Patient education
Talking about mental health with your doctor
· Dr James Tataw Ashu · Medically reviewed
Naming symptoms, duration and impact gives a clinician far more to work with than a general statement of distress.
Mental health remains under-discussed in consultations, and in many communities it carries stigma that delays care by years.
Describe three things: the symptoms, how long they have lasted, and what they stop you doing. Impact on function is often the most useful information for a clinician.
Physical symptoms are legitimate presentations. Sleep disturbance, fatigue, appetite change and unexplained pain are frequently how distress first appears.
Ask about the options, which typically include talking therapy, medication, or both, and about waiting times, which differ considerably between countries.
If you have thoughts of harming yourself, say so directly and seek urgent help. Emergency services in your current location are the right first contact.
This article is general education. It does not constitute individual medical advice and does not create a doctor–patient relationship. For emergencies, contact the emergency services in your current location.
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