Avoiding Doctor Visit Anxiety
We have all had some bad memory of going to a doctor’s appointment. Whether it was intimidation from the healthcare provider, getting a painful test done, not getting answers, or hearing answers you don’t want, going to the doctor’s office can now provoke some anxiety.
This anxiety is real! It can make going to the doctor’s office emotionally and even physically stressful. There’s even a term for it, called “White Coat Syndrome,” in which your blood pressure may be elevated during a medical appointment than in every day life.
For children and teens who require annual well-child checks, sports physicals, or specialty evaluation and treatment, going to appointments can also lead to anxiety leading up to the visit.
How can parents and clinicians help children and teens reduce doctor visit anxiety?
The World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics published an article in 2016 outlining a framework to help with pediatric anxiety related to medical care, using the acronym C.A.R.E.
C is for Choices
When possible, clinicians should be directly offering your child or teen as many developmentally appropriate choices as possible. This can foster a sense of agency, or internal locus of control. By feeling that they are empowered and an active participant in the appointment, a sense of safety can be increased, and anxiety can be reduced.
Parents can advocate or prompt the clinician in the appointment if they feel that opportunities are being missed.
Additionally, parents can help prepare their child, and provide some redirection of attention, by considering what choices they may make in the appointment. For example, a parent can ask their young child, “where do you want the doctor to check you first? Your ears, or your heart?,” or, “do you want to start the appointment sitting on my lap, or on the table?.” Older children and teens can be offered to help provide their own history, or to decide if and when to complete some of the appointment independently.
2. A is for Agenda
We all fear the unknown, and being unable to anticipate what will happen during a medical encounter can be extremely stressful. This can lead to significant anxiety leading up to the appointment, and make it more difficult to focus or participate during the visit.
Ideally, clinicians should take the time to set expectations for an appointment at the beginning, and then provide explanations as the visit proceeds.
Parents can also prompt the clinician for an agenda at the beginning. “Can you tell us what to expect today?”
Rehearsing what to expect beforehand may be helpful. This can involve conversation or even acting out an appointment. If you are in the dark about what to expect, you may be able to call in advance to ask.
3. R is for Resilience
Usually, we are going to an appointment because something is wrong, or to check if something may be going wrong. With time pressure from parents and clinicians, this often means conversations during medical visits immediately begin with focusing on problems.
Instead, if we can begin with a focus on strengths and benefits, this can set the stage for trust and reducing anxiety.
A clinician may begin an appointment by asking, “What has worked well for you?” Or comment on how a family or child has managed concerns so far. They can even ask a parent to describe their child’s positive qualities, or for the child to describe their favorite activities. Similarly, phrasing of questions can be critical. Instead of a clinician asking, “what problems do you have?,” they may ask, “what would you like to be better?”
Parents can be cautious in the language they use to explain their concerns to the clinician as well. Avoiding language that is shaming or blaming, and instead focus on a desire for positive solutions.
4. E is for Emotions
Normalizing, reflecting, and validating the emotional experience of a doctor’s visit can be paramount for reducing anxiety and promoting a healthy relationship with the doctor. Children and families can be reminded that it is very common to feel some anxiety or fear, especially going to somewhere unfamiliar or where there has been fear before.
An experienced and sensitive clinician will take the time to appreciate, help with emotions that arise during the visit, and make referrals to psychology as needed.
Parents can also be attuned and sensitive to these emotions as well. They can (within appropriate boundaries), share their own emotions with the child, and model healthy coping. They can also validate the importance of these emotions by seeking mental health support.
Finally, get peace and help from your healthcare
Taking your child to the doctor can be challenging and exhausting. Between busy schedules, taking time off of work, and overall stress of school and daily life, anxiety about the appointment can feel like another annoyance just to get through.
If you or your child are experiencing medical-related anxiety or trauma, you are not alone! At Pediatric Pain and Behavioral Health, Dr. Foxen-Craft helps children, teens, and young adults with the overlap between mental and physical health. You’ll get an advocate for your child’s healthcare, and help your child and family learn coping and communication skills to handle the difficult moments. We work together to make sure that sessions feel beneficial and empowering to you and your child.
When you call or complete a request for a call back form, you’ll get a free phone consultation with 1) choices for care, 2) a personalized agenda for evaluation and treatment, 3) a consideration for your child and family’s strengths, and 4) thoughtful attention to you and your child’s emotions about psychology. We can work together to create healthy coping strategies and a positive system of support for you and your family.