I faced my demon

[shakey]

I've been terrified of both the dentist and having any kind of anesthetic for over 7 years. Two weeks ago I cracked my molar and it revealed a fairly large cavity underneath - no big deal for some, but for me I was borderline hysterical. I have panic disorder and PTSD so confronting my fears felt impossible.

Im sharing this because I hope it can help someone else - the key word here is "felt". It felt impossible but it wasn't because this morning I got that cavity and tooth repaired. I'm not going to lie, it was hard sitting in that chair, and equally hard getting the injection. I was struggling with panic the whole way through (30mins, no big deal, but not pleasant). But here I am, with my clean, pain free tooth.

Now, if you feel like you can't do it, whether it's a clean/filling/RCT whatever, it's not true. You can do it. It might feel awful, sure, but you can do it. Anxiety won't kill you and you are in control.

When "IT" is telling you that you can't face it, take no notice. Take your trembling self in, sit in the chair, white knuckle it if need be, and prioritise your health above any negative self talk.

A few things that helped: squeezing a stress ball, taking my partner in to hold my hand and having a huge amount of trust and respect for my dentist.

I hope this helps someone out there some day. You CAN do it.

 

[adamjames2]

I've been terrified of both the dentist and having any kind of anesthetic for over 7 years. Two weeks ago I cracked my molar and it revealed a fairly large cavity underneath - no big deal for some, but for me I was borderline hysterical. I have panic disorder and PTSD so confronting my fears felt impossible.

Im sharing this because I hope it can help someone else - the key word here is "felt". It felt impossible but it wasn't because this morning I got that cavity and tooth repaired. I'm not going to lie, it was hard sitting in that chair, and equally hard getting the injection. I was struggling with panic the whole way through (30mins, no big deal, but not pleasant). But here I am, with my clean, pain free tooth.

Now, if you feel like you can't do it, whether it's a clean/filling/RCT whatever, it's not true. You can do it. It might feel awful, sure, but you can do it. Anxiety won't kill you and you are in control.

When "IT" is telling you that you can't face it, take no notice. Take your trembling self in, sit in the chair, white knuckle it if need be, and prioritise your health above any negative self talk.

A few things that helped: squeezing a stress ball, taking my partner in to hold my hand and having a huge amount of trust and respect for my dentist.

I hope this helps someone out there some day. You CAN do it.

Hi..my fear is the anesthetic,not the injection but the numb feeling after and a fear I will have a fatal reaction..(had lidocaine many times before with no reaction)..I have dentist on Tuesday and I need a root canal on one and an extraction...I am quite looking forward to it in a strange sense,I decided after on/off miserable toothache for weeks that I need to also face my demons...I know I will panic and probably cry a bit but I want to try so hard to make it a calm experience so I am not afraid to go back and finish the treatment..I honestly believe it is panicking that leaves a bad memory of the dentist and that reinstaes the fear further...your post was very helpful and well done you x

 

[Nervous Nancy]

Thank you, thank you! You made me feel better and LOL at "Take your trembling self in, sit in the chair, white knuckle it if need be, and prioritise your health above any negative self talk." Because that is me for sure!!!! I have severe panic disorder and I appreciate you sharing about your PTSD. All the best!! Thanks again!