The Whole Truth: Why You Should Be Honest with Your Doctor

For some people, certain bodily functions are no easier to mention out loud than they were in 2^nd grade. But there are as many reasons to be completely honest with your primary care physician and other medical professionals about your diet, behaviors, and health habits as there are reasons why people aren’t always honest. For people with substance abuse problems or behavior disorders (like sex or gambling addictions), the need for patient honesty may be particularly urgent – but, for complicated reasons that are discussed below, patients may be even more inclined to bend the truth in these situations.

Why do patients fib, lie, or omit the truth?

• Embarrassment – describing unpleasant symptoms may not be appropriate in normal social situations, but there are few things that your doctor has not seen, heard about, or even experienced themselves. 
• Fears of being judged – a doctor’s job is to treat your symptoms and help you get well – not to judge you for your behaviors. Doctors are human too and may empathize with your situation more than you might realize.
• Fears of being reported for illegal behavior – although laws vary by state, there are few instances when a doctor may disclose your personal health information to another person without your written permission. (Again, depending on the state, some of these times might be in an emergency/if you are unconscious, with another physician for educational purposes if they do not reveal personally identifying information, or if your health is the reason for a legal proceeding, to name a few examples).
• Forgetfulness – in some cases, omissions are the result of a genuine lapse in a patient’s memory. However, when you realize that you forgot a detail about your condition, you should contact your doctor with the new information.  To avoid this situation, it can be helpful to write down everything you want to say before going to your appointment.
• Lack of awareness about a detail’s importance – patients might not think that it is important to mention the over-the-counter medication they take because it does not require a prescription, for example.

Why is it important to be honest with my doctor?

After extensive study about drug interactions, the effects of substances on the body, and the behaviors that have an impact on both physical and mental health, your doctor has learned how to provide you with the best care available.   Although many physicians assume that “2 beers a week” really means 4 or more, if you aren’t honest with your doctor about your choices, they will be missing pieces of your medical-history puzzle that could prove crucial in an emergency situation. 

In the case of patients with substance abuse or addiction problems, in addition to understanding how the substance interacts with your body systems, your doctor also has information about that substance’s association with other medical conditions and can monitor you for them in case they develop. For example, researchers have found a potential link between chronic or extensive marijuana use and testicular cancer (Read Marijuana Abuse & Testicular Cancer: Recent Findings). In this way, doctors who know the whole truth about a patient’s health-related behaviors can anticipate future problems that their patients may develop as well as give them sound advice in the present.

What can I do if I have a problem with a substance or behavior?

In addition to being honest with your doctor, we encourage you to consider contacting eDrugRehab today. If someone you know is having difficulty being honest with even themselves (in other words, they are denying their problem – Read How to Deal with Denial), you may want to consider arranging an intervention (Read Intervention FAQ and Intervention: Is It Time?). Depending on the substance, addiction can be both difficult and dangerous to overcome without help (Read Why You Shouldn’t Fight Addiction Alone). Although many people put off seeking help until they feel it is absolutely necessary (Read Common Excuses for Not Seeking Treatment), not all addicts must reach rock bottom for treatment to be effective, and getting help sooner rather than later could save their life. Visit the Contact Us page to learn how you can speak with someone today and help your loved one – or yourself – get on the path to recovery.