Do any of your kids have a phobia about going to the doctor's office? Jason does, and today was pretty awful.
The waiting room, for starters, was quite busy and full, and of course, the lighting is quite bright...two bad things for him, straight out of the gate. But of course, as soon as we get in the exam room, he starts freaking out. I brought along my MP3 player for him, hoping that listening to some of his favorite songs would settle him down, but it didn't work for long. He was screaming and crying and trying to get out of the room, which of course, I couldn't allow, as he'd be gone in a flash.
As soon as we were finished, he bolted out the door and was down the hall, into the waiting room, and waiting by the entrance by the time I caught up. Thankfully, our doctor tailed him and kept him contained until I got there. He bolts at the slightest opportunity as it is, but this is really awful.
He doesn't dislike the doctor...he dislikes the office itself! I don't know what to do, as I've tried a lot of things, but taking him there almost always ends in tears for him and nearly so for me. When I can, I get a sitter so that he doesn't have to go along when he isn't the one seeing the doctor, but of course, that's hardly ever possible.
Any thoughts, folks?
Hi Evie, Billy hates going to the dr. He hates it because he is tactile defensive. He has ALWAYS been this way. He will not let a dr. near him at all. I dread when he gets sick. It is awful and I do not know what to do about it either. I am sorry I cannot be of help to you...I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.Today, though, it was a short-notice appointment for Nicky to have his cast replaced (he managed to get it off, can you believe it? LOL), hence no sitter, and I got the first appointment I could that was before his recess time, so he wouldn't do more damage to his arm, I hoped.
Poor Jase was stuck going along for the ride.
Thanks, ladies!
Jessie HATES the dr office too! I have her 3 yr apt on tuesday.....oh lord. I though originally she freaked because she remembered getting shots there and was scared, but she has a little tactile defensiveness going on too. Come to think of it.....the office is really not cozy either. It's brand new and it doesn't have any carpeting, just cold black & white tile floors. They painted a few Mickey Mouse caracters around, but even as a kid I wouldn't be impressed!
Great advice to bring some other distractions for her....
lol sharon thats funny
Hayden hates the doctors too. He cant stand the doctor to touch him. Hes always been like that but lately I think all the tests hes had to endear and not to mention needle shots has made him more anxious and fearful.
Christian is very fearful of the doctor. I think he just hates his pediatrician because he's a man and he hates when the doctor looks in ears or even touches him. There are times when Chris has hidden under the patient bed and his poor doc has to coax him out saying he wasn't going to touch him. Once we are in the car and headed in the general direction of the doctors office, he says "oh no, not the drs again" and then I tell him a bit fat lie to soothe him until we get there. Then he tells the girls at the front desk that he's not sick and tells them I need to see the doctor because of a couple of pimples! He notices everything and says it out aloud too. His last visit though, he actually looked at his pediatrician for once but I usually bring bags or toys with me to keep him occupied. Helps a little.
Since Chris' dx, his doc has been a lot gentler with him. He likes the stickers too that the front desk give him.
Hope things get better
J hates Dr. officeS reminds her of shots. I don't like Dr. offices, that reminds me (prego Dr. office) asked me (while I was pregnet) if I had anxiety bec. I looked stressed everytime I was there lol. I scored a 0 on the anxiety tests. I've never liked Dr. offices. I'm not sure why?