'I'm a GP and here are 5 things you shouldn't be ashamed to talk to me about'

'I'm a GP and here are 5 things you shouldn't be ashamed to talk to me about' "Guys, here are things that people don't tell me as their GP because they think I might judge them or be disappointed in them. Well, let me take that worry off your plate - I'm never disappointed. I never judge." Going to the doctor's can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you need to talk about something you're worried or embarrassed about. But one GP has reminded people that they've literally heard it all - and they need to know the full facts so they can help you properly. Dr Amir Khan is a familiar face on ITV's Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, and is also prolific on social media, where he is regularly seen dishing out useful health tips and advice. He recently posted a clip on TikTok laying out five things you should not be ashamed about telling your doctor. Opening his video, Dr Khan said: "Guys, here are things that people don't tell me as their GP because they think I might judge them or be disappointed in them. Well, let me take that worry off your plate - I'm never disappointed. I never judge." 1: You've stopped taking medication First on his list is to speak up if you've stopped taking a medication you were prescribed or advised to take. "Tell me, I need to know," he said. "Perhaps you have side effects, perhaps you were worried about having side effects, perhaps remembering to take it every day was harder than you expected it to be. "I don't mind. Just tell me, honestly, because if I think you're taking it and it isn't helping, we could end up changing your whole treatment plan based on the wrong information." 2: You can't afford a treatment Medical treatment can be costly, especially if you need to take a number of medications - and for some people this can be a real barrier. Dr Khan urged viewers to tell him if this is a problem, saying: "This is really common." "Whether that's a prescription charge for a cream or a tablet, getting to an appointment with transport, the food that someone's told you will help change your metabolic long term condition, okay, tell me," he said. "If you can't do it, you can't do it. That's absolutely fine. Tell me what's manageable and we will make a plan we can actually use around you." 3: You haven't understood what you've been told Continuing, Dr Khan said he understands speaking to a doctor can come with "an entirely unnecessary amount of jargon and vocab". "We try our best, and sometimes, I'm sure I explain things badly, that is just what can happen," he said. "But that's my fault. So you can say 'Amir, I absolutely have no idea what you're talking about. Could you tell me again, please?' And you won't be the first person to say that." 4: You're using alcohol or drugs It's understandable to feel a doctor may look down on you for using alcohol, drugs, or other methods to manage your condition, but Dr Khan explained this is far from the case - and it's important he knows about it. "Whether it's alcohol, drugs, someone else's tablets maybe, these things can affect your health and interact with any treatment I want to suggest," he said. "So I need to know so I can help you safely. Not gonna judge. I'm really not. You just deserve care, whatever you're struggling with." 5: What you think the problem might be It's very tempting when you're feeling unwell to search your symptoms online in an effort to get an idea of what may be causing it, but this is rarely a good idea, as you are likely to be presented with the worse-case scenario, when in most cases it's something far less serious. Dr Khan said: "You might have come in about a headache, but someone has told you 'oh, it could be a brain tumour' and you've put off an appointment because you're scared of what we might find. "Tell me that. Tell me what you're worried about, because I could explain my assessment and still leave you carrying the very fear you came in with because we haven't addressed your fears. You know, that's the whole point - you tell me what you're worried about and we'll work it out together. That is all I'm going to do." Concluding, he said: "So remember, when you come into a doctor's appointment, I don't need to be impressed. Just tell me what you need to tell me. I will not judge. I will only do my best to look after you. I promise." Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings