Why won't I go to the doctor?

Asked by: Maud Bahringer III  |  Last update: March 30, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (34 votes)

People may resist going to the doctor out of fear. Some people have specific fears associated with doctor's offices, hospitals, or medical procedures, such as needles. Other people just find the experience of generally anxiety-provoking.

Why do I refuse to go to the doctor?

A prior study reported the top five of these uncoded responses (i.e., preference for self-care or alternative care, dislike or distrust doctors, fear or dislike of medical treatments, time, and money) and predictors of these responses.

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.

How do you get a stubborn person to go to the doctor?

Here are five smart ways to go about it:
  1. Be transparent and direct. ...
  2. Convince them that it's their idea. ...
  3. Make it a "double-checkup" ...
  4. Make the rest of the day as enjoyable as possible. ...
  5. Get someone who is an authority figure to help.

Why is it so hard to get into a doctor now?

Limited Spots: There are a finite number of medical schools and residency programs. Even though the demand for doctors is high, the number of students that can be trained is limited by available resources, faculty, and clinical training sites.

Nothing but the truth: Why don't men go to the doctor?

37 related questions found

How long does the average person wait to see the doctor?

An earlier survey, AMN Healthcare's 2022 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times and Medicare and Medicaid Acceptance Rates, showed that the average wait time for new-patient, non-emergent appointments across five specialties was 26 days, up 8% from the last time the survey was conducted in 2017 and up 24% from when ...

What is the most difficult doctor to be?

What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.

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 the psychology of a stubborn person?

Understanding stubbornness and its causes

They might fear stepping out of their comfort zone, or feel uncomfortable about challenging existing beliefs. Others may be stubborn because they crave control, leading them to be resistant to the perspectives of others in an effort to help themselves feel safer.

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 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.

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.

Why is it so hard to see your doctor?

In the current health care system, the average primary care physician has 2,000+ patients in their practice. As a result, they simply don't have enough time to spend with each patient.

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.

Can you be forced to see a doctor?

If a person is suffering from a mental illness that causes them to lack the ability to consent to medical treatments, the court system and law enforcement can make health care decisions and force them to be treated by medical professionals.

Is stubbornness a trauma response?

Coworkers might describe this person as stubborn, hardheaded, or indignant. During disagreements, they may struggle to listen to what has been said or raise their voice. All of these so-called personality traits may actually be trauma responses.

Is stubbornness a trait of narcissism?

People with a narcissistic personality see the world as an extension of themselves, and because of that, they regard the needs of others as less important. Narcissists, it has been noted, tend to be stubborn and envious and behave in ways that suggest they feel entitled to whatever they desire.

What disorder is stubbornness?

Being a bit stubborn every now and then — refusing dinner or arguing about homework, for example — is typical childhood behavior. But for some children, that occasional stubbornness crosses the line into a behavioral issue known as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

How to spot a bad doctor?

7 Signs of a Bad Doctor
  1. 1 – Poor Communication Skills. ...
  2. 2 – Lack of Empathy. ...
  3. 3 – Rushed Appointments. ...
  4. 4 – Inadequate Knowledge or Outdated Practices. ...
  5. 5 – Disregard for Patient Privacy and Confidentiality. ...
  6. 6 – Frequent Misdiagnosis or Treatment Failures. ...
  7. 7 – Unprofessional Behavior.

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 the hardest surgery to recover from?

5 of the Most Difficult Orthopedic Surgeries to Recover From
  1. Spinal Fusion Surgery. Spinal fusion is a procedure where two vertebrae are fused to prevent the movement that is causing pain. ...
  2. Complex Spinal Reconstruction. ...
  3. Knee Replacement. ...
  4. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgery. ...
  5. Shoulder Replacement.

What is the easiest doctor to be?

Easiest Doctor to Become: Family Doctor

The simple answer is that it takes the least amount of time. After your four years at medical school, (or a 3-year medical school) you can do a three-year family medicine residency, pass your board exams, and that's it, you're a doctor!

What is the most overworked doctor?

Top 10 highest Burnout Medical Specialties
  • Emergency Medicine‍ Emergency medicine is the primary physician specialty with highest burnout. ...
  • Internal Medicine‍ ...
  • Family Medicine‍ ...
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology‍ ...
  • Pediatrics‍ ...
  • Hospital Medicine‍ ...
  • Neurology‍ ...
  • Critical Care‍