Tips for Talking With a Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health
People often find it difficult to consult with a health care provider, but why? There can be several reasons, and one of them is that they feel a slight shame to talk about their mental health.
There are professionals for everything, whether it is about your mental health or physical health. Talking about mental health sometimes feels disgraceful, and people avoid talking about it. It is not shameful to talk about how you feel. You must be confident and prepared to talk your heart out at these visits.
Who is a Mental Health GP?
A Mental Health GP is a General Practitioner (GP) with specialised training or a special interest in mental health care. They provide initial assessment, diagnosis, and management for common mental health conditions, prescribe and manage medication, and can refer individuals to other specialists like psychologists or psychiatrists. Here is what to expect from a Mental Health GP near me:
- GPs are the first to consult for mental health.
- They are trained to recognise, diagnose, and manage mental health disorders.
- They can perform basic mental health assessments, write mental health care plans, and prescribe and manage medications.
- Depending on your needs, a GP can refer you to other professionals such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
- In some cases, they can provide psychological therapy themselves for less severe conditions.
Now, how to prepare, bringing a friend or asking questions must be considered.
Health Care Provider and You: Discussions, Preparations and Questions
| How to Prepare Ahead of Your Visit? | Bring a Friend or Relative | Be Honest and Ask Questions |
| There can be a time limit for the appointment with a healthcare professional, so preparing ahead can help you use time wisely. Make a list of questions you want to discuss and any concerns you might have. Tell your provider about all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements. Certain mental illnesses tend to run in families, and having a relative with a mental disorder could mean you are at higher risk. Knowing your family’s mental health history can help you and your healthcare provider learn about the disorder easily. | If you are not feeling well or plan to bring a company, it doesn’t matter who brings them with you to your healthcare provider visit. You may feel confident and more like yourself with a friend or relative at your appointment. A companion can be there to support, help you take notes and remember what you and the provider discussed. They might also provide input to the provider about how they think you are doing. While some people find it comfortable to have friends visit with them, others might prefer going alone. | Discuss your persistent sad, anxious or empty mood with your provider. Being honest can help you drain out all the emotions and feel better. If you have difficulty sleeping, having trouble sitting still, appetite or weight fluctuations or other signs and symptoms of mental illness discuss it with honesty. Having doubts is normal, so don’t hesitate to ask questions. A mental health provider can recommend diagnosis and treatment, so listen and be peaceful throughout the session. |
FAQs: Mental Health and You
Q1. Is it normal to have an inherited mental illness?
Yes, it is normal for a mental illness to have an inherited component, as genetics are known to play a significant role in the risk of developing various mental health conditions. However, having an inherited predisposition does not guarantee you will develop a disorder; mental illnesses are complex and typically result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and life experiences.
Q2. How to learn if I have a mental illness or not?
You cannot self-diagnose a mental illness; it requires professional assessment, but you can look for potential signs and symptoms and consult a healthcare professional.
Q3. What are the signs and symptoms of mental illness?
Persistent sadness or mood swings, cognitive issues such as difficulty concentrating or confusing thoughts, behavioural changes like social withdrawal or significant changes in sleep and appetite, can be symptoms of mental illness.
Final Thoughts
At CSMC, get your doubts cleared with the help of healthcare professionals. Get help and seek expert guidance on mental health and development issues. Do not hesitate to ask questions and discuss your feelings.
Bring a friend and prepare a list of questions if you have some. Collect your family history of mental illnesses (if any), because mental health conditions can be inherited. Book an appointment and prepare questions beforehand so that you can use time wisely, as most mental health sessions are limited in time.
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