There’s a curious thing about human nature. Sometimes, we’d rather live in blissful ignorance than confront a potentially scary reality.

This is especially true when it comes to our health.

Many people, I’ve noticed, prefer not to know what’s going on with their bodies rather than make a trip to the doctor’s office.

Psychology has identified certain traits that these folks often share.

And while these traits may not be about editing or proofreading, they certainly shed light on human behavior and decision-making – something we all deal with daily, no matter our profession.

Ready to dive in? Here are seven traits of people who’d rather not know than go see a doctor.

1) Fear of the unknown

One of the most common traits among those who’d rather not know what’s going on with their health is a deep-seated fear of the unknown.

This fear doesn’t just apply to health issues, it’s a universal human trait. We are inherently scared of what we can’t predict or control.

And there’s not much that’s more unpredictable than our own bodies.

In fact, renowned psychologist Carl Jung once said, “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.”

In this context, accepting oneself could mean acknowledging that our health may not be perfect and seeking help when needed.

This fear of the unknown can paralyze us, making us avoid making a decision – like going to the doctor – because we fear the potential bad news.

Rather than face this fear, some people choose to remain in blissful ignorance.

It’s essential to remember that knowledge is power, even when it’s scary.

Knowing what’s going on with our bodies allows us to take action and regain some control, rather than leaving our health up to fate.

2) Avoidance behavior

This one hits a little closer to home. I’ve caught myself falling into this trap – avoiding the doctor for fear of what they might find.

It’s a classic example of avoidance behavior, a psychological term that refers to actions taken to evade or escape an unpleasant reality.

The renowned psychologist Sigmund Freud once said, “Men are more moral than they think and far more immoral than they can imagine.”

This quote might not seem directly related to health but bear with me.

Freud’s words remind us that we often underestimate our capacity for both positive and negative behaviors.

In this context, we might underestimate our ability to avoid confronting our health issues, not realizing that such avoidance could lead to bigger problems down the line.

I remember a time when I had this persistent headache. I convinced myself it was just stress and didn’t need medical attention.

The idea of visiting a doctor scared me more than the headache itself. Eventually, when the headaches wouldn’t go away, I was forced to confront my fear.

Turned out, it was a simple vision problem that needed glasses – nothing serious or life-threatening.

But the relief of knowing and being able to do something about it was immense.

This taught me a crucial lesson: By avoiding the doctor, we may be avoiding relief and solutions, not just potential bad news.

3) Denial as a coping mechanism

Ever thought to yourself, “If I don’t acknowledge it, it doesn’t exist”?

This is a classic example of denial, a defense mechanism where we refuse to accept reality as a way to protect ourselves from potentially hurtful facts.

Abraham Maslow, a well-known psychologist, said, “We fear to know the fearsome and unsavory aspects of ourselves, but we fear even more to know the godlike in ourselves.”

This quote highlights our tendency to shrink away from not just our flaws and fears, but also our potential and capabilities.

We are often afraid to confront our health issues because they remind us of our mortality – a deeply uncomfortable truth.

But in the same vein, acknowledging these issues can also remind us of our strength and resilience.

It’s raw and uncomfortable to admit that we’re scared. We’re scared of what the doctor might say, scared of having to change our lifestyles, scared of the unknown.

But it’s okay. It’s okay to be scared, and it’s okay to admit it.

The first step towards overcoming this fear is acknowledging it. And acknowledging our fears does not make us weak; it makes us human and gives us a starting point to work from.

4) Preference for instant gratification

Another common trait among those who’d prefer not to know about their health issues is a preference for instant gratification over long-term benefits.

In a landmark study on delayed gratification, psychologist Walter Mischel conducted the famous “Marshmallow Test” with a group of children.

The kids were given a choice – they could have one marshmallow immediately or wait and get two marshmallows later.

Mischel found that children who chose to wait – those who could delay gratification – tended to have better life outcomes in the long run.

This included better health, higher educational achievement, and lower levels of substance abuse.

This principle applies to our health too. The discomfort of a doctor’s visit and potential lifestyle changes can feel like too much in the moment.

It’s much easier to enjoy the comfort of ignorance now, rather than face the potential discomfort but receive better health in the long run.

Unfortunately, just like in Mischel’s experiment, choosing instant comfort over long-term health can lead to poorer outcomes down the line.

Opting for immediate gratification might feel good now, but it doesn’t pay off in the end.

5) Fear of judgement

Nobody likes to feel judged, right? I know I don’t. This fear of judgement often holds us back from seeking medical attention.

We worry about what the doctor might think of us, or that our lifestyle choices might be criticized.

This fear can be paralyzing, leading us to avoid seeking help even when we clearly need it.

Brian Tracy said, “The greatest gift you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.”

Although Tracy was primarily speaking about personal relationships, his words also apply to our relationship with ourselves.

We need to treat ourselves with the same unconditional love and acceptance that we would offer to others.

This includes not judging ourselves harshly for our health conditions or lifestyle choices.

Medical professionals are there to help, not judge. Their main goal is your wellbeing. Let’s not allow fear of judgement stop us from seeking the help we need.

6) Misplaced faith in self-healing

Believe it or not, some people who avoid going to the doctor do so out of a misguided belief in their body’s ability to heal itself, no matter the ailment.

In many ways, this faith in self-healing is admirable. Our bodies are incredibly resilient and capable of healing from many things on their own.

This belief becomes problematic when it prevents us from seeking necessary medical intervention.

Psychologist Martin Seligman once said, “Optimism is invaluable for the meaningful life. With a firm belief in a positive future, you can throw yourself into the service of that which is larger than you are.”

While Seligman’s words highlight the importance of optimism, it’s crucial to balance this optimism with realism when it comes to our health.

Yes, our bodies can heal from many things, but there are also conditions that require medical intervention.

Believing in our body’s ability to heal should not stop us from seeking help when we need it.

It’s about finding a balance between faith in our body’s resilience and understanding when professional help is necessary.

7) Fear of vulnerability

Finally, many people avoid the doctor because they fear being vulnerable.

Opening up about our health concerns can feel like revealing a weakness.

Renowned psychologist Brené Brown said, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”

Facing our health issues head-on requires us to be vulnerable, to admit that we don’t have all the answers, and to ask for help.

It’s not easy, but it’s essential for our well-being.

Final thoughts

Understanding these traits is not about assigning blame or pointing fingers at those who avoid doctors.

It’s about recognizing the very human fears and behaviors that can sometimes lead us astray from our own well-being.

We’ve delved into the psychology behind why some people would rather not know than go to the doctor.

We’ve seen how fear of the unknown, avoidance behavior, denial, preference for instant gratification, fear of judgment, misplaced faith in self-healing, and fear of vulnerability can all play a role.

But remember, recognition is the first step towards change. By understanding these traits, we can better identify them in ourselves and others.

And with that understanding comes the power to make different choices – choices that prioritize our health and well-being.

Next time you find yourself avoiding that doctor’s appointment, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself what’s really holding you back.

And remember, it’s okay to be scared, but your health is worth facing those fears.