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Staying Healthy
Are you too embarrassed to go to the doctor?
- By Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
Here are some tips for those times when you feel uncomfortable, shy, or even ashamed at the physician’s office.
Doctors are charged with caring for every aspect of our health, right down to our birthday suits and our most private mental and physical issues. It’s just part of the job for the experts, who deal with intimate details all day, every day.
However, you may feel embarrassed being up-front or vulnerable with professionals you see only a few times a year — or have just met. That may keep you from being honest during a doctor visit; some research suggests up to 81% of patients withhold details about their health habits from doctors because they don’t want to be judged or lectured.
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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