P
Pollybird
Junior member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2023
- Messages
- 1
- Location
- US
Hello, I am hoping for advice. I have always been a little bit afraid of the dentist, but starting eight years ago it turned into a full-blown phobia. The short version is that eight years ago I tried to commit suicide and ended up in the hospital in a coma for several weeks, then afterward was placed in a mental hospital for a month. While I was in the mental hospital I was sexually assaulted. I now have a severe phobia about being touched by other people or having to hold still and let someone hurt me.
The trauma has ruined my life in a number of ways, from my hygiene (I'm afraid to remove my clothes or shower, I was assaulted during a forced shower) to my health because I have not been to a medical doctor or a dentist since it happened.
I am in therapy for these issues and have been for several years, but have not made much headway. But I can't go on as I am, because my teeth are cracking and chipping and are in terrible shape. My last dental visit was five years ago when I finally worked up the courage for a cleaning and I was not able to stop shaking and crying during it. I was so embarrassed and apologized repeatedly, but I could tell the dentist and hygienist were very put off by it. After the cleaning was done, the dentist came up to me at the front desk as I was paying my bill and told me that he did not feel capable of dealing with someone with my level of phobia and he would prefer if I did not return to him as a patient.
Now I am trying to find a new dentist, but I'm afraid the same thing will happen. I can make myself hold still, but I can't control the crying and shaking no matter how hard I try. I did warn the previous dentist before my visit that I was severely phobic and he said it was no problem, but once I got in the chair it clearly was a problem. I don't know what to do. I am going to lose my teeth if I don't get dental treatment soon, but I'm afraid I will just be told again that I am too much trouble and not to come back. I have had similar problems finding a doctor who is willing to deal with my fear.
Is there any hope for me? How can I find a dentist who has the patience and willingness to deal with extremely broken people? Is it even worth bothering to try? Thank you for any advice you can offer.
The trauma has ruined my life in a number of ways, from my hygiene (I'm afraid to remove my clothes or shower, I was assaulted during a forced shower) to my health because I have not been to a medical doctor or a dentist since it happened.
I am in therapy for these issues and have been for several years, but have not made much headway. But I can't go on as I am, because my teeth are cracking and chipping and are in terrible shape. My last dental visit was five years ago when I finally worked up the courage for a cleaning and I was not able to stop shaking and crying during it. I was so embarrassed and apologized repeatedly, but I could tell the dentist and hygienist were very put off by it. After the cleaning was done, the dentist came up to me at the front desk as I was paying my bill and told me that he did not feel capable of dealing with someone with my level of phobia and he would prefer if I did not return to him as a patient.
Now I am trying to find a new dentist, but I'm afraid the same thing will happen. I can make myself hold still, but I can't control the crying and shaking no matter how hard I try. I did warn the previous dentist before my visit that I was severely phobic and he said it was no problem, but once I got in the chair it clearly was a problem. I don't know what to do. I am going to lose my teeth if I don't get dental treatment soon, but I'm afraid I will just be told again that I am too much trouble and not to come back. I have had similar problems finding a doctor who is willing to deal with my fear.
Is there any hope for me? How can I find a dentist who has the patience and willingness to deal with extremely broken people? Is it even worth bothering to try? Thank you for any advice you can offer.