Whether it’s the fear of receiving bad news, the stress of managing logistics, or the emotional weight of confronting illness, the prospect of scheduling a medical appointment can be a source of significant anxiety for many patients.
This feeling is both common and understandable, and while it can be managed, it’s important to acknowledge those feelings and give yourself space and time to process them.
“You can’t simply stamp out anxiety,” observes Dana-Farber social worker Benjamin Peirce, MSW, LICSW. “But with support and planning it can be minimized.”
Understanding anxiety
To begin addressing anxiety, you first need to understand what it can look like. It may manifest in different ways from person to person. Symptoms might include:
- irritability
- a heightened startle response
- difficulty concentrating
- low mood
- difficulty relaxing or a feeling of tiredness.
These may be accompanied by physical symptoms like
- headaches
- muscle tension
- racing heart rate
- restlessness
- shortness of breath
It’s important to find professional support to help with severe or chronic anxiety, if possible. Left unchecked, it can have effects on your health. For example, the extra physical stress on your heart may be detrimental to your cardiovascular health. Stress hormones can contribute to central nervous system harm that can lead to headaches, dizziness, weight gain and depression. Anxiety may also be behind digestive issues like stomach pain, IBS, or diarrhea, and could increase your vulnerability to viral infections and worsen asthma.
Why am I feeling anxious about making a medical appointment?
Feeling anxious about setting up a medical appointment is normal. There are many things that people might feel temporarily anxious about. Among people with cancer, one common source of anxiety surrounds regular scans. The experience is so universal it has even spawned a popular pun, scanxiety.

Sometimes that anxiety can be serious enough to stop someone from making an appointment. To overcome this, it can be helpful to first understand and acknowledge why you’re feeling this way. Some sources of anxiety connected to scheduling an appointment might include:
Emotional overload
The emotional burden of dealing with cancer or other illnesses can be overwhelming. Appointments may bring up feelings of vulnerability, fear, or sadness. Prior experiences in medical settings may also be causing you anxiety.
“It’s a space that brings back a lot of stressful memories for some,” notes Dana-Farber social worker Mackenzie Cordova, MSW, LCSW. “Even the scheduling process can bring those memories and anxieties back.”
“For many patients, there’s no such thing as a stress-free appointment,” Peirce adds. “Even though a place like Dana-Farber is a place of healing, it can also be connected with traumatic experiences.”
Fear of the unknown
The uncertainty of what an appointment might reveal can be daunting. People often worry about the potential changes that their diagnosis or treatment may bring to their life.
“This is completely understandable,” Peirce observes. “Coming to a new clinic involves so much uncertainty about the future.”
Logistical concerns
All the work involved in setting up appointments – coordinating schedules, arranging transportation, and managing time off work – can add to existing stress.
If you are making an appointment at Dana-Farber, schedulers can help you work around your various responsibilities. There are also a host of resources for families and patients that need help with lodging, transportation, and finances. These options can be discussed with a resource specialist during your very first call to Dana-Farber or with your care team or social worker once you have established your care.
“Your life doesn’t stop for treatment,” Cordova says. “We want to make it as easy as possible to fit it all together.”
Communication worries
Some people may feel anxious about discussing their symptoms or concerns with their healthcare provider, fearing they might not be understood or taken seriously. This could be for a variety of reasons, from cultural and language barriers to worries about gender expression and sexuality or neuro-inclusivity.
Care providers and scheduling staff at Dana-Farber know that every patient comes with their own unique background and needs, and they stress cultural competency and inclusion in every call and appointment. In addition to interpreter services, Dana-Farber offers a patient navigator program, disability services, and neuro-inclusive services.
Strategies to address appointment-related anxiety
Acknowledge your feelings
It’s important to recognize that feeling anxious is a normal response. Allow yourself to experience these emotions without judgment.
Prepare in advance
Write down any questions or concerns you have before the appointment. This can help ensure you cover all your points and feel more in control. You may also want to find an environment where you are comfortable and put aside time to experience and acknowledge your emotions.
“Where am I most comfortable? Where will I have privacy? When will I have some free time?” Cordova asks. “These are some questions that can help you prepare to make that call.”
Discuss with your family or support network how you will handle the logistics of the appointment. Having a clear plan can alleviate some of the stress.
Lean on a support person
Having a trusted friend or family member with you can provide emotional support and help you remember important information about your appointment. They may even be able to take over the logistics of scheduling.
“It might not be best to take away ownership over care for some people, but if anxiety is getting in the way of making an appointment at all, then a trusted support person can be immensely helpful,” says Peirce.
Practice relaxation or grounding techniques
Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or visualization can help calm your mind before making the call or attending the appointment. Dana-Farber’s Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies offers an online library of free mindfulness resources to everyone, and in-person and virtual meditation sessions for Dana-Farber patients.
It might also be helpful to set up a reward to look forward to after an appointment call, like a meal you enjoy or a comforting TV show. This can be a great way to relax and provide yourself with motivation.
Focus on movement
In addition to a host of benefits, exercise – light or heavy – can help alleviate anxiety. In addition to meditation, the Zakim Center offers several movement-based courses including yoga and Qigong classes.
Be kind to yourself
Remember, it’s okay to feel anxious, and it’s important to be gentle with yourself during this time. Allow yourself moments of rest and self-care, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when needed.
Seek professional support
Some people may be able to manage anxiety on their own or with the help of a friend or family member. However, if challenges continue after using some of these tips, the support of a social worker or mental health professional is crucial.
If anxiety becomes overwhelming, consider speaking with a mental health professional who can provide coping strategies tailored to your needs. At Dana-Farber, social workers can engage in talk-therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, share coping skills, and help you navigate other resources. There are also several support groups at Dana-Farber that provide a safe space to share experiences with individuals facing similar challenges.
Reaching out for support at Dana-Farber is convenient and complimentary. The social work department offers appointments by phone, video call, and in person to provide the type of support that best fits your needs.
Dana-Farber is committed to supporting you and your family every step of the way. By acknowledging your feelings, preparing thoughtfully, and seeking support, you can navigate the process of scheduling and attending medical appointments with greater ease and confidence.
Helpful article.