“There are many reasons people might put off going to the doctor, according to Dr. Ghadeer Okayli, a psychiatrist in Austin, Texas who specializes in anxiety, depression, and mental illness. It could be that someone has social anxiety, and he’s afraid of being judged by doctors. Sometimes it could be caused by a panic disorder, if patients fear exhibiting physical symptoms like sweating or trembling if they go to a doctor. Someone might not have the time or money to see a physician. Or it could just be pure apathy. But for a large number of Okayli’s patients who avoid medical tests, they’re scared that a test will reveal a disease they have. It’s a form of denial, according to Okayli—they assure themselves they’re fine while worrying, deep down, that they’re not. ¶ “Some people avoid tests because they don’t want to deal with the stress right now and just want to enjoy life,” said Okayli, who has worked with these kinds of patients for more than 15 years.” • #схватил_за_мозг - × × ×