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Knowing
how to talk to your doctor and other members of your health care team
can help you build a collaborative relationship with them.
Your doctor needs
information from you to make an accurate diagnosis and determine treatment.
There are no lab tests for mood disorders. You need to let your doctor
know you want thorough information from him. That's more likely to happen
if you've established a mutually respectful partnership.
It's always a good
idea to be an informed consumer. But to get off on the right foot, it's
best not to step on toes. Do-it-yourself diagnosis or armchair prescribing
may not be appreciated. Your doctor relies on his/her experience treating
people with varied symptoms who respond to treatment in different ways.
After you've established a relationship, your doctor may welcome your
input.
If you arrive at your visits prepared, you can both get the most benefit
from them. Time is usually short. Information you can bring with you about
your symptoms, background and life situations can be invaluable.
Here are some things
you can provide at your visits to make the most of them.
At your initial visit
- A description of
your symptoms - when they started, what makes them better, how often
you've experienced them. If you know, tell what seems to set them off.
- A list of family
members who have had mental health problems. Family history provides
important clues in diagnosing mood disorders.
- An overview of
your past psychiatric treatment, including medications and psychotherapy.
Which meds worked, which didn't, and what side effects were troublesome.
- Medical history
and any medical conditions you are currently being treated for. Tell
your doctor or nurse if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
- A list of your
medications: prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins,
herbal products, and other supplements you're taking. Don't forget to
include contraceptives. And tell the doctor if you have any allergies.
- Honest information
about your diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol or drug use, and
sexual history. Withholding this information can be harmful.
- Relevant life factors,
such as past or current abuse or stressful lifestyle
- A notepad or tape
recorder if you're worried you'll forget later what was discussed
- A trusted friend
or relative who could take notes, offer moral support, and help you
remember what was discussed. Your doctor may or may not permit this.
- Your questions.
If you're not clear about what your doctor or nurse is asking you to
do or why, ask to have it explained again. "Can you help me understand
that?"
At subsequent visits
Questions and concerns. Before your appointment, make a list of what you
want to ask. |
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 Answers
to questions. Do you feel better or worse? What symptoms and side effects
have you experienced? Your doctor may ask you to rate on a scale of
one to 10. Have you taken your medication on schedule? It's difficult
to remember between visits. Keeping a mood
chart or notes on a calendar will make it easier to keep track. - Information. Have
there been significant changes in your life. (You may discuss this topic
in more detail with a therapist.)
- Patience. Doctors
are often pressed for time. Your discussion may not be as long as other
of you would prefer. You may want to ask to set up another time when
you can discuss an issue more extensively.
Questions to ask your doctor about
medications
- What is the name
of the medication, brand and generic names and what is it supposed to
do?
- Is there a generic
brand of the drug you can use? You can also ask this of your pharmacist.
- When should I start
to feel better?
- How and when do
I take it, and when do I stop taking it? Ask what the usual dose is;
what to do if you miss a dose and special directions on how to use the
medicine, such as whether to take it with or without food
- What foods, drinks,
herbs, supplements or other medications should I avoid while taking
the prescribed medication?
- What are the side
effects, and what should I do if they occur? Are there side effects
that typically go away after a few days or weeks? What side effects
should I notify him of immediately?
- Will I need any
tests to make sure the medicine is working as it should? For example,
regular blood tests are used to measure levels of lithium.
Do your homework on
medications. Be respectful of your doctor's position, but feel free to
ask questions. The doctor may be choosing this medication over others
because of his experience with the drugs and your particular condition.
Decisions about medications should include your input, especially if you
are experiencing side effects and you want to make a change.
The most effective
and comfortable relation between doctor and patient is a partnership.
Sources
The National Women's Health Information Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
PsychEducation.org
by Jim Phelps, MD
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