The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – Roosevelt

 

The requisition for the ultrasound read “ History of acute pharyngitis – treated.  ? submandibular swelling; clinically NAD. Patient anxious.

 

This was the third requisition I had seen this week coming for a scan, all for different parts, different reasons. But what I have come to learn is that more often that not, these patients are sent for an imaging just to get an assurance that ALL IS WELL.

 

So why are people anxious? Well, in all the three cases, when I probed, a near/dear one was recently diagnosed/succumber to cancer. These people were becoming worked up and presenting with symptoms with which their relatives problems began.

 

It might seem absolutely absurd for us to stand on this side of the world and wonder why these people are going paranoid about subtle symptoms (most of the time non existent); I guess there is no fear as fear per se!