Medical Anxiety
I've always been anxious about medical stuff, it has always taken me a long time to actually go and get the help I need. I'm especially anxious about invasive stuff, to the point where I ask to get fillings and things are done without anaesthetic.
So over a month ago I went to the doctor about something and they told me to get a blood test. I understood before going that it was something I would probably be told to do but I'm so anxious I've avoided it for so long now. I've just ignored it for the most part but the couple of times when I've thought about it I've had full-on breakdowns about it. I've had similar reactions whenever I've had to go get a vaccine but this time its worse because I'm unfamiliar with the environment and it just keeps getting worse the more I think about it. I've been trying to work myself up to the idea but I just can't. I don't want to. I feel so sick and uncomfortable. I don't know what to do.
Comments
I can relate to this @Rattata. I'm a blood test veteran, but they make me a bit anxious too.
Here are some of my top tips:
- Ask the staff if there is anything that they can suggest to make the procedure easier for you. Let them know it's your first blood test.
- If you're worried about pain, you can possibly get numbing cream or patches from a chemist or ask the staff to use a butterfly needle. Some places also have devices that vibrate or have ice packs attached to them that are supposed to dull pain of injections.
- Drink lots of water before the test unless they specifically tell you not to. If I am dehydrated, it is harder for them to get my blood.
- Let the staff know if you feel lightheaded and ask to lie down if you feel sick.
- Do something to distract yourself during the test, such as reading something, playing a game on your phone, listening to music, etc.
- Bring something like crackers to eat afterwards, especially if it's a fasting blood test or you feel lightheaded.
- Staff are usually happy to give you special instructions if you call in advance.
I hope everything goes well with the test @Rattata. Remember, it's your choice. 
Thanks @WheresMySquishy,
yeah I really try and take my mind off stuff while it’s happening but it’s the sort of thing where you just end up thinking about the fact you need to stop thinking about the thing.
I’ll keep all of that in mind though.
Hi @Rattata. Medical anxiety sucks...
Seeing a psychologist like @Sophia-RO says sounds like a really good step.
Do you know what triggers the anxiety? Like I know some people don't like needles specifically, while others don't like interacting with doctors.
Have you found anything that reduces the stress? Like when I get blood tests, I try to line up something nice after the test so that I can think about that while the test is being done.
Yeah I'm really really stressed about it and everything right now. I really just want to want to go get it but I just can't.
@Sophia-RO It would be good to talk to a psychologist about a lot of things but I've never known how to start anything like that. My mum recently gave me a link to some counselling through her work but it's only for three sessions and it's more for minor everyday life stuff.
@Tiny_leaf I'm anxious around anything medical, the people, the needles, the not knowing how to describe stuff so I can get the most out of something. I am particularly anxious about anything where they have to examine you or needles. My parents don't seem to recall me having problems with anything before year 7 but I remember kicking and screaming for ages when they were trying to do a barium test in hospital when I was 2.
I've always been really anxious about vaccinations but when I was young I always had my mum or dad there, and in year 7 even though I had issues and had to be put on the crash mat every time, people were there and I understood what was happening. So I've never done any of this stuff alone and I've never had a blood test and I'm just so scared and don't know how I'm ever going to get it done.
Doing something nice afterwards is a good idea but I don't think there's really anything that can take my mind off everything.
That sucks @Rattata... have you ever had a blood test before? I could talk you through what happens if you think it would help.
You can also get numbing creams so that you can't feel the needle if that's something that might help..
@Tiny_leaf @No I’ve never done a blood test so walking me through it might be a little helpful thanks 
Also yeah, I only considered that path for the duration of year 11. Gone down a very different path now.
@Rattata it's pretty boring honestly. you walk in and get to sit on a comfy chair, but it's not that comfy because the fabric is waterproof. You'll need to answer the person's questions like name and date of birth and maybe address because they need to make sure that you're the right person and not some random who felt like getting a blood test for some reason. If you have a preference for which arm they use it's a good idea to tell them now.
Anyway then they'll put a band around your arm. It's kinda tight but it doesn't hurt at all. They'll sanitise the inside of your elbow and probably poke around for a bit. It slightly tickles. I find this all interesting but if you're nervous it's best to look away and think about the nice thing that'll happen after. Then there'll be a small sting in the crook of your elbow, and they'll remove the band. They'll probably try to make small talk at this point. It's honestly kinda boring. If they're taking more than one vial it might sting a bit when they change vials, but if anything hurts or feels uncomfortable, or if you feel dizzy, you can tell them.
Then they'll take the needle out and put a cotton bud on your arm and probably tell you to put pressure on it. This is just to stop bruising. They'll mess around a bit and then put a bandaid on your arm. They might just tape the cotton bud to your arm but if you're lucky you'll get a purpose made sticky dot. And then you can leave and do the nice thing you have planned. I normally get something nice to eat, because that also helps with any dizziness.
And then you're done!
@Tiny_leaf Hahaha I really like the way you describe things, especially the part at the start. Hearing about the procedure does still make me feel really icky and like I'm going to pass out just thinking about it (it's inevitable that I'm going to blackout when I do go) but thanks
@Rattata paramedicine's pretty cool. It probably feels a lot different when you're actually the doctor, you could probably still do that if you wanted to.
Thinking about it now, I genuinely don't understand how I ever seriously considered doing paramedicine or anything in the medical field.
