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.

Thank you Agatha F. I wrote a note to the HCA at the surgery who is doing the test and handed it in yesterday.
I have an amazing GP who I have a great relationship with but she is leaving in a couple of weeks and there won't be any appointments with her in that time.
I have had lots of counselling and we did touch on this but didn't go into much detail except to get me through a gynea appointment a couple of years ago.
It is too hard to go to a stranger GP and start to try to explain all this without them knowing me at all.

Last time I had one she gave me a large piece of the paper towel thing to cover myself up. It made me feel a bit less self concious. Also I undressed and dressed behind the screen so she never saw me naked.

Make sure you tell her you're really nervous about it, in case the letter gets lost. Ask if you can cover up with something.

She touched me to put the pads on but it very very brief. I removed the pads myself.

I understand that it's hard to approach a new GP with this, but you really need to be brave and do it. Take someone with you if it helps. Or write it down and hand the GP the letter. You really need to address this and I think that counselling alone won't do that, you will probably need to be involved with some other therapies alongside.

If the HCP tomorrow has read your note then I'm sure they will be empathetic and help you. Maybe you could try calming techniques whilst you are waiting and when you go in, to help keep the panic under control - visualisation or controlled breathing for instance?

Which other therapies AgathaF

Look at the breathing space app or any mindfulness app.

I really think you should look into CBT. Unfortunately there will be times in life that you need to do things you don't want too, smears, mammograms etc.

Possibly CBT or mindfulness based therapies which combine CBT with other coping strategies.

Have a read of this, for some ideas of how to control your panic in the meantime.

Just got back. They had swapped nurses and not passed the note across. Nurse was lovely though. I was shaking all the way through and afterwards. Over for now till the 24hr one!
I might try and write to me lovely GP and see if she will refer me before she goes. This is ridiculous.
On the other hand - how bad is my depression and anxiety going to get if I willingly do something which will force me to speak about this and use anatomical words that I can't speak, let alone want to show or touch or see.
Wish I knew what to do.

You done a big hurdle today, so be proud of yourself.

Definitely write to your GP and ask for a referral. Are there any nurses at your surgery that you feel confident with? They might be able to refer too.

I don't think your depression or anxiety will get worse for trying to approach the issue. If anything it will be empowering.

Well done. You did it, and you're still standing. Definitely definitely speak to your GP.

For the 24 hr holter monitor - Do I have to get undressed again or do the leads go in different places?

So, the letter has come for the 24 hour ECG. The appointment is supposed to be tomorrow but I can't see how it can fit around the children so I will have to postpone it. PHEW!
Meanwhile does anyone know how much you have to undress for the 24 ECG. I know there are fewer leads than an ordinary ECG so I am hoping that some clothes can stay on? Am I right?

I thought there would be a lovely several more months wait before they could reschedule the appointment but it is on Thursday Morning ahhhhhhhhhhh!