| According to ongoing research about the needs of | | | | the treatment (and how long does it take)? |
| patients with emotional problems misinformation | | | | 10. What is the goal of suggested clinical diagnostic |
| or shame to speak about the problem with the | | | | process |
| doctor or psychotherapist is a major limitation to | | | | 11. What kind of different treatment options are |
| treatment success. However, transparency, good | | | | available? |
| information and participation in the course of the | | | | 12. What will be realistic advantages of a positive |
| therapy is the most important factor for a lasting | | | | therapy outcome? |
| positive result. Maybe the following list of the | | | | 13. Can the treatment offer me a reduction of |
| most relevant questions might help you to get | | | | my complaints? |
| good information about your personal somatic or | | | | 14. How long will it take to achieve first positive |
| psychological problems, diagnosis and treatment | | | | results? |
| options. | | | | 15. What might be the influence on my feelings or |
| This list, however, might help you to be prepared | | | | personality? |
| for the right questions : | | | | 16. Are there any negative consequences for my |
| 1. Is there a name (clinical diagnosis) for my | | | | sexuality? |
| problem? | | | | 17. Are there risks or possible side effects of the |
| 2. What are typical symptoms (somatic and | | | | treatment? |
| psychological)? | | | | 18. Do you think my problems will reoccur? Is it a |
| 3. What are the causes of the problem or the | | | | chronic disorder? |
| disorder? | | | | 19. What kind of information is relevant for |
| 4. What is the typical experience of other patients | | | | people, who care for me? |
| with this kind of problem or disorder? | | | | 20. Is there anything I could do myself to |
| 5. What could I do myself to achieve a solution? | | | | accelerate my rehabilitation? |
| 6. What kind of further technical diagnosis is | | | | 21. How do I get additional information? |
| necessary to exclude other organic disorders? | | | | 22. Are there self-help groups for my problem? |
| 7. What is the aim of these diagnosis? Are there | | | | This is a rather comprehensive list of questions |
| any possible risks? | | | | and you must not expect to get a quick answer |
| 8. What kind of treatment options (drugs, | | | | within a short time. But it might be a start to get |
| psycho-social help, different | | | | the answers you need. Reading books and using |
| psychotherapy-methods, biological treatment | | | | the internet to find reliable information related to |
| options) exist for my problem? | | | | your personal problems is a great support for you |
| 9. What kind of advantage can be achieved with | | | | and your doctor. |