Do you also get scared when you see a doctor? Let's talk about Iatrophobia!

Do you sometimes feel a little scared or nervous when you think about going to see a doctor or getting tested for an illness? That can be normal. But if this fear becomes too much and affects you to the point where you avoid the doctor, or even if you have a serious illness, you may have a condition called iatrophobia . Let's talk about this in more detail today, okay?

What is Iatrophobia? Simply put...

Iatrophobia is an extreme, abnormal fear of doctors or medical procedures. Think about it, some people have a fear of spiders or heights, and this is something like that. This is not just a minor fear, it is a phobia , which is an anxiety-related mental condition.

This word is made up of two Greek words. "iatros" means healer, which means doctor. "phobos" means fear. So, simply put, the fear of the doctor .

A person with this fear may avoid seeing a doctor, no matter how sick they are or even if they have symptoms of a serious illness. Sometimes, they may ignore the symptoms and wait until the illness worsens to the point where they finally have to be hospitalized. Isn't that a very unfortunate situation?

What exactly is this phobia?

Phobia, as we have already said, is an excessive, irrational fear of something, someone, animal, or situation. That is, the fear is much greater than the actual danger posed by that thing. Iatrophobia also belongs to the category of Specific Phobic Disorder .

You may be afraid of doctors or medical tests because of a traumatic experience in your past. Or it may be because of your association with things like blood, wounds, and injections.

How widespread is this condition of iatrophobia?

In fact, about 12% of adults and 19% of young children in the United States are said to have specific phobias. While there are no separate statistics for iatrophobia, one survey found that one in three Americans avoids seeing a doctor even when they feel they need medical attention.

Imagine, this situation may have worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic. People were afraid to go to the doctor for fear of contracting the virus. Also, when news spread that the nasal swab test for COVID-19 was painful and uncomfortable, they became afraid of it too. So, people with iatrophobia are less likely to get tested even if they are exposed to the virus and have symptoms.

Who is at higher risk of developing iatrophobia?

If someone has Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) , a condition we used to call hypochondria , they are more likely to have a fear of doctors or medical tests. A person with IAD often worries that they will get sick, or that they already have an illness. So, they may be afraid that a doctor will tell them that they have an illness, perhaps an incurable one.

Also, if you are a smoker or a drug addict, you may also develop iatrophobia. Because you may be afraid that if you see a doctor, they will give you bad news about your health or tell you to stop your habits.

What are the causes of Iatrophobia?

It's really hard to pinpoint a single reason for this. There could be many reasons. Here are some of them:

• Childhood experiences: Often, young children remember the doctor's office as a place where they get vaccinations. So that fear can persist until they grow up.
• Frequent doctor visits: If you had to see doctors frequently and undergo tests due to some health condition since childhood, that could also be a reason.
• Bad medical experiences: Perhaps you didn't feel good about the treatment you received from a previous doctor, or if you had a bad experience, that can also have an impact.
• Chronic diseases: People with chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus and cancer have to undergo frequent, sometimes painful tests and treatments. This is also a cause for fear.
• Bad news: Hearing bad news from a doctor, whether about your own health or the health of someone you love, can also be a source of this fear.
• As a caregiver: If someone close to you is sick and you have to take them to the doctors and for tests frequently, that experience can also be impactful.
• Loss of a loved one: If someone you love dies from an illness or accident while receiving medical treatment, that can also be a cause for this fear.
• Family history: If someone in your family has a phobia or anxiety disorder, you may be more likely to develop this condition.

What other phobias can be related to Iatrophobia?

Usually, someone with one phobia may have one or more other phobias. For example, someone who is afraid of doctors is more likely to have Dentophobia , which is the fear of dentists.

Not only that, but other fears can also arise, such as:

• Carcinophobia: Fear of developing cancer.
• Cardiophobia: Fear of heart disease or heart attack.
• Claustrophobia: Fear of confined spaces, such as MRI machines .
• Hemophobia: Fear of the sight of blood.
• Mysophobia or Germophobia: Fear of germs.
• Nosocomephobia: Fear of hospitals.
• Nosophobia: Fear of contracting diseases.
• Pharmacophobia: Fear of medications.
• Thanatophobia: Fear of death.
• Tomophobia: Fear of medical procedures such as surgery.
• Traumatophobia: Fear of injury.
• Trypanophobia: Fear of needles (injections).

What are the symptoms of Iatrophobia?

People who are afraid of doctors usually know that their fear is irrational, meaning that it has no real basis. However, even if they know this, they still have difficulty controlling their physical reactions to seeing or meeting a doctor. Often, these symptoms can occur just by thinking about seeing a doctor or having a medical test.

See if you feel these things too:

• Dizziness .
• Dry mouth .
• Feeling intense fear or panic.
• Nausea .
• Excessive sweating ( Hyperhidrosis ).
• Rapid breathing and increased heart rate, or a feeling of chest tightness ( heart palpitations ).
• Tremor.

These symptoms do not occur in the same way for everyone. Some people may experience several of these symptoms, while others may experience other symptoms.

How is this condition of iatrophobia diagnosed?

Now imagine, if you can't go to see a doctor because of your iatrophobia, you can see someone like a behavioral health specialist, such as a counselor, social worker, or psychologist. Sometimes your religious leader may also be qualified to provide counseling in this regard.

Iatrophobia is a situational-specific phobic disorder . That is, it occurs in specific situations (thinking about, seeing a doctor). According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), for this condition to be officially diagnosed, symptoms must meet the following criteria:

• An intense fear of doctors or medical tests that has persisted for at least six months.
• Symptoms appear when seeing a doctor, undergoing a medical examination, or just thinking about it.
• Avoiding going to the doctor or getting tested because of fear, even though you know you have an illness.
• These symptoms affect your health and quality of life.
• Excessive fear, anxiety, or panic that is out of proportion to the actual danger.

Remember, only a qualified doctor or mental health professional can make a diagnosis based on these criteria. If you suspect you have something like this, definitely talk about it.

How is Iatrophobia treated?

The good news is that there is treatment for this! A counselor or therapist can help you overcome your fear of doctors or medical tests. Here are some methods they use to do so:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is a form of psychotherapy , which is a form of talk therapy. It involves talking in depth about the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are related to your fears. It also teaches you ways to change those thoughts and behaviors.
• Exposure Therapy: This involves gradually exposing yourself to triggers in a controlled manner. At the same time, you use relaxation techniques to gradually reduce your fear. This is also called desensitization . It's like gradually accustoming someone who was afraid of water to water as a child.
• Hypnotherapy: This uses hypnotic therapies to help you change your thoughts about doctors and medical tests.
• Anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants: These medications can help control your symptoms while you are receiving treatment. However, counselors and psychologists cannot prescribe these medications because they do not have a medical degree. However, they can refer you to someone who is qualified to prescribe medications, such as a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or primary care physician.

How do we manage this condition of iatrophobia?

Delaying medical treatment or tests can be detrimental to your health. So, here are some steps you can take to minimize the symptoms of iatrophobia and help you get the treatment you need:

• Use telemedicine: Whenever possible, and when appropriate, see a doctor via video call, phone call, or chat. This is now available in many places.
• Request the first appointment of the day: That way you won't have to wait too long in the doctor's office or waiting room.
• Distract yourself: Bring a book, a magazine, or a family member or friend to support you.
• Choose a comfortable environment: If possible, choose a doctor's office that has a relaxed, less medical-looking feel, rather than a hospital or medical building.
• A friendly doctor: Try to find a doctor who dresses casually, gives you the time you need, and understands your fears.
• Tell your doctor about your fears: he or she will be able to help you cope with them. He or she may be able to make the tests easier for you.

What are the possible complications of iatrophobia?

Skipping medical tests and treatments can lead to serious, possibly irreversible, complications that can affect your quality of life and lifespan. For example, undiagnosed and untreated high blood pressure and high cholesterol increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack, which can be fatal. Regular visits to your doctor are essential to staying healthy.

A person with iatrophobia may also experience a condition called White Coat Syndrome . This refers to the fact that blood pressure only increases when they see a doctor. When measured at home, blood pressure may be normal. This phobia and the associated stress cause blood pressure to suddenly increase.

Also, you are at risk of having panic attacks , or sudden attacks of fear, when you see a doctor or undergo a medical examination. These panic attacks can continue to occur and can lead to a condition called panic disorder .

When should I ask for help with this?

We all need medical help at some point. If you experience any of these things, be sure to see your healthcare provider:

• If you have panic attacks .
• If you have persistent anxiety that interferes with daily life or sleep.
• If you have symptoms such as depression or problems related to substance use.
• If you have symptoms of an illness that requires medical treatment.

What questions should I ask the doctor?

You can ask your healthcare provider questions like:

• What causes this phobia?
• What options are there that can make it easier for me to get medical care?
• What is the best treatment for me?
• How long will I need therapy?
• Can medication help?
• Should I be aware of complications?

Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)

Iatrophobia, the fear of doctors or medical procedures, can have a significant, negative impact on your health. Frequent doctor visits, blood tests, and other procedures are necessary to detect early signs of illness. Healthcare providers offer treatments that can make your life more comfortable and extend your life.

The important thing is to know that you are not alone. A mental health professional can help you overcome this condition of iatrophobia.

It's also helpful to let your doctor and healthcare team know about your fears. They can then take steps to make you feel more comfortable in the medical environment. Your health is in your hands! Don't be afraid, get the help you need.

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