You're Not Broken: Your Brain is Trying to Help.

Let’s just say it: going to the doctor is not exactly anyone’s idea of fun. First, you have to make a phone call (yes, a phone call. Who even does that anymore?), then sit on hold, schedule an appointment at a time that somehow always disrupts your life, take time off work or find someone to watch the kids, drive across town, show up early, and then wait. In a tiny, windowless room. With outdated magazines and fluorescent lighting.

And that’s before the hard part.

Then you have to tell a complete stranger all your problems in ten minutes or less; often while they’re typing the entire time and barely making eye contact. You might get a rushed explanation of what might be wrong and a prescription for something that might help, all followed by a surprise bill even though you have insurance that you barely understand but pay a small fortune for.

No wonder so many people avoid going to the doctor. Honestly, who wouldn’t? Most of us only go because we feel like we don’t have any other option. But when your symptoms are disrupting your life, you need care. And right now, that care can be hard to get anywhere else.

The Emotional Toll Is Real

On top of the logistics, there’s the emotional spiral:

• What if they dismiss me?
• What if they find something serious?
• What if they tell me it’s my fault: my weight, my diet, my stress?
• What if they don’t find anything, and I leave with no answers?

As someone who’s experienced this from both sides, as a physician and as a patient with multiple chronic illnesses, I can tell you: this is a big deal. And it’s not just in your head.

The Neuroscience of Appointment Anxiety

Your brain is wired to protect you. When you’ve had negative or dismissive experiences with the medical system, your amygdala, the brain’s threat detector, takes notes.

It starts to interpret any future appointment as a potential threat. And once that wiring is in place, your nervous system goes into overdrive at the idea of seeking care.

This is known as amygdala hyperactivity. Even neutral medical settings: a waiting room, a doctor’s tone, the smell of antiseptic, can become triggers. It’s not weakness. It’s biology.

Understanding this helped me stop judging myself for being scared. It also helped me get curious about how to make care feel safer again for my patients.

What Helped Me Show Up Again

Here are a few practical things that helped me stop avoiding care and start reclaiming it:

1. Bring your records.

Carrying my own labs or notes helps shift the dynamic from “prove yourself” to “let’s look at this together.” If you need a place to start, I made a free medical history template at drgoodwinmd.com.

2. Bring a buddy.

Even if they just sit quietly, having someone who makes you feel safe can ease the intensity.

3. Use grounding tools.

Deep breaths before the appointment. Remind yourself: you are worthy of care. Even if it’s hard.

4. Reframe the experience.

Instead of “What if this goes badly?” try “What if this is the start of feeling better?”

5. Celebrate the effort.

Showed up even though you were scared? That’s huge. Give yourself credit.

The Most Important Piece: Trust

The biggest shift for me, and the one that made everything else easier, was finding a provider I could trust. Someone who didn’t just treat my labs, but actually listened to my words. Someone who said, “I believe you.”

That kind of care is out there. It may take time to find. But once you do, it changes everything.

And that’s also why I believe education matters. Yes, there’s a lot of bad information online. No, not every TikToker has a medical degree. But people need somewhere to go when they get a confusing diagnosis or strange symptom.

That’s why I started my YouTube channel and this blog. To offer clear, honest, science-based information you can trust: from a doctor who gets it.

What I Tell My Patients

When I see anxious patients in my office, I don’t rush. I slow down. I make space. And I often say:

• “You’re not overreacting. You’re overwhelmed.”
• “We’ll figure this out together.”
• “You don’t have to explain everything perfectly.”
• "I'm so proud of you for coming in today."
• "Thank you so much for sharing this with me."

If no doctor has ever said that to you, let me say it now:

You deserve care that feels safe.

One Small Step

If you’ve been putting off care, start small:

• Book one appointment.
• Bring a friend.
• Print your history.
• Breathe.

Even if your voice shakes, it still counts.

You’re not broken. You’re brave.

And if you want help getting started, download the free tracker I made for you at drgoodwinmd.com. It’s a simple step toward clarity and toward care that finally feels like care.

Because health care should meet you with compassion, not confusion. With safety, not shame.