Article Options

Presentation View
Teaching Resources

Language

The Dreaded Doctor’s Visit

Going to the doctor might not be your favorite thing, but it’s actually a great time to get answers to all your health questions—big, small, or totally mortifying. Here’s how to get the most out of it.

March 2025
By Rachel Morris

FangXiaNuo/E+/Getty Images (opener); Patricia Fazio (Mahvash Madni)

It’s time for your annual checkup. You sit on the exam table, and your mind starts racing. Should you mention that itchy rash? What about how you can’t sleep? And, oh no—do you need to get any shots? 

Take a deep breath (and not just because the doctor tells you to). This is your chance to take control of your health! We asked a pediatrician who works with teens to address your questions about doctor visits. Here’s how to manage your fears so you can make the most of your next appointment. 

MEET THE EXPERT

Mahvash Madni, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician in New York

Why you can trust her medical advice: Dr. Madni is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics is the area of health care that focuses on infants, children, and teens. She has more than 13 years of experience as a doctor.

THE FEAR: I dread getting shots.

THE FIX:

Westend61/Getty Images

Often with shots, the thought of the needle is a lot scarier than the injection itself. So a great way to counteract that fear of shots is to understand why you need them in the first place. “The vaccines you get as a teen protect you against diseases that can make you sick for a really long time or even kill you,” says Dr. Madni. “Vaccines allow you to go to school, be around other kids, and not get each other sick.” 

If that knowledge still isn’t enough to calm your needle anxiety, focus on taking deep, slow breaths. 

“Taking deep breaths can help your body relax. That’s good because if you tense up the muscles of your arm, the vaccine may hurt more,” says Dr. Madni. You can also try a distraction technique like watching a video on your phone or holding your parent’s hand. You’re never too old for that feel-better move—even Dr. Madni says she likes to hold someone’s hand when she gets a shot!

THE FEAR: My doc is going to be in my business.

THE FIX:

Mix and Match Studio/Shutterstock.com

“What did you have for breakfast? Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend? How’s school going?” Some of the things your doctor asks may seem irrelevant or even like an invasion of your privacy. But there’s a reason for these probing questions! Details like what foods you eat every day or if you’re happy in your relationships with friends and family are like puzzle pieces. Your doctor puts them together to get a full picture of your health—physical and mental. Your answers can also help your pediatrician pinpoint why you may not be feeling your best. Headaches, for example, could be caused by anything from a food allergy to stress. 

Your doctor might also be asking these seemingly random questions to get the conversation flowing and help you feel comfortable chatting about your life. “These questions are also meant to help you speak up for yourself and ask your own questions,” says Dr. Madni.

So in addition to answering your doctor’s questions as honestly as you can, feel free to come armed with a few questions of your own. Wondering if your acne meds have any weird side effects? Not sure whether it’s normal to wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious? Your doc has answers! 

Make a note of your questions in your phone or on a piece of scratch paper to bring with you if you’re worried about your mind going blank during the exam.

THE FEAR: My doctor will think I’m a total weirdo.

THE FIX:

Shutterstock.com

Your body is amazing. But it might also be doing some pretty alarming things right now, like sprouting hair in odd places or creating strange new smells. You might feel self-conscious about mentioning these things to your doctor. But Dr. Madni says pediatricians are not there to judge you! In fact, they want you to be 100 percent honest with them about all of those “Am I normal?” questions. Nothing is off-limits or too personal to discuss. Doctors have seen, heard, and smelled it all before, from weird-looking rashes to funky body odor. And even more important, they know how to help you.

Also, know that whatever you say in the exam room stays in that room. “Unless you tell your doctor about something that’s a major danger to you or to others, they aren’t allowed to share that information,” says Dr. Madni. 

If, despite these assurances, you still don’t feel comfortable opening up to your pediatrician, that could be a sign that they’re not the right match for you. “This is an important relationship that you’re building, and if you feel like this isn’t the best doctor for you, talk to your parents or caregivers about finding a new one,” says Dr. Madni.

THE FEAR: My parent is right there. 

THE FIX:

Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images

We get it. You’d rather faceplant in front of the whole school than ask about your puberty problems while your parent or guardian is in the room. Luckily, by the time you’re this age, your doctor should ask to chat one-on-one, usually at the end of your exam. But what if that doesn’t happen? Just say, “Is it OK if I stay to ask you a couple questions in private?” If that feels weird, you could ask if you can call or email the doctor with any follow-up questions. Some doctors will be open to continuing the conversation that way. Others have an online patient portal where you can send questions, though your parents or guardians may have access to that.

Additionally, if your parent is jumping in to answer your doctor’s questions for you, it’s OK to remind them you can speak for yourself. You know your body better than anyone else. “Even though your parent brought you to the appointment and is in the room, this is your relationship with your doctor,” says Dr. Madni. 

Who’s Who at the Doctor’s Office?

A quick guide to who does what at your pediatrician’s office

Shutterstock.com

RECEPTIONIST

This is the first person you’ll meet. They’ll check you in and handle paperwork. They can answer questions like how long until the doctor sees you. But this person usually doesn’t have a medical degree, so save health questions for the exam room.

Shutterstock.com

NURSE

Nurses help prep you for your appointment. They’ll probably come into the room while you’re waiting for your doctor. They may check your blood pressure using a cuff that goes over your arm, take your temperature, ask about symptoms if you’re sick, and give you shots if you need any. They’ll enter all the information about your vital signs into a chart, which the doctor will look at before or during your visit. You can ask the receptionist for a copy of your chart at the end of the visit, so you can have up-to-date info about your health as well.

Shutterstock.com

DOCTOR

This is who you’ll talk to about any health concerns, from coughs to sports injuries. After the nurse takes your vital signs, the doctor will come in to examine you, diagnose any issues, and give you advice on how to stay healthy. They can write you a prescription if you need any medicine, and they can refer you to see a specialist (a doctor who specializes in a certain part of the body or type of medicine) if you need one.

Personal Health

Get the digital lesson plan for this article

You Might Also Like:

Skills Sheets (2)
Skills Sheets (2)
Lesson Plan (1)
Text-to-Speech