It’s normal to be apprehensive about having a medical test, particularly one that can cause discomfort or pose some other risk. Even a simple blood test involves a moment of discomfort, and some people faint at the sight of the approaching needle. Some people worry about getting other medical tests, such as CT scans, because they involve exposure to radiation.
And being moved into the cramped confines of an MRI machine can spark panic for someone with claustrophobia. People with a different phobia are afraid to see a doctor, even a doctor they know and like. For others, a medical exam can feel like an invasion of your privacy, and some parts of the physical examination may be uncomfortable.
Perhaps most of all, people fear the visit to the doctor will bring bad news. Fortunately, there are ways to cope with these anxieties, and important reasons why you should. To decide if skipping a test is a bigger problem than getting it, have her talk it over with you or another loved one or doctor, and try the following: n Change your perspective.
Avoiding a test won’t change the possibility that there might be a health problem. And if there is a problem, knowing that as soon as possible will give you more treatment options, and possibly a cure. n Arm yourself with information.
Talk to your doctor to get more information about a test and its risks. Or do some research on trusted websites such as Harvard Health Publishing or the National Library of Medicine. n Make the test more comf.