The Right Rx for Stress
It might happen each time you go in for a routine medical
visit. Your anxiety begins during the drive over to the doctor's
office. It intensifies as you sit in the waiting room. You find
you can concentrate on neither the television nor the magazine
in front of you. When you're ushered into an examination room,
you've just about reached the panic stage. And you haven't even
seen the doctor yet.
Or your anxiety could be based on legitimate fears. For
instance, if you've been diagnosed with cancer or a heart
condition, each medical visit carries a great deal of
uncertainty. Your doctor could, in fact, deliver the tragic news
that your condition is inoperable. It is no wonder that you find
your heart racing when you step into the doctor's office.
Perhaps you have a fear of the dentist's chair. It first hit
you when you were a child and had to have your first filling.
The fears have only intensified since. Now, even a routine
cleaning is an occasion for a great deal of stress. You even
feel as if you're under heavy stress when you dial the phone to
make your appointment.
Dealing with doctors and dentists can be stressful for any one
of us. A lot of us fear what we don't understand, and much of
medical language can sound like gibberish. The equipment itself
can be frightening if we're not accustomed to it. And there's
always a fear that a treatment will seem worse than the disease.
There are a number of techniques that you can use to deal with
the stress associated with medical care. To begin with, your
best defense is a good offense. Ask as many questions as you
need to of your doctor or dentist. Will the procedure be
painful? How long will it last? Will the procedure have
side-effects? Will your insurance cover the cost? The more
informed you are, the better able you will be to handle the
stress.
Another thing you might consider is doing your own research,
trying to sort out some information for yourself. Don't think
that you have to pore over medical books. Reading health-related
articles in magazines can help improve your knowledge and
understanding, making you a better-informed patient. You might
also search out health-related websites so that you can bone up
on a particular area of medical practice.
Also, while you're waiting for your physician or dentist,
consider engaging in some relaxation exercises. Imagine yourself
running through a field of flowers with a toddler, or skating
expertly at the rink at Rockefeller Center. Picture yourself in
a low-stress situation, in a location you love. Through this
technique, you'll calm down your mind and your body so that you
can deal effectively with the stress that comes your way.
If you have friends who work in the health care industry, you
might discuss your fears with them. They can be an important
source of information, giving you insights into the medical
profession that you might not otherwise have. Draw upon their
experience in order to soothe your fears. You might be surprised
at how much you can learn simply through casual conversations.
Most health care workers will be more than willing to share
their experiences with you.
If your fear of the dentist or doctor has turned into a
full-fledged phobia, you'll want to consult a professional
therapist. He or she can delve into the root causes of your
fears and can help you to develop effective coping strategies.
In some cases, the psychologist might recommend that you see a
psychiatrist so that you can obtain the medication you need to
calm your nerves. Millions of people have been helped through
such medication. While such medication can result in weight gain
or drowsiness, its overall effect can be quite positive.
It is entirely possible to visit a doctor or dentist without
becoming overly stressed. The key is to be prepared. Be prepared
to ask questions of your health care professional. Be prepared
to encounter equipment or techniques that might make you feel
uncomfortable. Be prepared for medication that might have
unpleasant side-effects. The more prepared you are, the better
you'll feel, and the better equipped you'll be to handle stress
during your examination.