Preparing for an appointment

You may start by seeing your child's doctor. After an initial evaluation, he or she may refer you to a mental health professional who can help make a diagnosis and create the appropriate treatment plan for your child.

When possible, both parents should be present with the child. Or, take a trusted family member or friend along. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

• Signs and symptoms your child has been experiencing, and for how long.
• Your family's key personal information, including factors that you suspect may have contributed to changes in your child's behavior. Include any stressors and transitions that your child or close family members recently experienced, such as parental separation or divorce and differences in expectations and parenting styles.
• Your child's school performance, including grades and patterns of academic strengths and weaknesses. Include any learning disorder assessments and any special education services.
• Your child's key medical information, including other physical or mental health disorders with which your child has been diagnosed.
• Any medication, vitamins, herbal products and other supplements your child is taking, including the dosages.
• Questions to ask the doctor so that you can make the most of your appointment.

Questions to ask the doctor at your child's initial appointment include:

• What do you believe is causing my child's symptoms?
• Are there any other possible causes?
• How will you determine the diagnosis?
• Should my child see a mental health professional?

Questions to ask if your child is referred to a mental health professional include:

• Does my child have oppositional defiant disorder or another mental health disorder?
• Is this condition likely temporary or long lasting?
• What factors do you think might be contributing to my child's problem?
• What treatment approach do you recommend?
• Does my child need to be screened for any other mental health disorders?
• Is my child at increased risk of any long-term complications from this condition?
• Do you recommend any changes at home or school to improve my child's behavior?
• Should I tell my child's teachers about this diagnosis?
• What else can my family and I do to help my child?
• Do you recommend family therapy?

Don't hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Be ready to answer your doctor's questions. That way you'll have more time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Here are examples of questions that your doctor may ask.

• What are your concerns about your child's behavior?
• When did you first notice these problems?
• Have your child's teachers or other caregivers reported similar behaviors in your child?
• How often over the last six months has your child had an angry and irritable mood, shown argumentative and defiant behavior, or been vindictive?
• In what settings does your child demonstrate these behaviors?
• Do any particular situations seem to trigger negative or defiant behavior in your child?
• How have you been handling your child's disruptive behavior?
• How do you typically discipline your child?
• How would you describe your child's home and family life?
• What stressors has the family been dealing with?
• Has your child been diagnosed with any other medical or mental health conditions?