I’ve had a really severe phobia of the dentist ever since I was a child, and it’s only gotten worse as I’ve grown to adulthood. I once brought this up to my therapist, and she said it’s actually really common for survivors because the dentist is similar to sexual assault in a lot of ways.

Just today I had my first dentist appointment in 6 years at a fear free dentist. I was told they’d give me a sedative, but apparently the dentist wanted to meet me first. I wouldn’t sit in the chair so they brought me a normal one and had the dentist just come talk to me. He sat far away and explained what he’d do today but I dissociated and didn’t hear any of it. Then he repeated he’d only take X-rays, not even put anything in my mouth and I just burst into tears. So he said next time he’d give me something better than a Valium and we rescheduled.

Does anyone else have a severe phobia of the dentist? What do you do to get through it?