Helping Your Child Overcome Their Fear of the Doctor

Sometimes going to the Doctor’s can be scary, especially when there’s talk about a shot or having to undergo a non-routine procedure (blood work, x-ray, CT scan, etc.).  Kids can feel overwhelmed in the Doctor’s office; it’s a (relatively) new space, there are people they don’t know and tools/machines that they have no idea what they do. So, here are a few tips to help ease some of your child’s worries, as well as some of your own.

 

Talk To Them

 

Talk to your child, let them know what to expect; a lot of anxiety can stem from the fear of the unknown. Walk them through the whole process from start to finish; if you are unsure of what exactly will happen ask a nurse or the Doctor walk through the process during the visit.

 

 

Role Play

 

Play a game of pretend where you are the Doctor and your child is the patient and go through a routine appointment. Then have your child be the Doctor and you be the patient.

 

 

Validate Their Feelings

 

Regardless if you know your child will be fine, let them know that you understand that they are nervous; however going to the Doctor is how people stay healthy. Remain calm and empathetic when soothing them; sometimes a hug or holding hands is just what’s needed.

 

 

“Help Me Help You”

 

Sometimes kids don’t know how to express or even understand exactly what worries them. Try walking through the Doctor’s appointment again and have your child voice at which parts they feel most nervous about, then talk to them about why they feel that way.

 

 

Stick Together

 

Try staying next to your child during the appointment; touching their arm, holding their hand can help them feel safe. If needed your child maybe allowed to sit on your lap for the Doctor to check vitals. You can also give your child some control by allowing them to choose where to sit, choosing which arm for the blood pressure cuff, which ear to look into first, etc.

 

 

Bring a Friend 

 

Bring along your child’s favorite stuffed animal and ask the Doctor to “examine” it to make sure it’s healthy. If you’re expecting that your child will be given a shot, ask the doctor to “give” one to the stuffed animal as well. Show your child that their friend is brave and healthy.

 

 

Speaking About Shots

 

Don’t beat around the bush, let your child know that they’ll be given a shot. Reassure them that no one likes to get shots, but it helps us stay healthy. If your child is anxious about the shot ask the Doctor if there is a way to get the shot first and have the exam after to get it out of the way.

 

 

Give Them Something to Look Forward to

 

Let them know after the Doctors appointment, that you’ll take them to get ice cream, or fast food or any other place that your child loves as a reward.

 

 

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

 

Talk to your child after the appointment ask them how they felt every step of the way; what the best and worst parts of the appointment were. Follow up with the good things you heard, like how big they’ve grown since the last appointment. or a sticker that the Doctor gave them for doing a good job.