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Severe health anxiety and fear of hospitals

Posted By kilokq65

"Severe health anxiety and fear of hospitals"

About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Endoscopy and day care Psychological therapies / Critical Care Clinical Psychology Service

(as the patient),

Referred to Dr Butchard at CCCPS after suffering from severe health anxiety and fear of hospitals after 2 health related incidents, the first in 1989 resulting in a stay in ICU and not expected to survive, and the second during the covid peak. The 2 incidents had left me feeling petrified from hospital and dental appts as both of these situations were not of my doing they were both caused by negligence.

In 2024 I was referred for an endoscope at FVRH where I was treated dreadfully by a nurse as I tried to explain my fear and trauma and that I was allergic to anaesthesia. I was petrified but they dismissed me as an idiot and I walked out. I then had to go private  to get the care. If I had taken the sedation as they said then I would have kicked out as I would have remembered the life support tube in my throat.

After all this my GP referred me to Psychology  critical care psychology. Talking and counselling have helped and I felt safe, understood, listened to and believed.

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Responses

Response from Michelle Gilbertson, Senior Charge Nurse, Endoscopy Department, NHS Forth Valley last month
Michelle Gilbertson
Senior Charge Nurse, Endoscopy Department,
NHS Forth Valley

Submitted on 18/09/2025 at 11:49
Published on Care Opinion at 11:49

Hi Kilokq65

I am very sorry to hear of your experience in the Endoscopy Unit and that you did not feel listened to.

As a unit we always try to reassure patients at admission and discuss individual anxieties as we understand attending for these procedures can be daunting, I will take on board with the team that this did not occur for your experience.

I am happy to hear that the counselling you attended have helped you.

Kind Regards

Michelle Gilbertson SCN Endoscopy Unit

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Response from Rachel Vickers, Consultant Clinical Psychologist/Head of Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology, NHS Forth Valley 2 weeks ago
Rachel Vickers
Consultant Clinical Psychologist/Head of Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology,
NHS Forth Valley

Submitted on 01/10/2025 at 14:51
Published on Care Opinion at 14:51

picture of Rachel Vickers

Dear Kilokq65

I came across your Care Opinion story on my return from leave, hence my delay in replying.

I am sorry to hear you have had several challenging experiences in a hospital setting which had led to significant anxiety. I am pleased to hear that your sessions with the Critical Care Psychology Service helped you feel understood and listened to. I will pass your positive feedback on to Dr Butchard.

Best wishes

Rachel

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