710: How to support yourself before doctor’s visits and medical tests
This week on the Anxiety Slayer podcast we’re responding to a question from our private Facebook group about how to prepare for and face, doctor's appointments, medical testing, and your results without being terrified.
Points covered in this episode:
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 the fear of needles or feeling confined in a scan.
It's not the same for everyone. Understanding your personal concerns is the first step to getting support.
You might choose to speak to a counselor, or book in with a Tapping practitioner, or talk with a spiritual mentor.
The discomfort of scrutiny
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.
Anxiety about the test itself
For example, fear of needles, or confinement in a scan.
What helps with tests?
Book the time of day that is best for you
Bookend appointments - put something good the other side of appointments
EFT Tapping
What helps in general?
Understanding that our mind is often causing the anxiety with “what if” and worst case scenario thinking.
Bach flower remedies
Rescue Remedy: is a combination of 5 remedies known to relieve stress, shock and anxiety.
There are other remedies in the Bach Flower collection that can help anxiety too:
Aspen: Panic, nightmares, pounding heart, sweating for no reason, anxious but don’t know why.
Mimulus: Helps with type of fear that you can identify, such as medical tests, or waiting for results.
White Chestnut: Helps persistent unwanted thoughts, and preoccupation with something that’s on your mind.
EFT Tapping
EFT Tapping can be used in a variety of ways to calm the fear of tests and white coat anxiety.
Talking with trusted friends
It’s important to choose carefully who to share health 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 externalize our fears and, often in doing so, we feel less isolated and can open to receiving support.
Resources for this episode:
The SOS Tapping Sessions on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/anxietyslayer
And our Freedom From Health Anxiety Course, where 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 at www.AnxietySlayerAcademy.com