A guide for parents and providers
We need to help kids of all ages mitigate their anxiety about medical appointments to invest in their long-term health. By helping our kids feel informed, confident, and in control of their healthcare, parents and providers set them up for a lifetime of better health outcomes.
Symptoms of anxiety in children
Worry and fear are common among young children. In fact, it is developmentally appropriate for older infants to be wary of strangers as they learn to differentiate between their familiar caregivers and other adults they meet.
Kids often use behaviour, rather than words, to communicate the emotions they feel. When your child feels afraid, helpless, or anxious, they may demonstrate aggression, withdrawal, lack of cooperation, and regression, such as bedwetting and thumb-sucking. Anxiety may also manifest in physical symptoms, like fatigue, headache, or stomachache.
Take these signs of anxiety as a cue to have an open conversation about your child’s feelings before going to the doctor.
Prepare at home
Manage your child’s expectations about how the visit will go.
- Using age-appropriate language, explain what will happen at the doctor’s office. For older children, specify whether the visit will include physical exams, blood work, or vaccinations to alleviate fear of the unknown.
- Role-play with toy medical equipment so your young child becomes familiar with the appearance and function of a stethoscope, for instance.
- Watch kid-friendly videos about different types of doctor visits, for example, family doctor, dentist, and eye doctor.
- Have your child choose which activity they’d like to bring into the waiting room, and a comfort item they’d like with them during the visit.
- Encourage your child to think about what they’d like to learn about their body and what questions they’d like to ask their doctor.
- Tell your teen that you can step out of the room if they’d like to speak with their doctor privately.
Your child’s healthcare team
Having a caring, understanding practitioner who is confident working with children can make your child’s medical experience a positive one. Look for a clinic with friendly front-end staff and an inviting physical environment, both of which can help your child feel at ease.
You may also consider filling the gaps in your child’s healthcare by seeking the services of allied health professionals, such as a naturopathic doctor, chiropractor, or osteopath. Having a discovery session with a provider before diving into an initial appointment is a nice way to ‘catch a vibe’ and see if you would be comfortable working together.
By Cassie Irwin, ND