Health Decisions Evidence not Panic

Panic narrows options to fight-or-flight. Major health choices deserve sleep, second opinions, and written pros/cons.

Benefits and harms both exist for most interventions. Ask clinicians for numbers you understand—NNT, side effect rates.

Anecdotes are vivid; statistics are invisible. Balance them consciously.

Timing matters—waiting for scheduled surgery beats ER regret, but delaying needed care out of fear also kills.

Social pressure ('everyone is doing X') is not medical advice.

Document questions before appointments; advocates help in stressful systems.

Think-clearly-during-crisis applies emotionally.