Monday, 03 December 2012

  • Is This Normal?


    I guess I'll just get right to the point ans ask, are any other girls out there uncomfortable with getting physicals?

    It was odd the first time and I don't know if I feel comfortable going through it again. Don't get me wrong I have an amazing doctor but it's just so uncomfortable for me to be naked in front of somebody that I don't know. I actually came home crying last year because I hated it so much.

    I understand that there's nothing sexual about it and its for good reasons but I can't seem to get over this hurdle. Help?

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Comments (30)

  • LoseControlJust_Once@xanga
    I have the same problem...which is why I haven't had a physical in 4 years. I am just too uncomfortable. It might help a little if the doctor is the same sex as you so it's not as awkward, but other than that I don't really have an answer. You're not alone though!
  • isitreal_no@xanga

    Think of it this way, he/she is a doctor. You're not the first physcial they've ever done and you most likely won't be the last. They are thinking about your blood pressure, your fitness, your fat levels etc NOT your waist, or your breast size or anything remotely sexual! It's not a random person on the street checking you out, it's a doctor.

  • DrummingMediocrity@xanga

    Can you be more specific?  Like, what parts of the physical bothers you?  
  • flapper_femme_fatale@xanga

    can't say i sympathize.  my mom works in the healthcare field, and i was brought up to take doctor's visits very seriously.  
  • voodoo_flower_child@xanga

    First off, they are a doctor. They don't care about the fact that you are naked, they are just doing their job. And you are probably literally the 500th person that they have seen naked, so there is no reason to get so worked up about it. I am a CNA and I can't even count the number of naked people I have bathed, changed their underwear/catheter, dressed, etc. It is no big deal to a medical professional, so there is no need to get traumatized over it. Would you rather have a physical and find out about an important health problem early enough before its a problem, or keep your clothes on and miss something important?
  • Spookyandbatty@xanga

    @isitreal_no@xanga@voodoo_flower_child@xanga - read the last sentence.
  • Spookyandbatty@xanga

    @DrummingMediocrity@xanga - Its just the nakedness. It took me a long time to even buck up the courage to get nude in front of my boyfriend (of two years now). 
  • isitreal_no@xanga

    @Spookyandbatty@xanga - My apologies for trying to help.  I just thought pointing out that you're not the first and you won't be the last might something good for you to keep in mind and maybe tell yourself to not feel so bad about being naked. I have exactly the same issue as you with nakedness. I almost cried after getting my skin checked but realised that I'd rather not die from a disease than let someone see me naked.


    But if you don't want to take anything I said into consideration feel free to continue to not go, hope you don't get sick in that time,

  • Spookyandbatty@xanga

    @isitreal_no@xanga - 0__o wow I was pointing it out because you went on about it not being sexual and i already stated that I know its not. No need to get bitchy at me.
  • voodoo_flower_child@xanga

    @Spookyandbatty@xanga - even if it isn't sexual and you cried and all that, would you rather go un-diagnosed with something serious, or just get over it and know that you are healthy without worry? 
  • chronic_masticator@xanga

    You sound very young.  It's normal to be nervous about it the first few times.  Hell, I'm nearing 30 and I still don't like it.  But it's something you're just going to have to get the fuck over and do anyway.
  • Syaoransbear@xanga

    I never had to stand there completely naked for my physical. I had one of those paper robe things with the open backs and I was never fully exposed at any time. She mostly worked underneath the robe, and the only parts of me that were exposed were parts she was working on, like checking my breasts for lumps.
  • articulate_silence@xanga

    Do they give you a gown to wear? That helped me get used to the feeling when I had to get undressed for the doctor. I usually just remind myself that they aren't paying much attention to my nudity, and are just thinking of how to try and help me, so it becomes less bothersome for me. Its best to think of it in a very straight-forward way, and remember its all for health!
  • LadyGwenivere@xanga

    Ignore those commenting that "He is a professional" and all that bunk. Its NOT comforting and it doesn't help....  i can empathize with you... I have never had a complete physical because any time i think of a dr touching me I get sick... We have a wonderful Dr.. but as of right now I do not plan on getting a full physical done..
    When you feel that you are ready to try it again, maybe take someone you trust and feel safe with with you. Or ask your Dr if you can break it down into a couple of appointments so its not so overwhelmingly intimidating.

  • alterEGGO@xanga

    is that normal, that shouldn't be the question. You are asking if others feel similar and yes we all don't want to get nekid in front of anyone. But the benefits outweigh the bad. 


    I have a few friends that are still around because of the exams that they have had. This is an important part of life. Maybe you can find someone to go with that you wouldn't mind them seeing you in a paper "robe". Like maybe your mother. It is important for people to set their normal with a Dr. So that the Dr. can see, feel and hear when something is out of place and can catch problems before they get to far.
    It sounds like you are anxious and this causes problems, so talk to someone that is qualified to help you through these feelings, take your mom or a good friend with you and tell your Dr you are uncomfortable and everyone can help you feel better about doing this unnecessary appointment.
  • ninetailedevee@xanga

    You have body issues, might want to see a therapist.
  • Tall_Curlz@xanga

    there is nothing wrong... u're just uncomfortable... I've never had to get completely naked though... but then again I don't go for physicals... but not for the same reason...

    I did want to say though... a few years ago I found a lump on my breast... decent sized... I cried for hours knowing what I was going to have to go through... Anyway 4 years later I've gone through it twice... I was not comfortable AT ALL knowing SO many people had to see AND touch my breasts to make sure everything was ok... I feel your pain not liking it at all... kinda just put myself through it just to get it over with... 

    Drs are probably used to people feeling uncomfortable about it too... maybe you can tell your dr before hand??? They will likely make it less awkward for you...
  • Blue_Moon1@xanga

    @isitreal_no@xanga - sounds really nice if it were true, but it's not. They are human , no matter who likes it or not. I have worked in surgery as a Surgical Technician Passing instruments for dr's and even helping with the surgery, and sometimes sewing patients up. Anyone else who has worked doing the same could vouch for the accuracy of my statement. It has gone as far as me having to clean "wally was here"  off a private area of a female patient, written in surgical marker. I wonder what her husband would have thought had I not cleaned it off? The Dr. didn't.  Wake up hun it's not the perfect little world you want to imagine it to be.  She has every right and reason to trust her instincts. In a world where Dr.s and Dentists have been proven to committ all kind of shameful acts on their patients in courts of law. Maybe you need to wake up.... or maybe you need to stop covering up for people who are NOT  perfect.
  • Blue_Moon1@xanga

    With that said, likely there is nothing going wrong.  There should be no shame in you being modest about your body, it is no shame for you to feel that way, and it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you. Find a Dr you're more comfortable with, and trust your instincts. You'll be fine.
  • isitreal_no@xanga

    @Blue_Moon1@xanga - I was just trying to make her feel better about going. I have friends who are nurses and doctors I'm well aware of what it's really like. I read the news, watch it on TV, doctors do all kinds of bad things but in the end we need to go to them so if I want to make myself feel better about it and try to help someone else I will. I just know that you have harden up and do things even if you don't want to do them. I don't need to wake up and stop covering up for anyone. But you're welcome to your opinion. You can not go to the doctor if you like because you think they're horrible people,  I do not care.

  • monkeytreehugger@xanga

    I don't recall ever getting completely naked.  That would be pretty awkward.  Don't they give you a gown?  Good doctors will "drape" you so that minimal skin is exposed at once.

     I'd suggest switching doctors/hospitals if it makes you that uncomfortable.  There are plenty of excellent doctors out there.
  • anonymous

    It's natural to do physicals with someone when it's first time.But why u think with that point to be naked someone. First u know that guy for few days,you spent sometimes with him.Then you see that's not a matter of feeling nervous.

    </p >

  • Lost__In_My_Mind@xanga

    I know exactly how you feel! I'm about to go for my first internal & just the thought of that makes me want to sob uncontrollably.. I almost think it's a control thing. Like, no matter how you look at it, you have to get naked & let the doctor do what they want because they're a doctor.. But I really don't know why.
  • Saridactyl@xanga

    I don't like it, but I'm much more afraid of cancer than I am seeking preventive care.

  • greatredwoman@xanga

    A female doctor may help you be more comfortable.. But, no, I don't like getting naked in front of a stranger, either. 

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