Gymnophobia - fear of being naked. Does anyone understand????!!!!

[panicQ]

I know this sounds really pathetic but I have an ECG on Friday and I am terrified of being naked on my top half. I know the nurse will be professional and I know they have seen it all before and I know it is totally irrational but I am panicking. This is a massive fear which I have had for a long time. It rears its ugly head at medical appointments where I have to remove my clothes.
Does anyone else have this too? How do you cope?
This is a genuine phobia so please don't put me down.

Hoping all goes well with ecg .
Firstly you need to speak to your dr and get help for thìs. Ok it will not do much good for Friday. Could you phone and explain to the hospital department and perhaps they will be able to partially cover you . I know what is involved so think you need to talk to a nurse and let them be aware and see what can be done to make things as comfortable as possible for you. Getting stressed out will not help your health either.

It is at the GP surgery. I have written a note to the nurse which had me shaking just writing it! I can't decide whether to hand it in or not. More fuss will make it harder to try to be calm enough for the ECG reading to be normal!
I wondered about handing it to her when I arrived. At least then it would explain why I am not speaking to her!

There is no need to be naked from the waist up for this. I just had to pull up my top with bra still on for last one. The one before I wore a vest top that could be adjusted to get stickers on without bother.

The NHS guidelines say bras need to be removed for accurate readings. I did phone the surgery to ask and they said that I would definitely need to remove my bra and top.

I don't think anyone enjoys being naked in front of HCPs. Most find it stressful. The best therapy for phobias is exposure: facing the fear. If you avoid it, it gets worse over time.

If they are saying you have to take your bra off then you will have to do so, but there no reason whatsoever why you have to take your top off. Just lift it up. I cannot think of any reason why they would object to this, and it would make you feel slightly more secure if you wear a long-sleeved top.

Wear a loose vest top and leave it on when you take your bra off. It'll be perfectly possible for them to attach the pads with you wearing that. Also, tell them that you'd prefer to keep the vest top on. They can't and won't force you to remove it, and if they know you are nervous and self conscious they will work round that when possible.

Practice meditation. Find a picture you find soothing. Stare at it, notice every detail, imagine your senses as if you were in the picture. Practice this at home, somewhere you feel safe. Use this when you go.
I have panic attacks occasionally, this is what I do.

Yeah you definitely don't need to be naked, I've done plenty! If someone is wearing a vest or pyjamas I don't bother asking them to remove it, I just work around it. It means I have to shove my hand down there but if you don't mind, I don't either!

Bras do get in the way though, no question.

Thanks. I have a video of the sea which I use to try to relax. I will watch it and try to remember it.
Not sure whether to explain or not

Do explain - it might affect the reading. You don't want them to think your heart is racing for any other reason.

And yes, wear a vest.

Wear a crop top instead? It's only the underwires that cause problems.

I haven't had an ECG but I can understand why they feel that bras would be a hindrance.

As PP have said why not wear a vest top/crop top without any wiring or padding. I am sure they can work around that?

Hope it all goes okay.

I have always had to be naked from the waist up for ecgs (and I've had a lot within the last year) and your doctors have reiterated this.
Whenever I've had them though they tell you to take your top and bra off and then lay down on the bed and put some of that large tissue (they use to cover the bed) over you. They leave the room while you do this! They then work around the tissue, they never really see anything or move the tissue. Hope this puts you at ease it's also over in seconds!

Thanks you

Any ideas on conquering the phobia or stopping the panic between now and Friday?

All the research I have done on overcoming phobias talk about taking small steps (desensitisation). I can't think what small steps there are to take. I also have read that you should think about the worst thing that could happen. eg if you are afraid of heights you might fall. My worst thing is the thing itself, if that makes sense. The worst thing that can happen is that someone sees me naked or touches my naked body. (I can cope with my husband now)

I think you have to go a step further to work out why being naked is bad, if that makes sense?

Why would it be so bad for an HCP to see you naked for a test? It's something to explore a bit.

In the long term try doing cbt. It will teach you helpful strategies to conquer your anxiety.
Please mention it to the person doing it. Have faith in yourself that you can do this.

You really don't have to take your top off. Wear a non-metallic bra - a sports bra would do.

The nurse/HCP cannot force you to remove your clothing. Take control of the consultation. I'm a nurse and I have never removed my bra for an ECG.

I have written the HCA who is doing the test a letter and just handed it in at the doctors when I went to collect prescriptions. Now I am not sure that I have done the right thing.

Even with a t shirt or camisole on she will touch me as well as see me.

There are 3 reaction - fight, flight or freeze. I freeze so am unable to speak.

Can you phone the surgery and ask if you could speak to her today to explain, rather than waiting until tomorrow when you are already tense? If you feel unable to do that could someone do it for you - your DH?

You need to talk to your GP about this so that they can look into treatment for you.