Putting it All Together - Talking to Your Doctor

Let's face it - life gets way more complex when you become a teen. That's true of your family life and your social life. And taking care of your body can get more complicated, too. Maybe all your friends seem to be changing at different speeds. It can bother you if you're developing later or earlier than others.

New concerns and worries pop up, too. Sometimes with new freedoms come new stresses - from friends, school, sports, jobs, and family. There might be times you feel more depressed or angry than you used to. And there are more opportunities to become tempted by things that are harmful to you, such as drinking, smoking, and drugs. New sexual feelings and behaviors can be confusing, too - and sometimes even dangerous. Maybe you never had to think about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy before.

So who can you talk to about these emotional and physical changes? Or about the new problems you have to face or the concerns you may have? Lots of teens have been talking to their parents about these types of issues for years. Some teens who didn't talk to their parents in the past may feel more comfortable talking about these issues now that they're a bit older. Some teens, though, just don't feel that they can talk to their parents because they don't feel their parents would understand or sympathize.

Besides your parents, who can you talk to? Well, there's your best friend, of course. But sometimes you'll need more than your best friend's advice to stay healthy. That's why being able to communicate with your doctor becomes an important skill.

Why Do I Need to Communicate With My Doctor?

Now that you're getting older, you may want to - or be expected to - assume more responsibility for your health. Whereas in the past your parents probably took care of things like scheduling appointments, getting prescriptions, and taking medication on time, it's natural for teens to gradually become responsible for these activities. As you take them on, it's important that you learn as much as possible about your body and any health problems you may have. Your best resource for information, advice, and - if you need it - treatment, is your doctor - the person who knows you, your medical history, and lots of accurate medical information to answer your questions.

"There's nothing you can't talk to your doctor about," says Kim Paterson, MD, a doctor in Media, Pennsylvania. "You're entitled to ask questions and voice concerns without feeling stupid, embarrassed, or judged in any way. If they can't help you, they'll find you the right person or resource who can."

But talking to your doctor or other health care provider can be scary at first - even for adults. Being examined and questioned about something as personal as your body can be a bit scary, especially if the doctor needs to examine you in "private" places like the breasts or genitals. But overcoming these fears is an important part of becoming an adult and taking charge of your health throughout your life.

Questions for the Doctor

When you go to the doctor, you're probably used to being asked questions. But you have the right to ask questions, too. And, in fact, you should ask them about anything you'd like. That's one of the reasons you're there. Here's a list of questions to help you start conversations about common health problems and concerns. Feel free to print them out and bring them to your doctor's visits. You don't have to ask all of them - or even any of them - but you can.

For establishing open communication with your doctor:

*Will you keep any information I give you confidential?

*Is it OK for me to see you without my parents in the room?

*If I need to, can I see you without my parents knowing?

*For an illness or symptom:

*What's wrong with me?

*Can you draw me a picture or show me what's wrong?

*What causes this type of problem?

*Is this serious?

*Can I give this illness to someone else, and if so, how and for how long?

*Are there any activities or foods I should avoid until I'm better?

*When can I return to school or work?

*How can I prevent this from happening again?

For medications:

*What does this medicine do?

*What will happen if I don't take it?

*What are the side effects?

*How long should I take it?

*What if I accidentally miss a dose?

*If I don't notice any improvement, how long should I wait before calling you?

For tests and treatments:

*Why is this test needed?

*Are there any risks involved?

*What will happen if I don't get the test?

*Will it hurt? If so, is there anything we can do to lessen the pain?

*Can you perform the test or treatment in your office, or will I need to go to a lab?

*What are the side effects?

*How should I prepare for tests or treatment?

*What should I report to you?

Reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
Date reviewed: April 2001