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Visiting your doctor
Doctors are there for us whenever we need help - we just need to ask! But it’s normal to sometimes feel nervous or scared about seeing a doctor. This page is full of questions that young people have asked Doctor Ranj. Check out his tips and advice.
dr ranj answers your questions
Making appointments
Lots of young people see their doctor because they're worried about something, are feeling unwell or need treatment. You can visit your doctor at any age, about any issue to do with your physical or mental health.
Can I see a doctor by myself?
Yes, GP surgeries will usually let you make an appointment to see your GP by yourself. If you’re worried about your parents or carers finding out about what you’ve said, you can talk to your doctor about this while you’re at the appointment.
Your doctor can tell you what they would need to pass on, and whether your parents or carers will be able to see what you’ve told them.
You should always go to see your doctor if you’re worried about your health or wellbeing. If your doctor is worried about your safety, there may be times when they talk to you about the best way to get you support.
How do I get a doctor?
If you’re over the age of 16, you can register with a GP by yourself. You can find a list of local GP’s in your area on the NHS website. If they are accepting new patients, they will ask you to fill in a registration form. Some GP’s also ask to see a proof of identity like a passport or proof of address like a mobile phone bill.
If you’re under the age of 16, your parents or carers should register you at a doctor’s surgery, but it doesn’t have to be same one as them or the rest of your family. If you don't want your parents to know, you can still register by yourself but you might be asked some questions to make sure you're okay.
How do I make an appointment?
You can make an appointment by calling your GP surgery and speaking to the receptionist or going there in person. The receptionist will probably ask you who the appointment is for and why. This is to make sure that you see the right person at the right time.
Some surgeries now allow you to book an appointment online. You may have to register first, so call or visit the practice to find out how to do this.
If it’s something personal then you don’t have to tell them why - just say it’s for something personal. You can also ask to see a male or female doctor if this would make you feel more comfortable.
Can I make appointments without speaking to someone?
If you’re struggling with anxiety or feeling worried, try explaining this when you make the appointment to see if they can help in any way.
Also, perhaps try to take a trusted friend or family member with you for support.
It can take a while to build yourself up to seeing someone, but it’s so important because then you’ll be able to get help to feel better.
Check out the DocReady website which has great tips on preparing yourself for a GP appointment.
If you're feeling nervous or stressed, take a look at our anxiety and stress page for ways to cope.
What happens if I don’t like my doctor?
Most doctors are great at their job and care about their patients a lot.
But, there are times when people either don’t get on with or feel uncomfortable with their doctor. You can always ask to see someone else. You may not be able to do this straight away and might have to wait for another appointment, so it’s better to say as early as possible.
If you're not happy with your care or treatment, you can make a complaint.
What will happen at my appointment?
Your appointment with the doctor will usually last for up to 10 minutes in a confidential room.
During the appointment, you’ll be asked questions about why you’ve come in and how you’ve been feeling.
Your doctor might ask you some questions about what’s happening. This is to help them think about what’s going on and how they can support you.
You can ask any questions you want at your appointment. If you’re worried you might not remember everything, try writing a list of any questions you have. It can also help to write down anything you want to tell the doctor to help you remember.
Get tips from the NHS on what to ask your doctor.
Self-harm, suicidal feelings and mental health
What happens if I say I have a mental health issue?
Your doctor should talk to you about how you’re feeling to try to work out what is going on. They might ask you lots of questions about your medical history and some of them may be quite personal. That’s so that they can work out what the problem is and how to help you. Then they can recommend what treatment might be best for you.
Having a mental health problem doesn’t always mean things are bad or that everyone needs to know. Talking to your doctor is important to make sure you get help. Lots of people experience mental health issues and many of them will get better with help and lead perfectly normal lives.
Should I tell a doctor that I self-harm?
So many young people self-harm and never tell anyone. So they never get the help they need and they suffer in silence when they don’t need to. That’s why it’s important to speak up. You should be able to talk to your doctor about anything.
Would the doctor tell my parents?
Don’t worry, what you say is kept between you and your doctor, unless you ask them to tell someone. They are only allowed to tell someone else if your safety or the safety of someone else is at risk. And they should talk to you before doing so. Remember, confidentiality is only broken when a doctor thinks it’s the right thing for you and to keep you safe.
If I tell a doctor I'm feeling suicidal, will I have to go to hospital?
Not necessarily, but if you're feeling suicidal or having suicidal thoughts you should speak to someone about it as soon as possible. That doesn’t have to be your doctor. It could be a school teacher, Childline counsellor or someone you trust. If you go to see a doctor, they will ask you questions to work out how bad things are.
Sometimes, you will need to be referred to hospital or to a mental health team for a more thorough assessment, especially if they are worried about you. Being referred to hospital doesn’t always mean you’ll have to stay in hospital. But the fact that you’re thinking about suicide means things have got quite serious. You need to get help to make sure you’re safe and get treatment to feel better.
What if I don’t know what to say?
Your doctor should ask you lots of questions to help them get all of the information they need. But it can be hard to remember everything.
It can help to make a list of everything that’s been happening and for how long. Sites like DocReady can help you to make sure you don’t forget anything.
Will I get sectioned?
It can feel scary getting help if you’re worried you might have a mental health problem. Mental health YouTuber Laura Lejeune chats to us about her own experiences.
TRIGGER WARNING: Self harm is discussed in this video.
talking about private stuff
If I tell my doctor something private, will they tell anyone else?
Anything you say to your doctor must be kept between the two of you, unless you agree otherwise. It might help to ask if they are going to tell anyone just to make sure. If they do, then they should ask your permission first, unless you are in danger or at risk of harm.
They might encourage you to tell someone like your parent or carer, or they can speak to them for you if you would prefer that. This is because sometimes it’s important for those looking after you to know what’s going on, as they may be able to help or support you.
The only time a doctor can speak to someone else about you without your permission is when there is a danger that your safety or someone else’s safety might be at risk. That doesn’t always mean that they tell your parent or carer, but they may want to speak to other people like the police or social services. In these cases, they should try to tell you first so you know what’s going on.
How to register to see a doctor without family knowing
Every child, young person or adult has to be registered with a doctor. This is to make sure you get all the care that you need. And that someone can make sure you’re okay. This is important if you need long-term treatment or follow-up. If you want to find out how to register then go to the NHS website.
Anyone can make an appointment to see a doctor, no matter how old they are. But if you’re under 16, you may be asked if anyone knows you are registering with the doctor. This is mainly to make sure that you’re safe. If you don’t want others to know that you’ve seen a doctor, then you don’t have to tell anyone, but it may be important to do so. If you’re worried about your family’s reactions then speak to the doctor who you see as they may be able to help.
If you’re not registered then you can still see a doctor, but they will suggest that you get registered. If you need to see someone in an emergency then you can always try to get an emergency appointment, or see a doctor in A&E (Accidents and emergencies department).
If my parents won't let me go to a doctor alone
You have the right to see a doctor by yourself if you want. You could speak to your doctor’s surgery directly to see if you can make an appointment to see someone by yourself. They may ask you why you want to be seen alone. You don’t have to go into detail, but it’s important to be as open and honest as you can to make sure you’re seen by the right person. If you’re finding this difficult, you could speak to a teacher at school or the school nurse to see if they can help or arrange an appointment for you.
If I’m not comfortable with my parents knowing
You don’t have to tell anyone else that you’ve seen a doctor and everything you say will be kept confidential. But it may be important for others to be involved in your care (such as your parents or carers) so that they know what is going on and can help. So have a think about this and talk to your doctor about it. They may be able to talk to others for you if you find it difficult, and can offer them support if they need it too.
When would a doctor call social services, police or tell parents?
Everything that’s said between a doctor and patient is protected by something called confidentiality. This means they can’t share it with anyone else, unless you’ve given them permission to do so. And they should explain why they would need to. But, there are some rare situations when confidentiality has to be broken. Your doctor should explain this to you and you should be able to ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.
Will talking to a doctor affect my medical history and career opportunities?
Your medical history is confidential and kept between you and your doctor. That confidentiality is only broken in very specific situations, otherwise they need permission to share your information. If an employer wants medical information about you then they need to ask your permission before contacting your doctor. But, remember that it may be important that your employer knows if you have serious health issues, in case they can help you or you need time off for any treatment.
Wetting the bed and other problems
Bowel and bladder problems can be embarrassing, so people don't like talking about them. Lots of young people have wee or poo accidents or find it hard to do a poo. It can feel like you’re the only one, but it’s actually quite common.
In the UK, nearly one million young people aged 5-19 have a continence condition (difficulty controlling wee and poo). So the chances are, there are other people at your school or college who have the same problem, but you just don't know who they are.
The good news is, you can do something about your problem, and help is available. ERIC, The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity has lots of information on their website for:
- children and teenagers about bowel problems (constipation and soiling)
- enuresis (wetting during the day) and
- nocturnal enuresis (wetting at night)
If you or someone else is worried, ERIC runs a helpline for anyone to talk confidentially about your problem and how you're feeling. You can email the helpline at [email protected] or call 0845 370 8008 (calls cost 9.6p per minute plus the connection charge).
Remember it's important to see your GP or school nurse about your problem as soon as possible. The sooner you get help, the easier it will be to sort it out and you’ll stop it from getting more serious.
Can you talk to a doctor about someone else?
You can talk to a doctor about yourself or someone you're worried about. This is especially important if you think they might be in danger, unsafe or very ill. You might be asked to encourage them to get help, or if it’s serious they can try to get them help directly. If it’s a friend, then you could talk to them to see if you going to the doctor’s with them might help.
How would a doctor test for pregnancy?
Firstly, a doctor needs a good reason to test you for pregnancy. For example, if you’re having symptoms of pregnancy. So don’t worry about being tested unnecessarily. Also they should ask your permission to do so (or at least let you know why it’s important). Then it’s a quick urine test and you should get the result in a few minutes. If this isn’t suitable then you may occasionally be referred for a scan or blood tests. Each situation is different but your doctor should explain things to you so you understand.
Watch: What happens when you see a doctor
Other sites that can help:
Doc Ready can help you prepare for seeing a doctor and talking about mental health.
The NHS website has info on finding a doctor, booking an appointment and how to complain.
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