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TSR Wiki > Life > Health and Relationships > General Health > I Don't Like Going/Am Scared of to the Doctors

I've noticed on my humble travels that a lot of you really do put off seeing your doctor. I don't know whether this is because you just can't be bothered, or that you really just don't like them.

Reasons You Might Not Go

I know some GPs can be total poo-heads. But it's really no reason to just avoid going altogether. You can have your GP changed and all it takes is a phone-call to the surgery to book an appointment with a one that you haven't tried before and might like. And if none of them are doing it for you then try to get some initiative and register with a new surgery. It's really not as hard as people make out. Sure, it's a bit of hassle, but isn't a little form filling worth it to know that you've got a doctor who'll listen to you and help you when you're ill?

Some people have to wait weeks for even a GP appointment, and some of us are dead lucky that we have this service free of charge and at our disposal, which is why I can't fathom why some of you just live with the idea that you might be depressed/ill/have a broken bone because it's too much effort to go to a GP.

Hell, your parents, and maybe even you pay for the service, so you might as well get it while the getting's good.

You may think I'm spouting this crap for no reason, but I actually do know how it feels to not feel comfortable around your GP. Mind you, from your stories, some of you had it a LOT WORSE than me.

For one, mine was someone who knew my family. I didn't like that - too close to home. I also felt that whenever I went he was laughing at me. I don't know about you, but I like to look stuff up before I go to the GP mainly so I can understand stuff, and try to give him the best possible descriptions of how I'm feeling to make it a bit easier for him. I felt like he never took me seriously.

I also feel that when he made a jibe about me being promiscuous [WTF? I have ONE boyfriend?] that that was the last straw. So I stopped seeing him, and opted for a new doctor at the practice from then on.

And I love him. He's everything you want in a GP - he's understanding, he listens and he asks me what I want and what meds I'm comfortable with taking. He gets second opinions if he's not sure and for that I feel totally at ease talking about *the* most disgusting things [which always happen to me >.<].

What I'm Trying to Say Is...

I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't let one doctor with bad people skills put you off getting treatment or counseling that you have a right to. I know you shouldn't have to put up with doctors that you feel aren't right for you, but everyone has their favourite *types* of people, and maybe you just don't gel. Get another one, get the help you need, and don't sit and stew when there are people there that can help you.

More Information

Oh, and I know there are some confidentiality issues that keep popping up. Reading these may put your minds at rest.

• Our Discussion Thread on trouble seeing a doctor
• BBC thing on doctor/patient confidentiality
• Tips for teenagers

-You won't get what you want if you don't ask, so stand up for yourself, and make sure you get out what you need to get out.