Some parents do not want to explain to their children that they are going to a child/adolescent psychiatrist for various reasons; they state that they went for themselves, that they were friends of the psychiatrist; or try to make the psychiatrist look like another specialty worker, or come up with other veiled excuses. The child realizes this situation very quickly. Anger, frustration, and resistance to interviewing often develop. Moreover, the parents become “liars” and the child’s trust decreases. For this reason, the child should be explained clearly, simply and in a way that he or she can understand, for what purpose he goes to a child psychiatrist and what will happen there.
For example: “We cannot solve our (this) problem together; we are all negatively affected (for the following reasons) by this situation. If we don’t solve this problem, we will be unhappy and we will face bigger problems (or these problems). That’s why we need help. We will go to a child/adolescent psychiatrist for help. The doctor there will meet with you and us; it will be like a chat; You will not be treated badly there. You can accurately explain everything to the doctor. You can meet him alone if you want. After consulting with us, the doctor may request some medical examinations. He will then evaluate them and make some suggestions to us. When we follow these suggestions, our problems will most likely decrease or disappear.”
In cases where the child or adolescent tries to resist, it is necessary to try to understand the reason for this resistance. For this, it is necessary to make a good observation and talk openly with the child. Children or adolescents do not want to go to a psychiatrist for various reasons:
“I will be given an injection there or in treatment”
“I will be treated badly there, I will be angry, embarrassed”
“My secrets will be learned and shared with others”
“Everyone will call me “crazy”, I am not “crazy”
“My desires will no longer be as before”
“Over there” I better play games than go”
“No one will help me/us”
“My friends will find out and they will make fun of me”
