How to talk to your GP about your mental health
Admitting that you’re struggling with your mental health can feel like one of the hardest things you’ll ever do.
Coming to terms with not being well is scary. It’s even more terrifying to be vulnerable and ask for help.
Talking to your GP about what to do next can be even more terrifying. Trust me, I know.
You worry that your concerns will be dismissed. You imagine what your doctor could say on a constant loop in your head. You picture yourself breaking down in front of a professional you hardly know, or failing to meet the criteria for getting help.
And you worry about what to say.
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Are you supposed to google a checklist and make sure you’re ticking things off? Will you get dismissed if you cry? Will your GP not take you seriously unless you seem absolutely devastated?
The silence around the process doesn’t help to reduce these fears. We have no idea what to expect when we head into a GP appointment, leaving us to picture the worst.
That’s why Mind’s new Find the Words campaign is so important.
Their new initiative is all about advising people on how to have a conversation about mental health with their GP, preparing those in need of help for the questions they’re likely to be asked, the recommendations a GP may make, and guiding them through taking the difficult first step in feeling better.
When you should talk to your GP
Talk to your GP when you’re experiencing issues with your mental health that go on for longer than a day.
If you’re worrying more, no longer enjoying things you used to, finding it difficult to sleep, or having any thoughts or feelings that are negatively affecting your life, and that you’re finding it difficult to deal with, make an appointment with your GP.
You don’t need to worry that you’re not struggling ‘enough’ to deserve a GP appointment, or that your issues aren’t worth a doctor’s time. If you’re finding things difficult, you’re allowed to go to a doctor and expect to get support.
How to make an appointment with your GP
Call your doctor’s office and make an appointment the same way you would for any other health issue. You don’t have to do it in a particular way (because mental health is just as important as physical health, remember?), and you don’t have to tell the receptionist what your appointment is regarding.
If you’re feeling nervous and have a lot of things to say, it’s a good idea to ask for a longer appointment. You’ll need to do this when you make the initial call, but again, you don’t have to explain why or justify needing a little longer.
How to prepare for the appointment
Mind recommends writing down what you need to say so you have it worked out before you head to the doctor’s office. It’ll help you feel a little more confident in your responses to questions.
They suggest noting down the answers to the following questions, which are likely to be asked by a GP.
Try writing down answers to these questions:
- How have you been feeling lately?
- Has anything happened or changed in your life recently?
- Are you eating normally?
- How are you sleeping?
Don’t worry, you don’t need to rehearse your answers or make them perfect. You can even bring in your written answers if you’d find that helpful.
It’s just about easing your mind a bit by making you feel a bit more prepared.
What to say to your GP
1. Don’t worry about fitting a certain diagnosis or ticking off symptoms. It’s much better to be honest about how you’re actually feeling, and what you’ve been experiencing day to day.
2. Don’t feel like you need to play things up or down to get the help you need. Your doctor isn’t trying to catch you out and prevent you from getting the help that you need – they’ll just be listening to what you’re saying to work out the best steps to take.
3. Be clear about what’s been happening in your life. If your mental health issues are a result of personal change, that’s completely fine to say, and it’ll help your doctor get a better idea of how you’re feeling.
4. You don’t have to use technical language. Don’t worry about having to use proper medical and psychological terms. Just say what you’ve been feeling in a way that feels natural to you.
5. Start by saying why you’ve come to see the doctor, what you’re going through, and what you’d like from them. That’s the main thing. Your doctor will then ask any follow-up questions needed.
What to expect during the appointment
1. Your doctor will ask why you’ve come in, and should then listen to whatever you have to say.
2. You might cry, and that’s okay. My doctor told me that most people who come in to chat about mental health cry because of the release of all the emotions that have been building up. It’s totally normal, your doctor has seen it before, and they won’t be horrified.
3. Getting personal is okay. I know, I know, it feels weird to spill things you’ve been keeping a secret to someone you likely only interact with when you’ve got the flu or need a top-up on medication. But remember that your GP won’t judge you for what you say. Anything that’ll shed light on what you’re going through is worth mentioning.
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4. You’ll be asked some follow-up questions. After you’ve explained what’s going on, your doctor will ask you a few quick-fire questions to establish what symptoms you’re experiencing. Expect questions about your sleep, how your mental health issues are affecting your life, and whether you’ve ever thought about hurting yourself.
5. Your doctor will then make recommendations for what to do next. They might prescribe medication and/or refer you for therapy. It’s completely okay for you to ask questions about what you should be doing next, what type of medication they’re recommending (and how it works), or question something they’ve suggested.
6. After the appointment, you’ll feel really positive. Talking to someone about something you’ve been struggling with alone is an incredible release. And knowing you’ve taken the first step to feeling better? That’s incredible.
For more information, advice and support about mental health, have a look at Mind’s Find the Words campaign or call their confidential Infoline, available on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am – 6pm, Monday – Friday).
Mind is also campaigning to improve mental health training for all trainee GPs. Please sign their petition if you want all our doctors to be better prepared to help people through mental health issues.
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