It’s fair to say that going to the doctor’s is never much fun – whether it’s attending a routine cervical screening or seeking help for a rash/pain/annoyance that simply won’t go away. But for some of us, visiting the GP triggers debilitating stress and high anxiety levels, which can feel terrifying – and as we get older we often face a higher risk of health complications which can further exacerbate any worries.
Research by health test provider Medichecks found that during the first lockdown, out of 2,000 people polled, one in five had a health condition that they would ordinarily have sought treatment for, but did not. For those who already had a phobia of doctors, the pandemic reinforced their conditioned response to steer clear, and worsened the anxiety of getting worries checked out. The research also highlighted that 30% of people were less
