Embarrassed to go to the doctor?
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World of Secrets is where untold stories are exposed. And in this new series, we investigate the dark side of the wellness industry, following the story of a woman who joined a yoga school only to uncover a world she never expected. I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this. Where the hope of spiritual breakthroughs leaves people vulnerable to exploitation. You just get sucked in spiritually.

so gradually and it's done so skillfully that you don't realise.

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Learn more at apu.apus.edu slash military. Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil. And I'm Beth. Lots of things can make us feel embarrassed. That self-conscious, uncomfortable feeling when your face blushes red and you wish you could just disappear.

Have you had any embarrassing moments, Neil? Yes, many. Once I met my parents in a car park and I saw them arriving in their car and I waved my hands around in a very silly way but, unfortunately, I soon discovered...

Hello!

Oh dear. But embarrassment is more than just shyness and blushing. When it comes to our health, there's no end of things to be embarrassed about. Yes, and some people feel so embarrassed that they don't go to see a doctor when they should, sometimes with serious consequences.

In this programme, we'll be discussing the issue of medical embarrassment. And, as usual, we'll be learning some useful new words and phrases. So, I have a question. Neil, according to the UK's Nursing Times newspaper, what percentage of people surveyed said they had delayed visiting their doctor out of embarrassment and then later been diagnosed with a health condition? Was it a 21%? No.

b 41% or c 61%? So, I think it's probably a lot. So, c 61%. OK, we will find out if that's correct at the end of the programme. As humans, we get embarrassed if we feel different from others, especially if the difference is physical. But how does feeling embarrassed about a medical condition impact our relationship with the doctor?

Here's Dr Vanessa Appiah, consultant in sexual health at Barts Hospital in London, explaining more to BBC Radio 4 programme Inside Health. So they'll delay accessing the clinic and also seeking treatment. And so then you'll often see people that could have been diagnosed with what's happening much earlier and could have had earlier intervention, but it's delayed quite significantly.

And so I then feel that we see a lot of people kind of suffering in silence, really. Many people delay going to the doctor. They postpone going or put it off until a later time. As a result, their problem isn't diagnosed. To diagnose means to identify a disease or health problem through medical examination.

For some, feelings of embarrassment are so strong they prefer to suffer in silence, to struggle with pain without seeking help, rather than visit the doctor.

But fortunately, there are things you can do to help. Writing your problem down, going with a friend and visiting a doctor you trust are some ideas Dr Appiah recommends. There are ways that doctors can help as well, as Dr Vanessa Appiah explains here to James Gallagher, presenter of BBC Radio 4 programme Inside Health. Can you tell us what techniques you use to put people at ease?

I bring transparency to the conversation and own it and say that

I'm going to be asking you some quite personal questions and there may be also intimate examination. I want to assure you that this is confidential, that this is a safe, non-judgmental space. So really, I often name the words to create that space as well. Also in my manner, I would hope, and in my non-verbal cues. James asks what doctors can do to put people at ease, to make them feel calm and relaxed.

and Dr Appiah describes her ideal conversation. It's a safe space, it's non-judgmental and what is said is confidential, kept private and not shared with anyone. As well as discussing embarrassing problems sensitively, Dr Appiah also uses non-verbal cues – the expression on her face, her hand movements and the tone of her voice rather than words to communicate and relax the patient –

Embarrassment is normal and with support, hopefully more of us will feel safe to visit the doctor despite it. OK Beth, isn't it time to reveal the answer to your question? It is. I asked you what percentage of people said they had delayed visiting the doctor because they were embarrassed but then had later been diagnosed with a health condition.

Do you remember what you said, Neil? Yes, I think I said C, 61%. I'm afraid that is not the correct answer. It was in fact A, 21% or just over a fifth.

OK, let's recap the new vocabulary we've used, starting with delay – to postpone or put off until a later time. To diagnose a disease or medical condition means to identify it by recognising the symptoms and examining the patient. If you suffer in silence, you endure and struggle with painful feelings without asking someone for help. The phrasal verb 'put someone at ease' means to make someone feel calm and relaxed.

The adjective confidential means kept private and secret and describes information which is not shared with anyone else. And finally, non-verbal cues are types of communication using facial expressions, hand gestures or tone of voice rather than speech to show your feelings.

Once again, our six minutes are up, but why not build your vocabulary and listening skills even more with the quiz and worksheet related to this programme? They're both available now on our website bbclearningenglish.com. See you there. Bye.

Thanks for listening to 6 Minute English. Did you know we have a BBC Learning English email newsletter? Subscribe for our latest lessons, worksheets and quizzes and weekly tips to help you study. Just search BBC Learning English newsletter or follow the link in the notes for this programme. Yoga is more than just exercise. It's the spiritual practice that millions swear by.

And in 2017, Miranda, a university tutor from London, joins a yoga school that promises profound transformation. It felt a really safe and welcoming space. After the yoga classes, I felt amazing. But soon, that calm, welcoming atmosphere leads to something far darker, a journey that leads to allegations of grooming, trafficking and exploitation across international borders.

I don't have my passport, I don't have my phone, I don't have my bank cards, I have nothing. The passport being taken, the being in a house and not feeling like they can leave...

You just get sucked in so gradually.

And it's done so skillfully that you don't realize. And it's like this, the secret that's there. I wanted to believe that, you know, that whatever they were doing, even if it seemed...

to me was for some spiritual reason that I couldn't yet understand. Revealing the hidden secrets of a global yoga network. I feel that I have no other choice. The only thing I can do is to speak about this and to put my reputation and everything else on the line. I want truth and justice.

And for other people to not be hurt, for things to be different in the future. To bring it into the light and almost alchemise some of that evil stuff that went on and take back the power. World of Secrets, Season 6, The Bad Guru. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.