I have anxiety disorder. I have been through therapy. However, I have a HUGE phobia regarding doctors. I grew up with a dad who was always sick with cancer and as a child my sister and I were always going with my mother to take my dad to the hospital whether it be in the middle of the night or whenever. Whenever I have a scheduled appointment with a DR I will have huge anticipatory anxiety "weeks" before the appointment and when I do go I am a basket case. I feel that I am more scared of the fear itself than anything that could be wrong. Also I have tachycardia (resting pulse can be 88-90) so my heart rate could go up to 140+ stepping into the DR office. I feel like I am fighting a losing battle in ever having a calming experience at the doctors. Does anyone else out there suffer from tachycardia/anxiety disorder? I am afraid of taking an antidepressant because of the reaction I have had before with my heart rate. I feel that I have a double whammy between the anxiety and heart rate. Any advice???

Many of us here have the same problem going to doctors.

What I do is go to the accute care centers when I am feeling halfway and when I'm near one so I don't have to think about it.

Doing things spur of the moment is sometimes better for people like us.

Dear Worrier

The last time I went to the DR he told me my heart rate would go down about ten beats per minnute if I would just relax. Needless to say this was a lot easier said than done, so I can relate. Also I too have had rapid heart rate problems with anti-depressants. Therefore, I'm not taking any either. But the beauty of the program is it treats the cause of the anxiety and depression, not just the symptoms, like medications do. So anti-depressants aren't usually neccessary for the program to work. However, if you do feel you need to take something, ask your DR about an anti-anxiety medication instead of an anti-depressant. These have a more calming effect while anti-depressants have a tendancy to lift you up rather than calm you down.

Best O' Luck Mellie

WOW! I can relate. Normally my heart rate is approximnately 80 bpm. But when I get in the Doctor's office it jumps to 100-120 bpm. On the Tape 3 forum. I discussed my recent trip for a physical. I had not had a physical in a long time so I was concerned about what they may find and what they were going to do. Well, everything turned out and my blood pressure was down but my hear rate was high. the doctor just concluded that I needed to make more office visits to get used to them. He scheduled me for June 7th just to check my heart rate. Well this is going to be something to look forward to. I identify with what you are going through. we are in this together. All I can tell you is to use the relaxation tape. I also started dsome simple yoga exercises to try and retrainin my breathing. It's still early but it looks like that is helping to some degree. Let me know how things go.

I though I was really weird for getting anxious before and during doctors appointments.

My heart rate is usually up also, but I have explained to them that I am anxious about appointments, and that as long as I haven't actually passed out (did that when I was young) I was doing ok! I found that it helped to just tell the doctor's they scare the beejesus out of me! Once I get that out of the way, I relax visibly and by the time my visit is over, my anxiety is totally gone.

Most doctors are very understanding of "doctor fear", if any one has one that isn't it's time to switch doctors.

I haven't tried any of the anti-depressants, but do take anti-anxiety medication, it helps relax me, but I still have to practice the positive self-talk, and breathing. Yoga is wonderful for learning how to bring your heart rate down, breathing techniques, as well as meditation.

I also don't plan my appointments in advance, I am fortunate that my doctor also runs the Urgent Care in my area and can usually just pop over if I need to.

I don't plan my appointments in advance either and I go to an Urgent Care facility. Funny to think about how many others in the waiting room feel the same?

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)