I have always been afraid of doctors and I suspect many people are, especially people who have had negative or even devastating experiences with medical issues. Hate to say it, but it increases as you get older and more prone to get one disease or another.
Talking with other people, I at least make it to the doctor, humiliating as it is at times, but I realize that many people don’t. My manicurist, middle-aged, confessed that she never has seen a doctor, not even when pregnant. She gave birth at home without medication. Then another nail technician piped in, saying he set his own broken bone. He showed us his misshapen arm. This should not happen.
I, at least, want the meds, but am always afraid of finding out i have some dreaded disease.
I see a show sometimes called “Pimple Popper,” a kind of disgusting title, but I can’t believe how many people live with some growth that has expanded to the size of a cantaloupe and still haven’t seen a doctor.
Sometimes it’s out of fear, somtimes lack of insurance and funds to pay for a doctor visit and procedure.
I call this FOFO (fear of finding out). This, and self-diagnosing via internet and asking non-medical people, sometimes leads to missed diagnosis that have really bad consequences.
On the other spectrum are people who are misdiagnosed or dismissed as being obsessive or fearful, thereby causing their own illness.
I’m determined to be more brave, being more of an example to my children and family.
Get those screenings, no matter how uncomfortable.
Look into aid for medical care if you don’t have insurance.
It’s better to know, and a relief if you’re found to be healthy.
So, instead of “dreaded doctor,” I’m trying to call medicine and doctors “harbingers of health.”
Not all docs are equal; if you find one who is dismissive or brusk with you or doesn’t answer questions, find another.
Someone once said that 50% of doctors graduated in the bottom of their class….
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