Navigating doctor's appointments

Going to the doctor is often something we negatively anticipate. We might be filled with anxiety leading up to the appointment, struggle to stay present during, and feel drained afterward. Or we might avoid the situation altogether so as not to put ourselves in painful and shameful positions. 

This month in the Intuitive Eating for Life Community, we are discussing how to navigate healthcare interactions through the Intuitive Eating/Health At Every Size/Weight-inclusive lens. 

Taking a more self-directed approach to your healthcare so that you meet your needs, understand and respect your own boundaries, and treat yourself with compassion takes a fair amount of planning and forethought. 

A good starting point is to ask yourself some questions, for example: 

1. What is my history with going to the doctor and how has that affected my relationship with my own healthcare?
2. Who are my healthcare practitioners and do I feel comfortable going to see them?
3. Am I able to put the time and energy into finding new healthcare providers who are aware of Intuitive Eating and Health At Every Size?
4. What are my healthcare goals for different areas (OB, gyn, primary care, endocrinologist, etc.)? 
5. How comfortable do I feel articulating my healthcare goals?
6. How can I clarify and practice stating my needs in a clear, assertive way?
7. What are my methods of regulating my nervous system when I'm in stressful situations?
8. How could I support myself before, during, and after healthcare appointments? 

Doing this kind of inquiry can help you start to feel engaged with your own medical care in a way that is practical, internally driven, and perfect for experimenting with. 

Each week in September, look for a new installment in this discussion and join us on September 13th from 6 to 7:30 for a deeper dive into the topic. You can do this!