Is it normal to not want to go to the doctor?
Asked by: Nicole Beatty | Last update: January 18, 2026Score: 5/5 (51 votes)
Is it normal to not go to the doctor?
If you're young and healthy, it can be. Between age 20 and 40, some folks don't see a doctor at all. Women's health visits are necessary for many, and of course there are also folks in this age range with illnesses who need to see a doc regularly.
Why do I refuse to go to the doctor?
This qualitative study identified factors such as low trust in doctors, low perceived severity of symptoms, emotional factors (e.g., denial, avoiding worry, embarrassment), practical barriers, and prior negative experiences as contributing to avoidance.
What is it called when you don't like going to the doctor?
Iatrophobia causes you to fear doctors or medical tests. You may avoid seeking medical care even when you're very sick because you have extreme anxiety or panic attacks.
Why don't I like going to the doctor?
For instance, you might anticipate that your doctor will criticize you for your weight, for smoking, or for another habit. Or you could be scared of needles, blood work, or some other medical test. You might dread hearing a certain diagnosis—or you might know your diagnosis but worry about the treatment plan.
Why Men Don't Want to Go to the Doctor
What percent of Americans don't go to the doctor?
Nearly 40% of Americans skipped medical care in 2022 because of cost concerns, poll finds. A growing number of Americans are delaying important medical care because of the high cost of treatment, a new survey shows.
Why do I dread going to the doctor?
There can be many reasons a person has a fear of doctors. It could be fear of certain medical procedures, the pain of certain procedures, an anticipated diagnosis, fear that developed due to a bad experience with a certain doctor or during a prior visit to a doctor.
Do some people never go to the doctor?
According to the NIH and other sources, 30 percent to 40 percent of people report avoiding medical care even when they think they should go to a doctor.
What do doctors call difficult patients?
The term difficult patient refers to a subgroup of patients that provoke unpleasant emotions—feelings of frustration, anger, helplessness, inadequacy, or irritation—in the doctors caring for them. These patients are described in the records of the earliest physicians.
What is coat syndrome?
White coat syndrome, or white coat hypertension, is the term for when you get a high blood pressure reading in a doctor's office and a normal reading at home. The anxiety of being around doctors in white coats can make your blood pressure rise.
How long can you go without seeing a doctor?
In general, you should see a primary care doctor at least once a year for a general checkup and blood work. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, require more frequent checkups.
Are you allowed to say no to a doctor?
Your doctor can't tell you which treatment you should want or even whether you should want any treatment at all. Those choices depend on you and your own personal values. Once informed of your medical options, you can then exercise your right to accept or refuse the test or treatment.
How often does the average American go to the doctor?
How Often Americans See a Doctor. The average American visits his or her doctor four times per year.
What are the risks of not going to the doctor?
One of the biggest dangers of putting off doctor visits is that small problems can become big ones. By the time you finally go to see a doctor, the problem may have progressed beyond what's treatable with medication or surgery. In some cases, it may even be too late to save the patient's life.
Is it rude to not say doctor?
If, when meeting people with doctorates, you're unsure how to address them, "Dr." is always correct. If they'd rather the title be dropped, they will let you know. It's more common for women to use the title "Doctor" socially as well as professionally than in the past.
What doctor is the hardest?
Neurosurgery. Among the most demanding medical specialties, neurosurgery requires expertise in the intricate realms of the brain, spine, spinal cord, and nervous system.
What are the signs of a difficult patient?
Verbally, these patients may be belittling, demanding or accusatory. They may feel angry due to internal factors, such as mental illness, depression or pain, or external factors, such as not receiving as much analgesic or as many services as they believe they are entitled to.
What is it called when a doctor refuses to see a patient?
Patient abandonment is a type of medical malpractice. It comes into play when a physician prematurely abandons a doctor-patient relationship with no notice and/or without a reasonable excuse. There's a fine line, and understanding what constitutes this potentially-devastating act of abandonment is important.
Why would someone not want to be a doctor?
You'll have inconsistent hours, you may be on call, and you could be scheduled to work up to 30 hours in a row. It's no joke—medical school and residency will be some of the most difficult years of your life. The long days and emotional toll of being a doctor will continue into your career.
Why is it so hard to get a doctor's appointment now?
The U.S. is facing a physician shortage, in primary care and many specialties, which can lead to longer wait times for patients and reduced access to care. Learn more about this current physician shortage and how the AMA is helping to address it.
Who is more likely to go to the doctor?
The CDC reports that women are 33 percent more likely to visit the doctor than men, and women are 100 percent better at maintaining screening and preventive care.
What is tomophobia?
Tomophobia is an irrational fear of surgery. Mental health professionals diagnose it as a specific phobia, which is a type of anxiety that has a specific trigger. Tomophobia can lead to excessive distress before surgical procedures and might cause people to avoid treatment altogether.
Why do I avoid going to the doctor?
Anxiety and fear are common culprits; some people intensely fear things like potential bad news, medical instruments and procedures, or even doctors themselves. Embarrassment is another oft-cited reason for avoidance, especially when health issues involve stigmatized conditions or intimate body parts.
What is fear of going to the doctor called?
Iatrophobia is an extreme fear of doctors, medical care, or the medical care system. Some anxiety before a doctor's appointment is natural. However, generally, this does not stop a person from keeping an appointment. Individuals with iatrophobia may delay or avoid vaccinations, check-ups, and other routine care.