Have you ever felt like this? When you go to see the doctor, you feel like you can't hear all the questions on your mind... Or when you tell your family about your health problem and they don't understand it properly... We have to experience things like this many times in life. The reason for this is that we have forgotten a little about speaking up for ourselves, that is, clearly expressing our needs, feelings, and ideas. That's what we call 'Self-Advocacy'.
Simply put, what is 'Self-Advocacy'?
Self-Advocacy is the act of standing up for yourself, speaking up for yourself. It is the ability to communicate clearly and confidently to others about your needs, your rights, your feelings, and your limitations. It is not about fighting or being aggressive. It is about raising your voice in a very calm but firm way.
This ability is especially important in health-related matters. Imagine that you have a little doubt about a medicine that a doctor has prescribed. You want to know about its side effects. Then you should be able to ask, "Doctor, can you explain a little about the side effects of this medicine?" That's what self-advocacy is. It's not something you're born with; it's a valuable skill that we can practice and develop.
Why is this ability so valuable to you?
Learning to speak up for yourself has many benefits for your life.
- Better health outcomes: When you talk openly with your doctor about your symptoms, questions, and fears, he or she can provide you with the most appropriate and accurate treatment.
- Increased self-confidence: When you start to feel that your ideas have value, your self-confidence will automatically increase.
- Mental well-being: Being able to let things out without holding them in is a great way to reduce stress.
- Taking control of your life: You make the decisions in your life. Your voice is the most important thing when it comes to making decisions about your health and your happiness. With this ability, you can take control of that.
Remember, you are the main character in your life story, so your needs are more important than anything else.
How to develop this skill?
This is not something you can do overnight. But with practice, you can do it easily. There are four main pillars to this. Let's look at them in this table.
| Skill | Simply put... | How to get used to it |
|---|---|---|
| Confidence | Believing that your feelings, needs, and ideas have value. | Start small. Go to a store and ask for exactly what you want. Practice saying what you want in front of a mirror. |
| Communication | Telling the other person what's on your mind clearly, calmly, and respectfully. | Before you go to see the doctor, write down the questions you want to ask. Start sentences with words like 'I think' or 'I feel'. |
| Collaboration | Rather than looking for answers to a problem alone, seek a solution together with the relevant person (e.g. doctor, family member). | Ask questions like, "Doctor, what are we going to do about this?" Use the word "we" instead of "I." |
| Resource Knowledge | Be aware of where you can get help, people, and accurate information. | Ask your doctor about reliable websites that can help you find information about your condition. If you need help, find someone you can talk to about it. |
These things will help you when talking to your doctor.
Visiting a doctor can sometimes be a scary experience. But it's the best place to talk about your health. Here are some things to help you during this time:
- Prepare before your appointment: Keep a small journal of when your symptoms started, when they worsened, and how you're feeling. Also write down any questions you might have.
- Tell the truth: Don't hide anything. Sometimes the things you're embarrassed to say are the most important pieces of evidence to help you diagnose your condition.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions: "Can you explain this a little more?", "Are there any other options besides this treatment?", "How long do I need to take this medicine?" Never be afraid to ask questions like this.
- If you don't understand, ask again: Sometimes we don't understand the medical terms the doctor uses. At that time, there's nothing wrong with asking, "I don't understand that, can you explain it simply?"
- Share your thoughts: If you are unsure about a treatment or are afraid of it, talk about it openly. The best treatment plan can only be developed with your participation.
Developing this skill is like exercising. It's hard to start, but as you continue, it becomes a part of your life. Never forget that you have the right to speak up for your health, your happiness, and your life.
Take-Home Message
- Self-advocacy is a valuable skill that you can practice and develop.
- Talking clearly about your needs and feelings can help you get better healthcare and increase your self-confidence.
- When you go to see a doctor, write down your questions and symptoms. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and if you don't understand, ask again.
- Putting your needs first isn't selfish. It's essential to your well-being.
- Start with small steps. As you practice a little each day, this will become much easier for you.
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