483: Managing anxiety when facing a serious medical test
This week we're discussing how to manage anxiety when facing a serious medical test, like a biopsy or blood test and how to support yourself getting through the test and while waiting for results.
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Points covered in this episode:
Nobody likes to be scrutinized in this way
Firstly, softening toward yourself. Most people are uncomfortable with medical scrutiny. We don't like being focused on in a place that's set up to examine our bodies and look for potential problems. So self-compassion comes first. Be kind to yourself about your anxiety. Accept how you feel with no judgement.
TALKING WITH TRUSTED FRIENDS
It’s important to choose carefully who to share anxiety with. A grounded friend who can hold space for you in confidence is the best choice. We need to be able to voice and externalise our fears and, often in doing so, we feel less isolated and can open to receiving support.
Ask yourself what's at the root of the fear?
Is it the scrutiny? Fear of a possible unwanted outcome? Anxiety over your mortality?
Or the tests themselves? For example fear of needles or feeling confined in a scan.
It's not the same for everyone. Understanding your personal concerns can be the first step to getting support.
Usually, when we explore our anxiety, it spikes at first, we touch in our fear and it feels awful, but once you know the specifics of our anxiety you can get help. You might choose to speak to a counsellor, or book in with a Tapping practitioner, or talk with a spiritual mentor.
There are many ways to make peace with our fear, and that's what we need to do.
EFT Tapping TO CALM WHITE COAT ANXIETY
EFT Tapping can be used in a variety of ways to calm the fear of tests and white coat anxiety. Listen in to hear our suggestions and personal stories of how we have coped with recent medical tests.
Resources for this episode:
The SOS Tapping Sessions and guided Quick Anxiety Stopper 3 point tapping practice for calming high anxiety can be found in our First Responder Course for Anxiety Attacks
And in our First Responder Course for Health Anxiety you will find our Guided Tapping Sessions for calming the fear that there may be something wrong with you, our healing affirmations, and a lesson on the Bach Flower Remedies that help most with Health Anxiety and how to create your own supportive blend.
You can find both courses at anxietyslayer.teachable.com