Why People Avoid Seeing a Doctor - And Why You Shouldn't
Some people take a lot of care with their health, and they make an appointment with the doctor as soon as they have a problem they deem serious enough to warrant it. Others are highly cautious and visit the doctor often whenever they're even slightly under the weather.
At the other extreme, there are those who avoid seeing a doctor until they're practically unable to function, and they're the ones who are really putting their health at risk. There are numerous reasons people put off doctor's appointments, but they're almost always unfounded. Here are some of the common ones, and why you should ignore them and get an appointment as soon as possible.
Feeling like a time-waster
People often convince themselves that whatever symptoms they have will go away on their own and that they'll just be wasting a doctor's time if they see one. This can have disastrous outcomes for your health, however.
If you're someone who usually avoids the doctor and you're even considering the fact that an appointment may be necessary, there's a good chance you have a legitimate reason. Doctors see people with all kinds of seemingly minor problems, including real hypochondriacs, so they won't think you're wasting their time.
Self-diagnosis
The internet is great for many things, but it's increasingly leading people to try and diagnose their own symptoms. On the one end of the scale, there are those who frighten themselves into thinking everything is a sign of some terrible disease. At the other end are people who give themselves peace of mind by deciding on the least serious thing they find.
Only a qualified doctor can diagnose you with any certainty, so get real peace of mind by seeing one.
Being too busy
No matter how busy you are, you can find time to see your doctor. Many health centres offer appointments out of hours and at weekends, so they should be able to fit you in somewhere convenient.
Fear of diagnosis
There are plenty of things nobody wants to hear their doctor say, but you don't really know what the diagnosis will be until you're told it. If you're given good news, you can stop worrying and eliminate a big source of stress.
On the other hand, if you do have something serious, there's never a time when finding out as soon as possible isn't helpful in treating it. The longer you put it off, the higher your risk of serious consequences.
Embarrassment
Some problems are definitely more embarrassing than others, but doctors really have seen it all. There's no reason for you to be embarrassed, and the doctor certainly won't pass any judgement on you, whatever your issue.
If you prefer to see either a male or female doctor, let your clinic know and they'll accommodate your request.
Share
