The big bad doctor

[Shattered]

My 2 yr old is now terrified of the doctor (any doctor) since he was sick a few months ago, and the doctor had to hold him down to examine him. He became quite distressed and so needless to say, the last couple of visits to the doctor have been a nightmare. He works himself up into such a state, screams and starts sweating and won't let the doctor anywhere near him - you would think someone was trying to murder him. I've tried telling him there's nothing to be scared of, I've also taken along chocolates/chips (to no avail) and even the doctor offering him toys & jellybeans has made no difference. Does anyone have any suggestions and can you tell me if any of your little ones act the same way? I was thinking of taking him for his first visit to the dentist, but I'm not even going to contemplate that now - he'd be terrified of that as well.

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Maybe you can try a women doctor. They sometimes come across as someone more gentle and soft spoken especially to a child. I'm not saying your doctor or any male doctor isnt gentle, your son may just sense it that way if seen by the opposite sex.

Sorry Shattered, I just read your post again and realized you didnt mention male or women as your childs doctor.

Would it be possible for your doctor to do a home visit? I know that they are very busy, but they might given how distressed your ds gets.

I'm afraid it's any doctor, robinw, it's not just the one man. He's seen a few different doctors now and they all get the same reaction from him.

Threeangels I suppose I could give that a try - he hasn't seen a female doctor for a while and it just might be a bit less frightening for him. I just think it is the association with the actual surgery/instruments etc that scare him, but next time I'll try a woman & see if that helps. Thanks.

Shattered, ds had a minor problem like this when he was about your son's age and he did outgrow it. I know it sounds a bit daft, but have you thought of getting a little doctor's kit (they have one in Woolies for £5) and letting him be the doctor on you? We also explained incessantly how the doctor wants to make you better and is kind etc, and got a couple of themed story books (this is a common problem in toddlers, I suspect) from the library. I think you were unlucky in getting a doctor who was not prepared to give your ds time to settle in the surgery: "holding down" an unhappy little boy because he had been sick sounds a bit heavy-handed. Some GPs will let a child have a spatula or something to fiddle with, and some definitely have a knack. Try ringing your health visitor to see if she/he recommends a specific practitioner at your surgery - they may even be willing to admit that you might want to change practice to get someone sensitive to little people's fears.
Ds is now fine - as proved to a trip to casualty last weekend to remove a bean that he had thoughtfully popped up his nostril. He was a bit fed up about the actual procedure (serves the little dear right) but full of interest and chat with the staff.

Thanks Marina, the doctor kit sounds like it might be a good idea. I'll see if I can find one somewhere.

It hasn't been a good year for 'fears' - ds has had about 12 haircuts since he was born (with no problems) and suddenly he has a haircut phobia. One day he was fine, sat happily in my lap while they cut his hair, the next time I took him he lapsed into screams of hysteria and wouldn't let them touch him. Sigh... there are just no explanations for these things sometimes.