Here at Matthews Internal Medicine we know that, for children, going to the doctor can be a scary experience. A doctor’s office can be a new and unfamiliar area. They might associate it with the terrible feelings they’ve had when they were ill in the past.
Visits to the doctor are an important part of life though, and a child can’t just get out of them because they fear the doctor. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to help alleviate your child’s fear of the doctor.
Bring Something Special From Home
Whether it’s a stuffed animal or a blanket, bringing something special from home can help reduce your child’s anxiety levels at the doctor’s office. A little bit of familiarity can really help calm them down in an unfamiliar area. You may be surprised at how much of a difference one small thing from home can make.
Encourage an Older Sibling to Go First
If your child has an older brother or sister, encourage them to go first. When they come back from their examination, your younger child will see that nothing’s wrong with them. Maybe they’ll soon realize that there isn’t anything to fear from the doctor’s office.
Make Plans for After
You can also ensure that a trip to the doctor’s office is less stressful by making fun plans for afterwards. If your child knows that they’ll get to spend some time at the park or at the movies, it may take some stress out of the doctor’s visit. They’ll know that there’s something to look forward to.
Praise Them for Good Behavior
After a visit to our family practice, it also pays to praise your child for good behavior. If they cooperated with the doctor, if they received a shot without complaining, or if they were just generally on their best behavior, you want them to know it. They’ll start to associate the doctor’s office with positive feelings.
Point Out the Positive
On that same note, make sure you emphasize the positive things that happened during your child’s doctor visit. Maybe they ended up needing a shot, but maybe they also received a sticker from their doctor for their good behavior. Perhaps they had a good time playing with another child in the waiting room. Focusing on the positive parts of the experience can help your child focus on the good aspects of their doctor’s visit.
Be Honest
When kids are going to the doctor, it’s wise to tell them exactly what to expect. Let them know that they’re going to be examined. If they’re getting a shot, tell them. And then tell them how getting a shot can actually help them even if it ends up hurting for a second. If a child knows what to expect they may be less afraid once they actually go into the doctor’s office.
Validate Their Concerns
Make sure that you acknowledge your child’s fear of the doctor. They’re not being completely irrational when they’re scared of painful shots or unfamiliar areas. If your child knows that you’re on their side, they’ll be more confident. Contact the family medicine experts at our office for more tips or to schedule an appointment.