Getting an accurate diagnosis is a huge part of managing any medical issue.
But so often, we’re so bound up in our pain that we aren’t able to communicate the full extent of our condition. This can result in a dismissive interaction where you feel your concerns are not being taken seriously.
This matters doubly for mental illnesses.
We can’t just get an X-ray or an eye exam. Our symptoms are personal. So our communication should be as well.
One way to help get the message across is to not just describe the symptoms, but how they impact our days.
For a physical ailment, the conversation might change from:
“My back hurts when I sit down”
to
“My back hurts when I sit down.
It is making my life
difficult. I can’t work at my desk, or drive to the shops, or play video games, or watch TV.”
The second option lets your doctor relate to your condition on a human level. They can empathise with your needs more clearly, which gives them the drive to go the distance on your behalf.
The same approach applies with mental issues.
Make
sure your doctor knows the full impact that your illness is having on
your life.
“I feel sad or empty for days at a time”
to
“
I feel sad or empty for days at a time. I’m worried it’s stopping me from getting my work done, enjoying my time off, and that it’s driving me away from family and friends.”
Don’t hold back for fear of being seen as weak.
You’re getting help. That takes guts.