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Q: My adult daughter avoids going to the doctor because she fears any medical testing. How can I help her get the care she needs? 

A: It’s normal to be apprehensive about having a medical test, particularly one that can cause discomfort or pose some other risk.  

Even a simple blood test involves a moment of discomfort, and some people faint at the sight of the approaching needle. 

Some people worry about getting other medical tests, such as CT scans, because they involve exposure to radiation.  

And being moved into the cramped confines of an MRI machine can spark panic for someone with claustrophobia. 

People with a different phobia are afraid to see a doctor, even a doctor they know and like. For others, a medical exam can feel like an invasion of your privacy, and some parts of the physical examination may be uncomfortable.  

Perhaps most of all, people fear the visit to the doctor will bring bad news. 

Fortunately, there are ways to cope with these anxieties and important reasons why you should. 

To decide if skipping a test is a bigger problem than getting it, have her talk it over with you or another loved one or doctor, and try the following: 

• Change your perspective. Avoiding a test won’t change the possibility that there might be a health problem. And if there is a problem, knowing that as soon as possible will give you more treatment options, and possibly a cure.
• Arm yourself with information. Talk to your doctor to get more information about a test and its risks. Or do some research on trusted websites such as Harvard Health Publishing, Mayo Clinic or the National Library of Medicine.
• Make the test more comfortable. Tell your medical provider about your concerns. 

If you need a procedure that involves a needle, ask the clinician to numb the area with a topical agent prior to needle insertion.  

Your provider can prescribe a tranquilizer to ease the fear of an imaging test such as a mammogram. If you’re claustrophobic. Ask for an “open” MRI, which takes place in a machine that is open on the sides (unlike a standard MRI). 

To help your daughter better cope, share these strategies with her: 

• Bring a friend with you. The buddy can hold your hand and comfort you during the experience.
• Try relaxation exercises. Do some deep breathing. Or focus on a happy experience: How did things look, taste, smell or sound?
• Look away from the needle. You’ll focus on pain if you watch the needle go into your arm. Instead, look away and try to distract yourself.
• Focus on something fun. Have something arranged that you can look forward to after the test, like watching a new movie. It will help you get through the experience and provide a nice reward afterward.

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