Medical & dental
Doctor visits, shots, procedures
The doctor's office meltdown. The dentist appointment you've rescheduled three times. Medical fears are some of the most intense because kids have so little control - and their imagination fills in the worst possible outcomes.
What to Know
Medical fears are some of the most intense childhood anxieties because kids have so little control. They're asked to sit still while strangers do uncomfortable things to their body, often without fully understanding why. Their imagination fills in the worst possible version of what might happen.
For many kids, past experiences compound the fear. One painful shot or scary procedure can create anticipatory anxiety that lasts for years. They're not being dramatic — their brain has tagged medical settings as dangerous and is trying to protect them.
Preparation helps, but there's a balance. Too little information leaves kids blindsided. Too much detail gives anxiety more material to work with. The goal is honest, simple, age-appropriate previews paired with coping strategies they can actually use in the moment.
Signs to Watch
- •Has meltdowns before or during medical appointments
- •Asks repeated questions or seeks excessive reassurance about procedures
- •Has physical symptoms (stomach ache, trouble sleeping) before appointments
- •Refuses to cooperate or becomes combative during exams
- •Avoids telling you about health concerns to avoid the doctor
- •Talks about past medical experiences as traumatic
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Activities & Worksheets
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Downloadable activities and worksheets for this topic.