Why is my granddaughter so afraid of anything medical…and what do we do now?

In this episode, we talked about what happens when fear around medical situations gets so strong that a young person can’t go to school or step into a doctor’s office.

This isn’t defiance. It’s a body reacting like it’s in danger.

One line to hold onto:
You’re not trying to get her to push through it. You’re helping her get used to it without overwhelming her.

The goal is not a big step right now. It’s helping her get a little closer to anything medical in a way her body can handle, and then letting that settle before trying again.

If this is happening in your home, these are strong, reputable places to start:

Child Mind Institute
https://childmind.org
Guides on anxiety, phobias, and school refusal in kids and teens

Anxiety Canada
https://www.anxietycanada.com
Step-by-step tools for exposure and managing fear responses

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
https://www.findcbt.org/FAT
Find therapists trained in exposure-based treatment for anxiety

If your child won’t go inside yet, ask providers if they will start outside, in a car, or by video. That’s not a step back. That’s where this work often begins.

You can watch the full episode HERE.