By: Jennifer Dubose, BA, Psychology
What Is Iatrophobia?
You’ve had intermittent sharp pain in your abdomen for 24 hours. The max dosage of Tylenol isn’t touching the pain. Nausea has set in, and you’re curled up on your bed praying for relief. A voice in the back of your mind is telling you to go to the hospital, to see a doctor. But that thought is even more terrifying than the pain you’re in.
If the thought of seeing a doctor leaves you reeling with anxiety, you may be suffering from iatrophobia (pronounced [eye-a-trah-fo-bee-ah]). It’s not specified under the DSM-V but could fall under the diagnosis F40.232 — Fear of Other Medical Care. It is also closely related to White Coat Syndrome and sometimes referred to as Latrophobia (a fear of doctors and hospitals).
Statistics
- Approximately 3% of the population is afraid of doctors (David Yusko).
- In one study, 33.3% of 1,369 people surveyed avoided going to the doctor because of a previous negative experience.
- Fear of doctors can range from a lack of communication to worry that the medical professional isn’t qualified.
Why are People Afraid of Doctors?
Conditioned Response
Many people can pinpoint an exact experience that led to their fear — a doctor who lacked empathy, painful shots, uncomfortable exams. Avoiding physicians only increases anxiety the longer it continues.
Traumatic Illness
Having gone through surgeries, accidents, or serious illness can make doctor visits feel loaded — you only see doctors when something is terribly wrong, so an appointment can spiral into worst-case-scenario thinking.
The Wrong Doctor for You
Many people report a lack of rapport with their doctor — feeling unheard, belittled, or that their concerns weren’t taken seriously.
Expertise is not Enough
Even well-trained doctors make mistakes. Past misdiagnoses or horror stories can leave a general distrust that a physician can accurately treat you.
The Fear of the Unknown
Fear of endless tests with no explanation, or of a worst-case diagnosis, can make it feel safer to leave a health issue unknown than face the truth.
Television Doctors
Portrayals of doctors on TV may shape how people feel about the profession — House (cranky but always right), ER, Doogie Houser M.D., Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs.
How to Overcome Your Fear of Doctors
- Do your research and choose a doctor with expertise and training you’re comfortable with. If you’re underwhelmed after a visit, you have the right to switch.
- If past illness memories make you avoid the doctor, remind yourself your health comes first — even bad news is better addressed than watched from a distance. An unexplained set of symptoms is also something your doctor can help explore, including referrals to specialists.
- Break the conditioned response: schedule the appointment first thing in the morning so you don’t have time to overthink. Drive to the clinic, take deep breaths in the parking lot, arrive a few minutes early, and bring a distraction (crossword, coloring book, phone game).
- If scheduling feels too daunting, start smaller — look at photos of doctors’ offices and equipment, practice calming breathing, or watch a lighthearted show involving doctors (like Scrubs) to build comfort gradually.
What if my Child is Afraid of Doctors?
- Assure your child it’s okay to be afraid and find out specifically what scares them (a shot? being poked and prodded?).
- For shot fears, have the provider hide the needle and distract your child with a comparison to a minor, quickly-forgotten pain.
- Help your child associate the visit with something rewarding — a fun bandage, a book or game in the waiting room, a small treat afterward.
- If your child is sick, remind them the doctor will help them feel better, and reassure them you’ll be there the whole time.
Advanced Treatment
For more advanced treatment, explore counseling — a therapist can develop a personalized treatment plan and hold regular sessions to address ongoing concerns. Online therapy is also a popular option (BetterHelp review linked).
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Related post links: Astraphobia (fear of lightning), Overcome Aviophobia (fear of flying), Gamophobia (fear of commitment)