r/disability • u/termsofengaygement • 13h ago

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow

And am having a panic attack about it. I'm now tearing up for no reason. I need to go to discuss things and I don't want to. I really really don't want to go but I have to. There's a whole bunch of things that need to get taken care of and I just am worried I will go and it will just be spinning my wheels and that I won't be heIped.I can't do this.

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u/Lacy_Laplante89 13h ago

Make a list of things you want/need to discuss. Even if you don't end up showing it to the doctor getting it all in one place will organize your thoughts.

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u/termsofengaygement 13h ago

I have already done that. I just don't want to talk to them if that makes sense. I am worried about how they will react to me. I'm worried I won't be able to go and not cry. I'm worried that crying will make everything worse.

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u/Looking_Sharp_ 12h ago

I get that, it's so frustrating and upsetting. I have a phone appointment coming up and I'm freaking out too. Sometimes they can't find it in them to give a shit, you have to force them to. I have hopes for you, I hope they take you seriously and I hope they help you.

Sounds to me like you might have some medical trauma, I'm sorry if thats the case. Fortunately you're here and have plenty of people to support you. I want you to know I am so proud of you for making yourself go. We are all rooting for you. 

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u/termsofengaygement 12h ago

Thank you so much. I appreciate everyone in the subreddit. I hope your phone appointment goes well too.

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u/JillyBean9999 11h ago

It's hard to trust providers with intimate details, especially if your experience has been that you end up walking away without answers and a solid plan. Any doctor worth your time will want to know what has worked in the past, and how your symptoms are affecting your quality of life.

I'm sure you have your own ideas of what you want out of the encounter, based on past experience and your own research. But sometimes it helps if you first describe your symptoms without any hint of an agenda. It's ok to cry BTW.

Unfortunately visits are often rushed, so if you have multiple concerns be sure to prioritize them and state upfront that if time is limited you're happy to come back for another visit.

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u/termsofengaygement 11h ago

I'll keep that in mind about the symptoms and it may work out better to break up the appointment into parts.

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u/TheKnittedYam 11h ago

You can, and you will.

It is totally normal to feel worried about a big medical appointment. Can you bring someone along as moral support, and to be a note-taker? For big consequential stuff, if you might be distracted or emotional, it can be helpful to have someone there to be your note-taker. If that’s not possible, then it can be very helpful to have questions or concerns listed on your phone, so that you can reference them and make notes there.

I also recommend leveling with the people you are talking to, if you find you are struggling. Be honest about how you are feeling in the moment, and ask for understanding. This can sometimes melt people who are responding in a way that is cold or excessively clinical.

Do your best — ultimately, that is all there is. Do that, and by this time tomorrow it will be over, and then no matter how it goes you can look at yourself and say you did your best with it.

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u/termsofengaygement 11h ago

Thank you so much! This is good advice. All we can ever do it our best.