Any ideas on phobias? | ADHD Information

Glen - I guess I could give that a try but I'm doubtful as I think my hatred for that thing is too large to over come.  I will try it tho.

Peita - Wish I had some helpful ideas.  I think someone already mentioned using gas and I think that would be the thing to try.  It could relax you enough, so that none of it bothers you.  As a kid that was the only way the dentist could get a shot into my mouth, was to gas me first and then I didn't care.  I could still feel the shot but not as bad and really I just didn't care.  Good Luck!  You can do it!

I constantly clench my teeth to the point where my jaw and ears hurt

I used to grind my back teeth when I was asleep, but there the ones that fell out when I was pregnant. So I don't have to worry about that anymore.

I think the babysteps are a good idea.  In course I took in college I saw several people become de-sensitized to snakes.  There is even a therapy for this similar to the babysteps.  

Thanks guys. Think I'll have to go with the baby steps. It's a pretty fierce phobia and I know I've got alot of work to be done

It's not the pain I have problems with, I cant stand the smell, the sound of the equiptment, the light the shine in your eyes and most of all, I cant take their hands and that tube stuck in my mouth. I feel like I'm suffocating and I've actually stopped breathing and passed out before out of pure terror. I couldn't breathe and I couldnt talk. I really did think I was going to die. Its like this each time I go. Just thinking about it my heart is starting to pound

One time when we were traveling with a 3 month old baby, I had swelling and pain in my mouth and needed a dentist. I picked an ad out of the yellow pages that said, "we cater to cowards". They were very nice, it's been a long time and I don't remember what all they did. He said, "you are clenching your teeth, probably due to stress, which is causing you swelling and problems - you should take a vacation!"

I said, "I AM ON VACATION!!!"

I have a huge fear of the dentist. My teeth were perfect until I fell pregnant then all my back molars began to just crumble.

I should have gone when it first started as noe they're getting really bad but I just can't go.

I made four or five appointments just to back out at the last minute.

Any ideas before all my teeth rot?

And it's not because I didn't look after them, I was fanatical because I was sooooo scared of the dentist.

That's the other part of it, I don't want to get a disapproving look from the dentist

If neccisary, they can 'gas' you and you won't know a thing is going on! But a local is usually enough, I've had some dental work, and believe me, Your wallet aches more and longer than your teeth. But, the sooner you get the teeth repaired, the less it should cost(unless you just get them snatched out, not a good idea). Just paid for three root canals for DD. It saves the natural tooth and prevents abcesses in the tooth when the nerve dies from exposure.

It wasn't actually your fault for the tooth decay, your child was drawing a lot of calcium from your system, which depleted your teeth. This is also why women suffer osteoporosis at higher rates than men, child development requires a 'lot' of calcium. I would suggest a calcium supplement ASAP and regularly(i'm not a doc, just play one on the net).

That's a tough one.  I had a good friend who was married to a dentist.  She told him of my fear.  When I finally made it in, he was extremely nice and understanding.   Maybe if you told them your fear, that might help.

Another thing,  without making an appointment, drive there.  If you don't make it all the way, keep trying until you get to the parking lot.  Then, walk closer and closer to the door (could take days or weeks) until you are able to walk through the door.  Walk thro the door, turn around and walk back out.  (Who cares what the receptionist thinks?)  Do this until you are able to walk in and make the appointment in person.  Sit in the chair.  Tell them what is going on.  Hopefully this helps

This worked for me for elevators. Baby steps.  I can ride an elevator,(but still prefer stairs.)  I can drive across bridges now (as long as the weather is good)  I can swim in water over my head now (but refuse to get into the lake)   I have gotten over several different phobias where I am able to function.  Still have one very BIG one I haven't been able to shake yet. 

I say all that to say, I can totally empathize with ya.  Good luck, don't give up




Countrygirl38778.1984953704

 anti-bruxism guard as I find these days I grind

I grind my teeth at night.  I will wake myself up, that's a horrible feeling.  I don't have much luck with the guard either, I'll wake-up in the morning and find that I've thrown it across the room.  I'm doing considerable damage to my teeth, by grinding and clenching my teeth together but I can not stand that stupid contraption in my mouth either.

Had that trouble too.  My dentist gave me advice to wear it while watching TV before bed.  I got gradually used to it so now I find I can wear it at night with very few tosses across the room.

Also get some sensitive-teeth toothpaste.  It reinforces the enamel and I find there's not much pain from the thin enamel anymore.

It takes time - you have to work at wearing it since it changes the amount of saliva (I felt like I was drooling!) and it changes the position of the jaw.  Give it some trial like just a couple hours before bed.  It does help!

I hear on the local radio a lot about "sedation dentistry" - i.e. knocking you out before even cleaning.  Seems to be very popular.

The only trouble with that is that sedation is always with the risk of complications - and I'd imagine that because you are on stims that they have to alter the amounts of what they use.  Just make sure to get a good one right off.

I haven't had a trouble with dentists - my teeth were always very good.  Though I shouldn't talk - I went for an appointment at age 17 then again at 35.  But the good (lucky) thing was that only 2 cavities were found and small ones.  I was thankful to go in and get an anti-bruxism guard as I find these days I grind even when awake.  But I do trust my dentist (even though he went light on the novacaine and I got a zap last time).  Oh - forget I said that peita - it went fine! Really!

Oh that was mean - sorry.  Actually it wasn't bad but I don't like full physicals for a "phobia" reason.  Got it from my dad - he was so homophobic that he would constantly spout off that docs probing a man was "gay" and that he'd NEVER go in to get the full exam.  He's 74 and still on that tangent.  I fight it and get my regular exam knowing I certainly don't want any surprises.

I used to go early to the dentist so I could get a sedative.  That helped a lot.  My fear used to be so bad, I would clinch the arms of the chair so hard that I was scaring the dentist.  I had a phobia that I would stick my tongue through the drill.

But for some reason, I got over all that.  It really doesn't scare me to go to the dentist anymore.

Hope you figure something out soon.
I went through similar dental fears.
Didn't go for years but felt so guilty I was fanatical about brushing/flossing etc.
Had to go when I lost a filling that was painfull - forced me into it.

Now I wonder what the heck was so frightening???? I go with my kids with nary a qualm.

Not great advice or anything, but true.

I don't fear dentists/doctors much but being in the hospital - shudder.

I was in last year. TORTURE!!!!!!
Three days I was expected to lay still and watch television!?
I don't do either one. Nope. I could read barely. My family visited a lot, so, what did I feel most?  Tragic longing to see my dog. He paced and acted weird while I was gone too.

I can relate to fear of dentists - I am just fortunate that I haven't had anything painful happen in the several years since I had my wisdom teeth out.  I haven't actually been awake at a dentist since I was a kid.  When I do have to go in, I plan to keep it that way.

But don't even talk to me about open stairways or airplanes.