Fear and Panic Before Medical Appointments (Counselling Online and in Athlone)

Many people living with illness describe the same pattern: days before an appointment, the worry begins. You might lose sleep, replay conversations in your head, or feel your body shut down in the waiting room.

Some describe a rising panic as they sit in the car park. Others say they freeze when the consultant asks if they have any questions. Still others avoid appointments altogether, hoping to push it further away.

These reactions make sense — your nervous system is trying to protect you from more pain.

Why your body reacts this way

Appointments can stir memories of past dismissals, difficult procedures, or the uncertainty of waiting for results. It’s natural that your body associates the clinic or hospital with fear. This is not irrational. It’s your nervous system remembering.

Offering compassion instead of criticism

When you notice the self-talk of “why can’t I handle this?” try shifting to:

• “This makes sense. My body is trying to protect me.”

• “I am not failing — I am responding to something overwhelming.”

When coping tools don’t work

Sometimes grounding or breathing helps. Sometimes it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, that’s not failure. It’s a reflection of how overwhelming the experience has been. Meeting yourself with compassion makes it easier to try again when you’re ready.

Closing

Fear before appointments does not mean you are weak. It means you have been through something hard.

If this feels familiar, you don’t have to face it alone. I offer counselling in Athlone for in-person sessions, and online counselling across Ireland for those who prefer to connect from home. Counselling can provide a steady presence alongside you, helping you move through appointments with less shame and more compassion.