Nobody likes to go to the doctors. As well as feeling unwell and possibly anxious about your health, you might also find the doctors themselves nervewracking. Many people find it difficult to communicate with doctors and, in some cases, this leads to some doctors not taking patients seriously.
While doctors are trained in their bedside manner, it’s still good to keep the lines of communication open on your side. This will help you to communicate more effectively and, if necessary, properly advocate for yourself.
Write Down Symptoms
One of the first things most doctors say when you walk in is “what’s bothering you?” While it seems like a simple question, especially if you went to the doctor with a specific concern in mind, sometimes your mind just goes blank. You might not know what to say, which leads to symptoms being missed.
If you find yourself doing this, then the best thing to do is to write down your symptoms and concerns before you go in to see the doctor or nurse. This means that you can put things down when you’re less anxious and you’re unlikely to forget anything.
Doctors shouldn’t mind if you read from a note or simply hand it to them and explain that you’ve written down your concerns. After all, if you have a more accurate note of your symptoms, they can more easily come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Be Honest and Thorough
When talking to your doctor, whether it’s a GP or another specialist like a mental health professional, it’s important to be honest and thorough. You might find yourself downplaying symptoms.
Writing things down will help with this, but you also need to think about your symptoms on your worst day, as well as any patterns. If you tell the doctor that you can “manage okay actually”, they’re much less likely to take your issues seriously.
It can also be helpful to take someone you trust to see the doctor with you. They might remember symptoms that you’ve forgotten or haven’t even noticed. Your loved ones are also less likely to downplay your issues and they can provide you with support.
See Specialists When Necessary
While your GP is helpful for most common and minor conditions, there are times when it’s best to see a specialist. Your GP might refer you to a specialist, especially if they diagnose you with a condition that they can’t properly treat.
However, you can also see a specialist yourself. For example, an ENT (ears, nose, throat) specialist is the ideal person to speak to and find helpful advice about repeated sinus issues, concerns about your hearing, and conditions like eustachian tube dysfunction.
You can also see a specialist about concerns about your mental health. Your GP can provide some help, but therapy and specialized treatment, as well as a proper diagnosis, all require a mental health professional. The same principles of being honest and thorough apply, and speak up if you have concerns about your treatment.
