[ SECRET POST #2121 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #2121 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.


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02.
[Darths and Droids]


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03.
[Captain America & Iron Man]


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04.
[The Walking Dead]


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05.
[Divergent]


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06.
[SPN RPF]


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07.
[Sanctuary]


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08.
[Person of Interest]


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09.
[Last Exile]


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10.
[Hugo Weaving / Sam Neill]


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11.
[Type-Moon]


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12.
[Spec Ops: The Line]


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13.
[Quantum Leap]


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14.
[Tom Hiddleston]


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15.
[Labyrinth]


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16.
[Trent & Mariqueen Reznor, How to Destroy Angels]


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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 051 secrets from Secret Submission Post #303.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ], [ 1 - posted twice ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I'm in the same boat, and here's what's helped for me. I can't do much about the transportation issue as I'm a non-driver to begin with, but maybe some of this will help with the everything else.

*See if you can find a doctor who will let you schedule an appointment just to talk with them- no procedures at all, just to discuss your medical needs and how they can meet them. Save scheduling the actual check up until after you've talked strategy. You'll probably be charged for this the same as an actual doctor visit, but if you can afford it, it will be worth it.

*Whether you're going to an appointment or just a talk, spend some time beforehand thinking about what it is that sets you off. Don't do it to the point where you give yourself panic attacks or anything, but the more you're able to rationally explain what your issues and needs are- and, if you can think of anything, what the doctor can do to make things easier for you- the more likely you are to be treated with respect even when you're not rational. Also, being able to take control of the situation, even just in a little way like this, helps make things less scary.

*On that note, unless you have no other options, don't keep going to doctors who don't respect you. If they make you feel like shit because of your phobia, find someone else. You want to be treated by people who will allay the fear, not feed it.

*If you need to practice what you're going to say beforehand or write things out on notecards, that's ok. (It's also a good idea for medical stuff in general, even for non-phobic people.)

*Look into the possibility of scheduling blood draws and other involved procedures separately.

*If you can, try to schedule your appointment so that you don't have any other responsibilities that day. If you have and can spare it, consider taking a sick day. Give yourself plenty of time before and after for whatever you need to soothe yourself.

*If needles are part of your issue, look into ways of reducing the sensation of the procedure, like topical anesthetics or the Buzzy vibrating ice pack.

*Consider trying short-acting anti-anxiety medication. You'll need a prescription to get it, but it doesn't necessarily have to be from the doctor you're going to- if there is anyone in the medical field who you feel safe with (a dentist, a psychiatrist, a gynecologist, etc) they might be able to help you get at least the one dose you need to get to your general practitioner this once. If you can get to and through this one appointment, the GP can provide for you in the long term.

*Even if the meds you get/the meds that work best for you aren't safe to drive on, you can still manage it driving yourself if you can set aside a big enough block of time. Bring books or video games or something to keep occupied, show up early and take your pill/s in the waiting room, and hang around until they wear off.

*Unless you're under 18, involuntarily committed, or under guardianship, you have an absolute right to refuse any and all kinds of medical care. You may need to doctor shop to find someone willing to work with you and your insurance (if any) may give you a hard time, but in the end, your consent or refusal to consent is absolute. If you need to opt out of certain types of medical treatment, either until you feel safe in your doctor/patient relationship or indefinitely, you have the right to do so.

*Some care is better than none. And it's good to have someone you can turn to if you do come down acutely ill- as awful as regular doctors can be, urgent care or emergency room doctors are often worse. Better the devil you know. If all you can tolerate is taking your temperature, listening to your heart and lungs, and talking about any changes in your health, that's still better preventative care than not seeing anyone at all.