How to Talk to a Doctor About Mental Health

Talking to your doctor about your mental health can feel scary, but it’s a vital step towards understanding and getting help. Many people hesitate to bring up concerns about their mental well-being due to stigma, uncertainty about how to express their feelings, or fear of being dismissed. However, doctors are trained to address mental health just as they would any other medical issue. In this blog, you can find tips on how to talk to your doctor, and what you can expect from the process. 

How to Start the Conversation with Your Doctor 

Before your appointment, take a few minutes to write down key points about your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to discuss with your doctor. When you first start explaining, you may feel rushed, tongue-tied and not sure where to begin. Just start talking and it will flow out of you. Sometimes, it’s easier to say how someone close to you might describe you. For example: 

“My mom thinks I sleep too much during the day and I cannot sleep at night. She is worried that I’m down all the time.” 

“My roommate tells me that my nightmares are really bad, and I worry too much.” 

Even if your doctor does not ask, bring up your own questions and/or concerns to take control of your mental health. Ask questions like: 

• What are the most important things I can do to feel better? 
• What are my mental health treatment options? 
• How often or regularly will I be seen? 
• How long will treatment last? 
• If medication is prescribed, what is the medicine designed to do? 
• How fast will the prescribed medicine work? 
• What are some possible side effects of the treatment? 
• When should I come back? 

Mental Health Symptoms to Share with Your Doctor 

Often times, it can be difficult to know what to tell your doctor. Start by sharing: 

Shifts in Thinking 

Thoughts such as “I can’t seem to focus on reading or computer games like I used to,” “I can’t remember details lately,” “I think that people talk about me worse than ever.” Mention also if you’re having thoughts, you can’t slow down or turn off. 

Emotional Changes 

Feelings/emotions like “I don’t care about things like I used to,” “I feel numb most of the time,” or “I am sad every day.” Notice also if you feel irritated by the smallest things, or if you experience mood swings that come from nowhere, happy one minute and very upset the next. 

Behavioural Signs 

Behaviours such as “I can’t get out of bed in the morning,” “I’m failing my classes,” “I’m missing work,” or “I cannot get to sleep.” Notice also if you’re eating all the time, or if you find that you cannot be alone, or only want to be alone. Changes in habits are also important, such as no longer exercising or playing sports, or not caring about your apartment or your appearance. Tell your doctor if statements like “I’m smoking pot to take the edge off every day now,” or “I’m doing heavy drugs like MDMA or cocaine” apply to you. 

How to Communicate Clearly with Your Doctor 

Sometimes it’s a challenge to get out all the important information about your symptoms. To ensure that you explain yourself well, we recommend following these communication tips: 

1. Stay on Track 

When you start talking, the doctor may interrupt your train of thought and ask questions related to your mental health. If you feel the need, stress how important it is for you to go back to the point you were making. 

2. Share Important Life Changes 

It will help your doctor to know if anything has changed in your life. Things to share include: my dog died a month ago, I was arrested for assault, I broke up with my girlfriend a few weeks ago, I’m thinking of dropping out of school, I got fired from my job and I can’t find another one. 

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About Sensitive Health Topics 

Be honest and trust your doctor with your touchy topics. Talk about the dark feelings, thoughts you’ve been having or things you have been doing. Some people harm themselves as a way to try to feel something. Disclose this to your doctor. 

Have you been using any street drugs? You may feel uneasy, but your doctor’s seen it all before, and is not here to judge. Doctors have taken an oath to help their patients and are committed to respectful and ethical care. Your doctor will want to know of your drug use because, for certain people, drugs can cause symptoms that look like mental illness. 

4. Ask Questions Until You Understand 

If you feel your doctor has not fully understood you, slow him/her down and explain yourself again. Ask for explanations, or if you are not sure what your doctor is talking about, ask them to slow down or clarify what they mean. Say: “I’m not sure what you are saying”, or “Can you tell me that again?”.  

Ask for the name of what he/she thinks your condition may be. This can be difficult to hear. Remember that you are more than a diagnosis. The diagnosis is part of you at this time and directs the treatment the doctor will recommend. 

Remember That Asking for Help Takes Courage 

Your doctor may not realize or acknowledge the incredible effort and courage it took for you to reach out and explain your situations to him/her. Know that it was a courageous thing to do anyway. Seeking professional support can provide you with guidance, coping strategies, and emotional relief. By reaching out, you are giving yourself the opportunity to access the care and resources that can make a difference.