topic Dental ANXIETY / PTSD 3 years in Anxiety

Dental ANXIETY / PTSD 3 years

Flower Earth angel — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 14:25:17 GMT

Can any one help i dont feel safe laying at the dentist...for a long prodecure and extraction.

i have have neck issues and severe ptsd..ear problems

imworried when im laying there or ifthey put me tosleep my weak body wont cope.

I wish i was strong...i wish i can feel ok.

I donthave a psychologist ii had onebut it was awful. and wont have time to book a new one.

i dont know if ill have family orfriends to come with me but illtrynot that it willchange it

Much appreciated.

Dental ANXIETY / PTSD 3 years

PamelaR — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 03:13:59 GMT

Hello Flower Earth angel

Welcome to Beyond Blue (BB) forums. You'll find the people here are friendly, caring, supportive and respect individual privacy.

It certainly sounds like you have a lot of things you're worried about when you go to the dentist. I think there are some practical things you could do:

Tell the dentist that you have neck problems and worried about how laying down will affect it. I'm sure they have lots of people with neck issues and they have to be extra careful.

You mention PTSD...ear problems. Not sure whether your PTSD is related to ear problems or whether you have PTSD and an ear problem.

I too have PTSD, so understand you don't want to get triggered. Just not sure about what you think the trigger will be. Are you able to say what will trigger you? Maybe then we can work through some possible ways you can approach the appointment.

Kind regards

PamelaR

Dental ANXIETY / PTSD 3 years

Flower Earth angel — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:11:44 GMT

Thankyou for your response.

I got a care plan to revist a psychologist but i am not sure who to see ,i feelsoexhausted i have toldmy story to many therapists and doctors. Now i dont feel its right to share anymore.

Im worried i amphysically to weak andmentally to weak to do the procedure.

we are not sure yet what the ear is.

i have theoption of going to an ear professor which i will and i also need to get the extraction done if he thinks thats causing it. the dentist said its not then another dentist said it has to come out anyway.

my ptsd start from being able toleave the house and worrying during the procedure my anxiety is so bad laying back as my ear symptoms are scary and make me feel like if they put me to sleep i will be out of control .

i dont have close friends.

ive had this ear issue for 3 years and waiting is making me more and more weak and afraid. i do not work.

i feel i wasted the last two years avoiding this dental procedure and it could be the reason i have tinnitus and ear pressure and blockages.

i will tell the dentist and take medical paper to explain. do i see a new therapist ... it might take a whiletoget one.

question is how do i cope with teh anxiety until i get this done . i dont have many distractions, and in theback of my mind what if its not from this. do i wait to see the ear professor.

i hate waiting......

PTSD is just to much for me to bear. i needa really good therapist forthis.

my doctor says to stopworrying about the ear but i cant.

Dental ANXIETY / PTSD 3 years

PamelaR — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 23:42:10 GMT

Hellow Flower Earth Angel

Wow, you've really got a lot happening for you. 3 years with the ear problem that could be associated with a tooth problem. Ouch, that must hurt.

You say - you've told your story to many therapists and doctors. You don't think it's right to share anymore. I know what you mean about telling your story again and again. I can't stand that either. Generally the psychologists I've seen a pretty understanding and don't make me go into the details. They are usually more focussed on giving me strategies to help me cope with my anxiety. So in some ways I've been lucky. Finding the right health professionals is sometimes the key to improving your anxiety levels. Why don't you think it's right to share?

There are many ways to help people manage dental anxiety. It is important to let the dentist know if you experience any level of dental anxiety. Open discussion around the individual triggers of anxiety can help the dentist work with you to tailor a treatment plan for you. Some coping techniques that can assist some individuals include:

deep breathing
meditation
distraction (such as listening to music or the use of screens)
guided imagery
progressive muscle relaxation
hypnosis.

In some instances dentists with patients that have severe dental anxiety or phobia may give a relative analgesia (happy gas), anxiety relieving medication, conscious sedation (twilight sedation) or general anaesthesia.
Relative analgesia, known as happy gas or laughing gas, nitrous oxide can help people relax during dental treatment. A mask is fitted to your face, and you breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. It takes effect within a few minutes and wears off quickly.

You will feel relaxed but will still be awake. You can talk to the dentist, and hear what they say to you, but you won’t necessarily remember everything once the visit is over.

For most people, the relaxed sensation created by nitrous oxide sedation is very pleasant. Occasionally people don’t like the sensation it creates, and other options can be considered.

So there are quite a number of options the dentist can give you to help you and your anxiety. It will mean talking to them. Dentists these days are so much better than when I went to them as a child. Much calmer and more interested in helping reduce your fear.

Kind regards

PamelaR

Dental ANXIETY / PTSD 3 years

Flower Earth angel — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 03:34:03 GMT

Thankyou will message you back soon

Dental ANXIETY / PTSD 3 years

Doolhof — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 04:12:41 GMT

Hi Flower Earth angel,

PamelaR has offered some wonderful advice! I'd just like to add that if you don't feel like you can verbally tell the dentist how you are feeling, than write it down and hand the paper to the receptionist at the time of your appointment or even days before if possible.

Lately I have developed anxiety and panic attacks. Why I am not really sure! I knew one day I was not coping at all well so wrote a note for the receptionist at the Drs and handed it to her so I didn't need to talk with her. She was very understanding and told me to sit down while she checked me in.

If people know what is going on, they are better able to assist and help us.

Distraction works well for me. I sometimes take along my own book to read while waiting. If you have a mobile phone that might keep your mind busy while you are waiting.

Hope you get in to see all the people you need to soon!

Cheers from Dools