DS1 will soon be 4. Since he was 8 months old he has had an intense fear / phobia of doctors. We have tried many strategies to see if we can help him through this (list below) but nothing seems to work.

He is particularly frightened of opening his mouth for a doctor. Unfortunately he has tonsil / adenoid and associated sleep issues which mean trips to the doctor for prescriptions and reviews etc ...... but he will not open his mouth so each time we have to draw what his tonsils currently look like for our GP and Sleep Specialist . DH took him to our GP today and reported that at least the GP got a good look at DS1's throat today because he SCREAMED so loudly and for so long he was able to clearly see his tonsils

I expect we're just going to have to wait for him to grow out of this fear ...... although I was hoping that at nearly 4 years we would be past this. We have tried:

- Stories and sticker books about "Going to the Doctor"
- Role playing "Doctors" at home practising on him, us, DD, DS2 and dolls etc.
- Taking him to our own or to his siblings' appointments so he can just observe the process

The fear is not getting any less. As soon as we arrive at the doctor's surgery DS1 is quiet and reserved, sits on our laps (all quite out of character) and as soon as we are called into the doctor's room he starts to cry. At one stage it got so bad I had to type out everything I wanted to tell the doctor and hand the 'letter' to him as I walked in the door because it was so difficult to speak over the top of DS1's screaming.

Any ideas??

Thanks

How about "gradual exposure"? So the first few times just walk up to the doctors surgery, then go home again. Next, go in to the reception and perhaps have to "wait" a minute or two. Then next time go and "wait" in the reception area.

I think if you have a good relationship with your doctor and their surgery, they might allow you to go into a doctors room (iwithout) the dr present) for a minute.

So you get my point. Gradual exposure. Good luck!

whipdog - thanks for your reply. Great idea. I think we'll give that a go. Much appreciated.