Look Inside Young Adult Road Map

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Guiding Star Point four: Manage Information
Don’t Be
Embarrassed
to Speak Up
Some people find it especially
embarrassing or difficult to talk to a
doctor or nurse about certain medical
conditions, such as:
l Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),
which are diseases spread by sexual
contact with others
l Herpes (a type of painful blister on
the mouth or sexual organs, spread
by contact with others)
l Body odors, including bad breath
l Objects stuck in any part of the body
Medical providers see people with
these conditions all the time. They can
treat problems before they get worse
or cause other issues. Remember, your
provider’s job is to keep you healthy.
Just give the facts and ask about your
options for treatment.
Part Four: Share
You can bring the doctor, nurse, or other provider
up-to-date by showing the charts mentioned above
at each appointment. Keep all the charts for a year
in your binder. Without much effort on your part, your
provider(s) will have a detailed record of your progress.
If you would rather not show your notes to a provider, make a written list of points you
want to discuss about your progress. For example, you might want to discuss certain side
effects, such as trouble sleeping or loss of appetite. Add any questions to this list. Don’t
forget to ask about words you don’t understand or parts of the treatment plan that don’t
seem clear to you.
Your treatment plan is about you. Honesty with the provider is honesty with yourself. Some
people feel shame because they have some form of disability or have experienced some
type of trauma. Shame becomes another burden to carry around. When it keeps you
from being honest with a provider about what’s happening during treatment, the power
of shame grows. For example, if you think a medication is causing sexual dysfunction
(difficulty during sexual activities that are typical for you), share that with the provider who
prescribes that medication.
Consider: When you look back in your binder, journal, worksheets, or other records of
treatment, what differences have occurred since you started the treatment plan? Do your
friends and family notice differences? These details should also be part of your record.
Keeping an Eye on “The Big Picture”
Even the best providers can sometimes lose track of “The Big Picture” of what you want
for your everyday life as an independent adult. As you share your treatment progress,
think about whether the goals in your plan are being met. If something bothers you,
ask questions. Do these goals still make sense based on what YOU have observed
about yourself at this point in time? If not, you may need to change the conversation.
Treatment plans are “living documents” that can be changed as needed. If you don’t know
how to start that conversation, it’s always a good idea to make a list of your strengths
and concerns. Does the treatment plan make use of your strengths? Does it address your
most important concerns right now? Consider asking a trusted person to look over this
list and help you plan questions to discuss with your provider.
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