A world-first study from Flinders University has revealed that doomscrolling—habitual checking of disturbing social media stories—negatively affects our perception of humanity and life’s meaning.

Doomscrolling involves spending excessive time scrolling through traumatic news such as shootings, terrorism, and conspiracies, often to the point of addiction. The study shows that this behaviour makes people more suspicious and distrustful of others and leads them to feel that life lacks meaning.

“Doomscrolling can have some dire consequences on our mental health and wellbeing leaving us feeling stress, anxiety, despair and questioning the meaning of life,”

says lead author Mr Reza Shabahang from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work. He explains that negative news on social media acts as a source of vicarious trauma, causing symptoms similar to PTSD, such as anxiety and despair.

The researchers surveyed 800 university students from Iran and the United States to understand the impact of excessive negative news consumption on social media. Participants reported how often they engaged in doomscrolling, their existential anxiety, their belief in the world’s fairness, and their feelings about humanity.

“We wanted to see if there were any connections between doomscrolling and subsequent thoughts and feelings about humankind and the importance of life,”

says Mr. Shabahang.

The study found that doomscrolling is associated with existential anxiety and misanthropy. “When we’re constantly exposed to negative news and information online, it can threaten our beliefs when it comes to our own mortality and the control we have over our own lives. Moreover, doomscrolling can negatively affect how we view the people and world around us,” he says.

Mr Shabahang advises being mindful of online habits and taking breaks from social media.

“We suggest that people pay attention to how much time they are spending on social media and to be aware of the impact it is having on their emotions, thoughts and feelings, especially when it comes to negative news and events,”

he says. He recommends tracking time spent on doomscrolling and reducing it if problematic. “By becoming more aware of our online habits, such as doomscrolling, and taking small steps to address them, it could help with improving our overall mental wellbeing,” he adds.

Learn more about social media and its effects on your mental health here.

Content warning: Mentions of self-harm, suicide, or suicidal thoughts

Written by volunteer Ben White, this blog details his journey through a depressive period, and the strength it took to change his life for the better.

My name is Ben, I am a 28-year-old medical secretary, from London. When it comes to mental health, everyone has a story to tell, whether it be about themselves, a friend, or a family member. Thank you for taking the time to read mine. It happened at a time when I felt invincible and then my world came crashing down around me. I had never felt so down and upset to the level I felt crippled with it. I felt lost and disconnected. It took a long time before I found my way again to being me. Here is my story.

I was 25 at the time, living with my then-partner, of 6 years, in the first house we bought together. I was working as an Events Administrator, whilst trying to establish myself as a sportswriter. I also had aspirations of representing my county at running, whilst undertaking some PA work for a couple of professional boxers and doing some charity work.
I was living my best life, waking up with purpose and ambition, and a dream of making a name for myself, when the path I was on, took an unexpected turn.

My partner and I split up.

I struggled to understand the breakup at the time. In my heart, I believed, I was my best self.  I could not comprehend, how someone would give up on someone who gave their all. However, looking back, I understand this better now. It gave me time to reflect on myself and see things from an outside lens, and at a distance.

I came to realise that when on the inside I saw what I wanted to see, whereas on the outside, I saw what I didn’t want to, but needed to see.

She was my world. But I do not think I truly appreciated her value to me until she was gone. It was all well and good having hobbies and interests, but none were greater than the love I had for her. If only I had let that show. My hobbies and interests were built from the love and belief she had given me. When I lost her, I lost myself. I lost my belief and any purpose I had found.

I became very lonely in the weeks and months that followed the breakup, having lost that feeling of stability and permanency in my life. It would also lead to us losing the first house we bought together. Along with that, I was furloughed from work. Any indication of stability and permanency was swept away.

On the back of these events, I started resenting myself for not being good enough, particularly in regard to the relationship. I thought to myself, “If I am not good enough when I am at my best, then when am I good enough?!”

I felt I was living off instinct but no longer out of willingness. I was still eating, but not regularly and not healthily. I also started to neglect my appearance. All I wanted in life, was to feel wanted, so when I no longer felt that, I no longer felt seen. I no longer had a life that I wanted to progress in. Subsequently, my days and nights would be spent in the same place and in the same way as the night before, sobbing uncontrollably and in the hope I would not wake up when I did eventually fall asleep.

There was one day when I had to go outside for a car MOT. The thoughts of not wanting to be here anymore followed me out the door that day. Thankfully I did not opt for the quick and easy escape, my head so desperately wanted. I lived another day.

It begs the question, if I so clearly did not want to live on, then why did I make living my choice?

I wish I had a concrete answer for you, but this particular moment was not pre-meditated, and passed by so fast, the answer is somewhat unknown. But I do remember thinking to myself afterwards,

“What would my family have done without me? How would they have felt, had I opted the other way?”.

It made me think back to how I felt not good enough when my partner left me. Wouldn’t that make my family feel the same way if I took my life? This made me reflect on how my family have always loved me to the best of their ability and made me feel their love and protection. This did not warrant me taking my life. They brought me up to thrive and be successful, so if they, in all their hardships, did not give up on me, why would I give up on them?

That moment of reflection paved the way for me to rebuild myself. I would not recommend any of you, to give yourself a life ultimatum, nor would I say to you, think of your family and what they went through to raise you. As I appreciate, we are not all blessed with a loving home. However, what I would say to you is this, whatever age you are, see yourself as a project, because you have been working on yourself since the day you were born. You may not see yourself as perfect, but no project is perfect halfway through and your life experiences will refine your skills, in tackling what is to come. You may think to yourself, “But, I don’t want to feel this way any longer.” But what you are looking at now, will not look the same in a few years’ time. What you are feeling now, will not feel the same in a few years’ time. If you are building a bridge, you are not going to look at the bridge mid-project and think “This looks great, this feels great”. You are going to look at it and say, “This bridge is incomplete, it lacks stability but has the ability and potential to be something great.” And you, are exactly the same.

I also learnt that for many days, weeks, and months, I did not give myself time to heal, I only gave myself time to grieve. This meant I was breathing in nothing but negativity because I did not allow myself to see anything other than my own thoughts. When you have heightened emotions, your views can be somewhat distorted. This is because they are moment-driven, like in times when you say things you later regret because they were driven by a moment.

Upon these reflections, I realised the importance of stepping away from my emotions, to gain back some control over my thoughts. I started running again, a sport which had helped me in the past during a difficult time, so I was aware of its power. I knew of its capabilities, and how it produces endorphins, which effectively changes my mood, resulting in a calmer state of mind. This, in turn, lessens the negative energy and internal noise inside of me.

Alongside running itself, I started listening to running podcasts where I found people whose stories I could relate to. This gave me a sense of connection but also helped me in validating and understanding my feelings. By having my feelings validated, it made me feel less alone in my struggles. Whilst hearing how people overcame certain feelings, gave me a source of hope, that I could overcome my own.  The biggest thing I have learnt from listening to these people is the importance of structure and routine in my life.

Thanks to the inspiration I had found in these individuals, they paved the way for me to see the strength in vulnerability, so much so, that I too, wanted to start opening up about my life journey. I have not gone through these events in my life, for them not to be seen or heard. If we share our struggles, we can understand others better, relate to others more, and be kinder to ourselves and those around us.

Writing has become one of my biggest forms of self-expression, I do this in the style of poetry. It allows me to be more expressive and less projective. Poetry has given me a greater sense of control, whilst lightening the burden of emotions I once carried.

When I think of Mental Health, I think of the different perspectives people have of it. I think of the lack of understanding we have as a society, the questions we have and the answers we don’t have, alongside the lack of coping mechanisms out there.

How can we teach what we do not know, how can we understand what we have not learnt? This is why it is crucial we support charities like MQ Health Research, to get these answers.

I cannot say I am “cured” of mental health issues now that I have moved past a difficult time in my life. You know as well as I do, life tests us constantly. However, I do feel more empowered and more equipped than before. I am seen, I am heard and I am me.

If you need help or are worried about someone, you can find help and resources here, or call 116 123 to speak to the Samaritans.

Learn more about exercise and its effects on your mental health here.

People who are lonely are more likely to experience bad dreams. The research highlights a connection between loneliness and sleep disorders, both of which are significant public health concerns linked to higher risks of heart disease, stroke, and premature death.

Oregon State University’s Colin Hesse, a co-author of the study published in the Journal of Psychology, explained that stress is a key factor linking loneliness to both the frequency and intensity of nightmares. Other factors include rumination—worry and anxiety—and hyperarousal, which is described as being overly alert and focused. “Interpersonal relationships are very much a core human need,” said Hesse, adding that loneliness serves as an evolutionary signal alerting individuals that their need for connection is unmet, similar to how hunger signals a lack of calories.

The study, led by Kory Floyd of the University of Arizona, involved surveys of over 1,600 U.S. adults aged 18 to 81. The findings suggest that loneliness is linked to nightmares, although Hesse emphasized that this relationship is correlative rather than causative. Hesse said,

“It’s too early to talk about specific interventions in a concrete sort of way, but our findings are certainly consistent with the possibility that treating loneliness would help lessen someone’s nightmare experiences.”

Hesse also stressed the importance of sleep, noting that “quality restorative sleep is a linchpin for cognitive functioning, mood regulation, metabolism and many other aspects of well-being.” With the U.S. surgeon general reporting that loneliness affects about half of American adults and poses risks on par with smoking, this research adds to the growing understanding of how loneliness can disrupt sleep and overall health.

The research was supported by the Flora Family Fund at Whitworth University.

Learn more about loneliness and its effects on your mental health here.

Around the world, young peoples mental health has been declining over the past two decades and is now entering a dangerous phase, suggests a new Lancet Psychiatry Commission.

It has long been known that 75% of mental illnesses take hold before adulthood. Mental illnesses generally have their peak onset at age 15 and mental ill-health accounts for 45% of the overall burden of disease in people aged 10-24.

However alarming new evidence suggests that the prevalence and impact of mental ill health is steadily increasing. The Surgeon General in the USA, Dr Vivek Murthy has labelled this deteriorating situation a ‘youth mental health crisis’.

Now a new Lancet Commission on young peoples mental health has brought together a group of world experts and people with lived-experience including ten youth commissioners to deliver an analysis of the worldwide state of young people’s mental health.

The Commission is focused not on the traditional dividing lines of children’s mental health (up to 17 years old) or adult mental health (18+) but of 12–25-year-olds. What the Commission calls the ‘emerging adult phase’ which spans adolescence and early adulthood.

They have identified several global megatrends (major, long-lasting societal changes such as environmental, social, economic, political, or technological changes) which are exacerbating psychological distress and intersecting with the transition from adolescence into adulthood. These trends include:

• Unregulated Social media use
• Inaction on Climate Change
• Intergenerational inequality
• Adversity linked to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Rising student debt
• Housing and employment precarity
• Destabilizing political structures around the world

 

 “The youth mental health crisis is of the utmost importance globally, given how dependent societies are on the capacities and contributions of young people. As long as so many emerging adults die prematurely, are consigned to a life of welfare dependency, are denied sufficient respect and nurture, and languish in precarity, society itself will become more precarious. The youth mental health crisis is more than a warning sign, and now might be our last chance to act.”

 

MQ has long been committed to growing the mental health research workforce. For the last 10 years we have invested in our flagship Fellowships programme. However, the percentage of researchers leaving academia straight after completing their PhD may be as high as 70%. In response, we launched the MQ Scholarships Programme to help support the next generation of ground-breaking mental health researchers.  

82 scientists applied to be part of this year’s first cohort and our expert international funding committee chose six projects to support. Of these, one is based in Australia, one in Colombia, one in India, one in Uganda, and two in the UK.

Over the next two years, each researcher will get the support they need to deliver their projects. Not just in terms of the necessary financial backing, but also through critical capacity and career development.

These are the six early career researchers we are pleased to be supporting with this new programme:

This article has been jointly produced by MQ Mental Health Research and Autistica.

 

In a recent opinion piece, published in The Times, writer Matthew Parris asked “Is psychiatry (the study of diagnosis and treatment) a science at all? Does psychology (the study of the mind, and behaviour) deserve the name of science?”

The answer of course, is yes. And here’s why.

Psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience are generally considered the cornerstones of mental health research. As with any science, these three disciplines use observations, experimentation and the testing of hypothesis and theories to pursue knowledge and understanding, and to obtain evidence.

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that studies, diagnoses and treats mental illnesses. Psychology studies the mind, how it functions and affects our behaviour.

Both of these are important scientific disciplines and without them we would not have a range of therapies and interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, anti-psychotic medications or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

 

Stigmas lead to ignorance

The same stigmas that led to previous generations locking people up in asylums or hiding family members with serious mental illnesses out of shame are the same stigmas that have led to a disparity between physical and mental health care.

This disparity leads to ignorance, which results in problematic statements such as this one from the same article; “It follows that ADHD, autism, PTSD or clinical depression are really only words, sanctified only by common usage, not science”

It is important to note that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism are both examples of neurodiversity as opposed to mental illnesses. Autistica, the UK’s leading autism research charity, describe autism as the way some people communicate and experience the world around them.

The latest diagnostic figures reveal that approximately 3% of people in the UK have ADHD, whilst 1-2% of the UK population is autistic. Both autism and ADHD have shared characteristics and overlapping traits, and it is possible to be autistic and have ADHD, which some people refer to as AuDHD.

In many ways, the increase in demand for autism diagnoses is due to an increased public awareness of neurodiversity. As of August 2024, more than 187,567 people across the UK were waiting for an autism diagnosis. Depending on where someone lives, there are significant discrepancies and inconsistencies in diagnostic rates up and down the country. More concerningly, a lack of understanding from a clinician may mean worse health outcomes for an autistic person with a co-occurring condition, with studies showing that about 8 in 10 autistic people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. The Times article seeks to perpetuate the myth that autism is a psychiatric issue and can simply be cured.

Articles that conflate neurodiversity with mental illness lead to misinformation and harmful attitudes towards those who don’t present as neurotypical.

Too many people are aware of autism but don’t necessarily understand autistic people. It is evident that the writer of this article demonstrates a fundamental, if not wilful, lack of understanding of autism and ADHD.

 

So, what’s the real question?

The real frustration that many people have when it comes to our understanding of mental illnesses or the ability to correctly diagnose and effectively treat different conditions is that we are far behind where we should be.

This is not a failure of the discipline, but of the priorities society has set when it comes to dealing with health issues.

For too long, stigmas about mental illness have led society to prioritise physical health over mental health.  But why?

The assumption has historically been that conditions like Major Depressive Disorders, Schizophrenia and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are inevitable, and therefore shouldn’t be investigated thoroughly.

Funders have invested in physical health research over mental health research for so long, that a study by MQ found that just £9 was spent on research per person impacted by mental illness. Research into autism is equally underfunded, with Autistica revealing that just £6.60 is spent on research per autistic person per year. That is in comparison to £228 being spent per person impacted on cancer research.

In the article, the writer suggests that “neuroscience (a real and developing discipline) has yet to determine whether any part of the brain can be identified as “causing” any mental disorder, or “treated” by chemical means.”

This is simply untrue. For example, research from MQ has found that the cortical development of the brain, which is associated with psychosis, can be improved though the consumption of folic acid.

The HOPES study (Help Overcome and Predict the Emergence of Suicide) has found there was a lower surface area of a prefrontal region called the frontal pole in young people who had a history of suicide attempts.

And more recently, MQ research has developed a revolutionary new treatment for Panic Disorder which combines psychological treatment with a blood pressure medication to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks.

Psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience are no longer the only disciplines considered ‘mental health science’. Thanks to the work of MQ to convene the sector over the last ten years, many different disciplines, such as sociology, data science and epidemiology are now working together to find solutions for the 1 in 4 of us impacted by mental ill-health.

 

Without research, it’s just guesswork

Thankfully, the dial is starting to shift. More and more, society is waking up to the importance of investing in research.

The Pandemic seemed to help to change public attitudes in relation to both mental health and neurodiversity. The rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine was only possible due to the years of research that came before it. Governments and policy makers recognised that the same could be true for our mental health, and that future generations could benefit from the investments made today.

Mental health in autistic people is an urgent research priority for organisations such as Autistica. By actively funding ground-breaking research, researchers and medical professionals are better positioned to prove what works and what doesn’t. By 2030, Autistica want to see a yearly tailored health check for autistic people, and proven treatments for anxiety. This evidence will be used to advise and influence key partners to implement proven solutions that change autistic people’s lives.

We do still have far to go to level the playing field between the understanding, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses compared with physical illnesses. But spreading misinformation, poorly thought-out statements, and confusing neurodiversity with mental illness helps no one.

Without research, it’s just guesswork as to what the solutions might be. We must continue to grow investments in research so that everyone can live happy, healthy and productive lives.

 

You can find out more about Autistica here.

Support mental health research here.

New research from the University of Nottingham reveals that the fear of missing out (FoMO) and information overload in digital workplaces are significant risk factors for employee mental health, potentially leading to increased stress and burnout. The study, published in SAGE Open, analyzed survey data from 142 employees to explore the negative impacts of digital working.

Elizabeth Marsh, a PhD student from the School of Psychology who led the study, noted, “The digital workplace is now recognized as a key strategic asset in organizations that enables worker productivity and flexibility in the context of hybrid working. However, the potential downsides in terms of worker well-being also need to be considered, especially given the proliferation of digital communication channels and tools since Covid.”

FoMO in the workplace is defined as anxiety about missing out on important information, updates, or opportunities for interaction. While this term has traditionally been associated with social media, the study shows it is now a significant concern in professional environments. Participants reported that both information overload and the fear of missing out were particularly detrimental to their well-being, directly increasing stress levels related to digital working.

Marsh emphasized,

“The glut of information flowing through channels such as email, intranets, or collaboration tools can lead workers to worry about missing out on it as well as succumbing to overload as they strive to keep up. To help people cope with information overwhelm, serious and sustained attention should be given to both optimizing information management and supporting information literacy.”

The research suggests practical steps for employers, including optimizing the flow of information and investing in practices that support employee well-being. Dr. Alexa Spence, Professor of Psychology, added,

“Consideration of the digital workplace in work and job design is essential to not only employee productivity but also well-being in modern organizations. Where this is lacking, elevated stress and burnout as well as poorer mental health may result.”

The study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Midland Graduate School, underscores the importance of addressing the challenges of digital working to safeguard employee mental health.

Learn more about what MQ is doing to understand burnout and stress in the workplace here.

A new study from the Universities of Bath and Southampton, published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, found that just 10 minutes of daily mindfulness practice can significantly improve wellbeing, reduce depression and anxiety, and motivate people to adopt healthier lifestyles, including better exercise, eating, and sleeping habits.

The study involved 1,247 adults from 91 countries who were new to mindfulness. Participants were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness routine or a control group that listened to excerpts from Alice in Wonderland. The mindfulness group practiced relaxation exercises, intention-setting, body scans, breath-focused attention, and self-reflection for 30 days using the free Medito app.

Results showed that those who practiced mindfulness experienced a 19.2% greater reduction in depression, a 6.9% improvement in wellbeing, a 12.6% decrease in anxiety, a 7.1% increase in positive health attitudes, and a 6.5% increase in intentions to maintain healthy habits compared to the control group. These benefits were largely sustained one month after the trial ended, with participants reporting continued improvements in wellbeing, depression, attitudes, and sleep quality.

Participants shared various benefits from their mindfulness practice, stating: “Awareness, self-control, gratitude, I am more patient, and I take more joy from the present moment,” and “Completing these meditation sessions has given me a better understanding of the function of my mind. They have helped me to gain a better insight on many things and shown me a different lens through which to look at the world.”

Lead researcher Masha Remskar emphasized that

“even short, daily practices of mindfulness can offer benefits, making it a simple yet powerful tool for enhancing mental health.”

She also noted that the study is among the first to link mindfulness practice to healthier lifestyle behaviors, such as improved sleep and stronger intentions to live a healthy life. “Mindfulness builds the psychological skills you need to build healthy habits,” she added.

Dr Ben Ainsworth highlighted the role of digital technology in making mindfulness accessible, stating, “The research underscores how digital technology — in this case, a freely available app — can help people integrate behavioral and psychological techniques into their lives, in a way that suits them.”

Dr Max Western expressed excitement about the potential impact of the study:

“It is exciting to see that such a light-touch, affordable intervention that has the potential to reach a large global audience can have an impact on healthy lifestyle behaviors. It is even more encouraging that these benefits were sustained after the mindfulness course ended, suggesting this practice can help build sustainable habits.”

The study was funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council and conducted in collaboration with the Medito Foundation, a non-profit organization offering a free mindfulness meditation app. While the Foundation developed the app used in the study, it had no involvement in the data collection, analysis, or publication process.

In this blog, MQ volunteer Jonny explains how mindfulness changed his life.

Why do I feel so overwhelmed? Why did I say that embarrassing thing? Is everyone else achieving more than me? What can I actually do to make a difference? Am I the only one feeling this way?

Drawing on her own experience with mental health issues and neurodivergence, in her debut book, MQ Ambassador Gemma Styles gets curious about how we tick in order to better understand and navigate the unique pressures of life today.

In the face of unprecedented levels of loneliness, burnout and insecurity, she explores how we can start to feel more hopeful, connected and at peace with ourselves and each other.

Referencing the insight of experts and brand new research, Why am I like this? shows that by harnessing the power of curiosity and compassion, we can start to feel more hopeful, connected and at peace with ourselves.

An insightful, reassuring roadmap for navigating the unique pressures and anxieties of life today, from the award-winning podcaster and MQ Mental Health Research ambassador, Gemma Styles.

‘An authentic and relatable explanation of the angst we all feel in our always-on lives. Gemma demystifies mental health and helps us feel less alone in our daily struggles.’ BRYONY GORDON

Why am I like this is available to pre-order now and will be on sale from the 12th of September. You can also join Gemma for a live Q&A this coming Sunday the 8th of September. Book your ticket here, a portion of which will be donated to MQ!

It can be difficult to know how to advocate for yourself in a doctor’s appointment. I’ve been faced with this for years, and I still sometimes find it difficult. However, forming a patient-doctor alliance where you work together is part of a comprehensive wellness plan. In order to participate in this, you must be able to advocate for your own needs and wants. Here’s how to advocate for yourself in a doctor’s appointment.

Why Is It So Hard to Advocate for Yourself in a Doctor’s Appointment?

There are many reasons why it’s hard to advocate for yourself in front of a doctor. Sometimes, it’s related to the doctor, sometimes the patient, and sometimes the situation.

Of course, some doctors are harder to advocate in front of than others. Some doctors have an old-school mindset wherein the doctor is a paternal figure. In other words, they are the parent and the patient is the child. The child then simply does what the parent says without question.

This is the way doctor-patient interactions used to be. Obviously, doctors like that are less receptive to you advocating for your own mental health. Most doctors realize this isn’t the best way anymore, however.

In other cases, some patients just have a really hard time standing up for themselves, period. No matter the doctor or the situation, the patient just won’t speak up. This might be because the person is acutely ill with something like depression or extreme anxiety, or it might just be an individual’s personality.

Finally, sometimes, the situation itself breeds an inability to advocate for yourself in a doctor’s appointment. For example, if you don’t know what you want or you don’t know enough about the reason you’re being treated, it can be impossible to know how to advocate for yourself in a doctor’s appointment.

Why You Need to Know How to Advocate for Yourself in a Doctor’s Appointment

It’s not just about standing up for yourself; it’s actually about an improved prognosis. When you have a better doctor-patient relationship, your likely outcome actually improves. See here:

In the literature, much of the weight is placed on the doctor to make this happen, and that’s fair as they are the professionals, but as two people make up a relationship, I would suggest that patients bear some responsibility, too.

What You Need to Know to Advocate for Yourself in a Doctor’s Appointment

There are fundamental things you need to understand before discussing how to advocate for yourself in a doctor’s appointment. These include:

Tips for How to Advocate for Yourself in a Doctor’s Appointment

Here are some tips for how to advocate for yourself in a doctor’s appointment:

• Review the factors that may be standing in your way (e.g., knowledge, anxiety, etc.). Make a plan for how to overcome those barriers.
• Consider what you want out of your doctor’s appointment. Why are you attending? What are your goals? What do you need to communicate? What information do you need from them?
• Write down everything you need to consider during an appointment ahead of time. (This might include appointment goals, questions, information about side effects, etc.) Take that information with you. (It’s common to forget these things in front of a doctor without a reminder.)
• Consider bringing someone to your appointment to help advocate for you. Sometimes, it’s easier to stand up for ourselves with backup in the room. Or, sometimes, another person can advocate for us more effectively than we can,
• Be upfront with your doctor during your appointment. Make sure your doctor knows what you need. There can’t be a successful alliance with you without your active participation.
• Make your doctor write down their recommendations in your chart — especially if you don’t agree with them. For example, if you feel you need a test and your doctor won’t order it, tell your doctor you want them to write that in your chart. If your doctor is unreasonably denying you a test, they will often relent if they think there will be a written record of it.

What If Your Doctor Doesn’t Listen to You?

Unfortunately, sometimes, no matter how good a job you do advocating for yourself, some doctors just won’t listen, are unreasonable, or seemingly don’t have any interest in a positive doctor-patient relationship. If you’ve tried your best and the relationship isn’t working, get a referral to someone else. Your doctor is not doing you a favor by treating you; your doctor is, in fact, working for you. You have the right to fire them if they aren’t earning their money. (Yes, I know that’s not always possible. But it’s worth doing it in any way you can.)

No matter what, though, keep advocating for yourself and your health. You’re the one who has to live with your health and your treatment — not your doctor.

Image by Flickr user Vic.

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