Psychology says people who are scared of visiting a doctor may actually fear what happens before the appointment

For some people, visiting a doctor is routine. For others, simply making the appointment can trigger a wave of uneasiness. They postpone calling, repeatedly convince themselves that a symptom will disappear, feel their heart racing in the waiting room or become unusually nervous when the doctor walks in. Psychology suggests this reaction can involve far more than being “afraid of doctors.” Anticipatory anxiety, classical conditioning, avoidance learning, uncertainty and fear of threatening information can all contribute. Research on medical-care avoidance shows that some people stay away precisely because they fear discovering a serious illness. Ironically, avoiding the appointment can provide immediate emotional relief, potentially making avoidance easier to repeat the next time.

Psychology Says the Fear Can Begin Before You Even Meet the Doctor