay calm and keep your stress levels to a minimum, you will feel better for it. If you are feeling panicky, take deep breathes, and you should start to feel a little better.
When it comes to seeing the doctor about something potentially embarrassing, it’s easy to get stressed out and anxious. However, it’s important to try and stay calm; else you will only end up making things worse for yourself. Focus on the fact that after you’ve seen the doctor, you will have an answer to what’s going on and can treat the problem and move on.
