Treatment and Recovery Part 4: Getting Health Care

If you possibly can, see a primary physician first. He or she can help you find out if the symptoms you are experiencing are caused by another medical condition, such as a thyroid problem or hormone imbalance. In addition, a primary care physician is often your best source of referral for other kinds of help, such as locating a suitable psychiatrist, therapist, or arranging for hospitalization if necessary. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will feel better.

It is usually easier to go to the doctor if you take along a close family member or good friend. This advocate can help you remember what the doctor suggests, and can take notes for you if you like.

When you go to see your health care provider, bring a complete list of all medications you are taking or have taken in the recent past, and discuss any types of self-treatment you have engaged in. Also make a note to carry with you about any unusual, uncomfortable, or painful physical or emotional symptoms you have experienced, even if the symptom does not really seem like a big deal to you-sometimes details like this can be the missing link to a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment! For more tips on how to prepare for your appointment, read Breaking Down the Communication Barrier Between Psychiatrists and Patients. Also describe any difficult issues in your life-both things that are going on now and things that have happened in the past-that may be affecting the way you feel. This will help the doctor give you the best possible advice on what you can do to help yourself.

YOUR HEALTH CARE RIGHTS

Your doctor is providing a service for you, just like the person who installs your telephone or fixes your car. The only difference is the doctor's services require experience and expertise in dealing with something far more important: your health! Your health care provider should:

• listen carefully to everything you say and answer your questions.
• be hopeful and encouraging.
• plan your treatment based on what you want and need.
• teach you how to help yourself.
• know about and be willing to try new or different ways of helping you feel better.
• be willing, with your permission, to talk with other health care professionals, your family members, and friends about your health issues and what can be done to alleviate the symptoms.

In addition to your personal rights, discussed in Part 2, your health care rights also include the right to-

• decide for yourself which treatments are acceptable to you and which are not.
• a second opinion without being penalized.
• change health care providers (this right may be limited by some health care plans)
• have the person(s) of your choice with you when you are seeing your doctor.