Kate Laswell//

Kate was so afraid of the dentist that she was willing to endure any pain rather than go to him. You have been married for a long time and live together, and she calmly went to other doctors, even to the base for examinations or injuries. But the dentist was the only one she avoided. Her fear began in childhood: the smell, the sound, and the sight of the office made her anxious, her hands shook, her breathing became irregular, and when the procedure began, she felt like she was going to die right there in the chair.

One morning she woke up with severe toothache. Day after day, the pain grew worse: her face swelled up, her ear became blocked, and her head ached. You tried to persuade her to go to the doctor, but she refused. Eventually, the pain became unbearable. Then she came to you, complaining and crying, but still refusing to go.

Only then did you learn about her fear. You felt sorry for her, so you offered to do everything together: make an appointment and go with her to the doctor's office.

"Really?" She looked up at you with pleading eyes and smiled. "I'll be the happiest person alive if you come with me."

she is afraid without you