Iatrophobia (Hospital and Doctor Phobia)

Iatrophobia (also known as nosocomephobia or hospital phobia) is a specific phobia in the DSM-5 classification of anxiety disorders. It is characterized by intense, irrational fear of doctors, healthcare settings, and medical procedures, beginning often in childhood after a traumatic medical experience or witnessing the suffering of a relative.

Patients display avoidance of routine check-ups, screening tests, vaccinations, and treatment of established disease, leading to delayed diagnoses, worse prognoses, and complications. Anticipatory anxiety can manifest as panic attacks, autonomic symptoms (palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea), and dissociation. White-coat hypertension, the inability to provide accurate medical history, and noncompliance with prescribed regimens are common.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy with graded exposure is the gold-standard treatment. Virtual reality exposure, systematic desensitization, and supportive therapy can complement traditional approaches. Pharmacotherapy with SSRIs or short-term benzodiazepines may be helpful for severe cases or specific procedures. Patient-centered approaches — explanation, control, predictable steps, and trust-building — are central to clinical engagement.