Hospital appointments and medical anxiety: getting through the scary bits

Hospital appointments can bring up lots of different feelings. You might feel nervous about seeing your doctor, worry that a test will hurt, or feel anxious because you don't know what is going to happen.

Maybe you have blood tests, scans, procedures or regular appointments to check how your IBD is doing. Even if you've been to hospital lots of times before, it doesn't mean you will always feel comfortable going back.

You might worry about bad news, needles, pain, or having to talk about things that feel embarrassing. You might even feel anxious days before your appointment arrives.

If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Feeling worried about medical appointments is common, and there are things you can do to help make them feel a little easier.

💭 Why do hospital appointments make me nervous?

There are lots of reasons why medical appointments can feel scary, and everyone experiences them differently.

You might be worried about:

• Not knowing what will happen. Waiting for someone to explain a test or procedure can make your imagination run wild.

• Pain or discomfort. You might remember a blood test, cannula or other procedure that hurt or felt uncomfortable.

• Getting bad news. You may worry that your IBD is getting worse or that your treatment will need to change.

• Feeling out of control. Having other people make decisions about your health can sometimes feel overwhelming.

• Embarrassing questions. Talking about bowel movements, toilet habits or other personal symptoms might feel awkward.

• Missing out. You might be frustrated about missing school, sport, time with friends or other things you enjoy.

Sometimes, you might not even know exactly what you're worried about. You just know that hospitals make you feel uncomfortable.

Whatever the reason, your feelings are real. You don't have to feel embarrassed about being scared, and you don't have to pretend to be brave all the time.

🩺 Knowing what to expect can help

One of the hardest parts of a medical appointment can be not knowing what is going to happen.

If you are feeling worried, ask your parent or carer to help you find out what the appointment will involve.

You might want to know:

• Who will you see?

• Will you need any tests?

• Will you need a blood test or cannula?

• How long might the appointment take?

• Will you need to prepare beforehand?

• Is there anything you should bring?

You can also ask your doctor or nurse to explain what they plan to do before they start.

Knowing what to expect won't always make the nerves disappear, but it can help you feel more prepared.

Remember, it is okay to ask questions more than once if you don't understand something. You deserve to know what is happening to your body.

🌬️ Calming your nerves before an appointment

Sometimes, the worry starts long before you even arrive at the hospital. You might think about the appointment at bedtime, feel sick with nerves in the morning, or keep imagining everything that could go wrong.

Here are a few things you can try to help settle your mind.

Try slow breathing.

Breathe in gently through your nose, then breathe out slowly. Repeat this a few times without forcing your breath. You don't have to take huge breaths; just aim for a comfortable, steady rhythm.

Listen to something you enjoy.

Your favourite music, an audiobook or a podcast can help distract you while travelling to hospital or waiting for your appointment.

Bring something comforting.

You might like to bring headphones, a favourite hoodie, a book, a small toy or something else that helps you feel more relaxed.

Talk about your worries.

Tell your parent, carer or another trusted adult what is making you anxious. Sometimes, saying your fears out loud can make them feel less overwhelming.

Focus on one step at a time.

Instead of thinking about the entire appointment, focus on the next small step. That might be getting dressed, travelling to hospital, checking in or meeting your nurse.

You don't have to work through the whole appointment in your head before it happens.

💉 When you're scared of needles or blood tests

Blood tests and cannulas can be particularly scary, especially if you've had a painful experience before.

You might worry about the needle, the feeling of it going in, seeing blood or not knowing when it will happen.

If needles make you anxious, tell your nurse before the test starts. They are used to helping people who feel nervous, and they may be able to offer ways to make the experience easier.

You could try:

• Looking away. You don't have to watch if seeing the needle makes you more anxious.

• Using a distraction. Listen to music, watch a video, play a game or chat with someone.

• Keeping your body relaxed. Let your arm rest comfortably and follow the nurse's instructions.

• Asking about numbing cream. Some hospitals can offer numbing cream or other options to reduce discomfort. Ask your healthcare team whether this is suitable and how far in advance it needs to be applied.

• Having someone beside you. A parent, carer or another trusted person may be able to hold your hand or talk to you during the test.

If you feel dizzy, faint or very panicky, tell the nurse straight away so they can help you safely.

And remember, you can ask the nurse to explain each step before they do it. You can also ask whether a short pause is possible.

Being scared of needles doesn't make you weak. It is something you can learn to manage with support.

🗣️ It's okay to speak up

When you're at hospital, you might feel like the adults know everything and you should just do what you're told.

But you are an important part of your healthcare team, too.

You are allowed to ask questions, explain how you feel and tell someone when you are scared or uncomfortable.

You could say:

• "I'm feeling really nervous about this."

• "Can you explain what you're going to do before you start?"

• "I'm worried this might hurt. Can you tell me what it will feel like?"

• "Can you talk me through each step?"

• "Can we have a short break if I need one?"

• "I'm not sure I understand. Can you explain that another way?"

If you are worried about asking questions yourself, your parent or carer can help you speak up.

For older kids and teens, appointments can also be a chance to start asking some questions independently, if that feels comfortable. You can build confidence gradually, at your own pace.

🏥 When you're worried about what the doctor might say

Sometimes, the scariest part of an appointment isn't a test. It's waiting to find out how your IBD is going.

You might worry that your results will be bad, your symptoms will get worse, or your medication will change.

Waiting for answers can be difficult because you don't always know what will happen next.

When you notice yourself imagining the worst, try reminding yourself that worrying about a result doesn't mean the result will be bad.

Your healthcare team uses appointments and tests to understand how your body is doing and decide what support you might need.

If your treatment needs to change, your doctor should explain why and talk with you and your parent or carer about the next steps.

You don't have to understand everything immediately. It is okay to ask questions, take time to process information and come back with more questions later.

If waiting for results makes you especially anxious, ask your healthcare team when you can expect to hear back and who you should contact if you haven't heard anything.

Having a plan can help make the waiting feel less uncertain.

🧸 What if I feel embarrassed talking about my symptoms?

Talking about bowel movements, diarrhoea, blood in your poo, accidents or other personal symptoms can feel awkward.

You might worry that the doctor will think something is gross or that your parent will hear something you don't want to share.

But your healthcare team discusses these things because they are important for understanding your IBD and helping you feel better.

You don't have to describe everything perfectly. Just try to explain what you've noticed as honestly as you can.

If you feel embarrassed, you could:

• Write down your symptoms before the appointment.

• Ask your parent or carer to help explain something.

• Ask to speak to your doctor or nurse privately for part of the appointment, if appropriate.

• Tell your healthcare team that you feel awkward talking about a particular subject.

Doctors and nurses are used to discussing these topics. Their job is to help you, not to judge you.

🎒 Making an appointment feel easier

Having a few familiar things with you can make a hospital visit feel less overwhelming.

Before you leave home, you could pack:

• Headphones and your favourite playlist.

• A book, game or activity to keep you occupied.

• A drink or snack, if you are allowed to eat and drink before your appointment or tests.

• A list of questions you want to ask.

• Something comfortable to wear.

• Any paperwork or information your healthcare team has asked you to bring.

You might also like to plan something enjoyable for afterwards, such as watching a favourite film, spending time with someone you love or doing a relaxing activity.

It doesn't have to be a big reward. Having something nice to look forward to can help you get through a difficult day.

💚 What if my anxiety doesn't go away?

Sometimes, medical anxiety can be so strong that it affects your sleep, causes panic, makes you feel sick or leaves you worrying for days before an appointment.

If this happens, you deserve extra support.

Talk to your parent or carer, IBD nurse or doctor about how anxious you feel. They may be able to help you make appointments more comfortable or connect you with someone who can help you manage your anxiety.

A psychologist can teach you strategies for handling medical fears, and some hospitals have child life therapists or other professionals who help children and teens prepare for procedures.

You don't have to wait until your anxiety becomes overwhelming before asking for help.

If a particular procedure frightens you, let your healthcare team know ahead of time rather than waiting until you're already in the room. That gives them more opportunity to discuss ways to support you.

⭐ Remember this

It's okay to feel scared about hospital appointments. You can be nervous and still get through something difficult, and you don't have to do it without support.

Ask questions, tell your healthcare team how you feel, and use the things that help you feel calmer. Every appointment is also an opportunity to practise speaking up for yourself and learning what works for you.

You might not feel confident every time, and that's okay. Being brave doesn't mean never feeling scared. Sometimes, it simply means taking the next step while someone helps you along the way.

You deserve to feel safe, listened to and supported throughout your IBD care. 💚