In this section, you will reflect on your confidence in initiating a discussion with a person with an anxiety disorder and consider how to develop this confidence. 

Confidence

The impression you give a patient or member of the public on meeting them has a significant impact on their view of you and their readiness to share sensitive health concerns. Patients and the public want to speak to someone who is friendly, confident and competent. They want to trust you with their health and personal information.

As shown by the experiences shared in last month’s module, many people with an anxiety disorder are fearful of seeking help and advice for their condition. How confident do you feel about reaching out to a person living with an anxiety disorder? Would you feel able to initiate a conversation with them and create a safe environment to have this conversation in? 

Perspective 

Spend a few minutes thinking about your perspective on initiating a discussion with a person living with an anxiety disorder. Use the following questions to prompt your thinking:

• What do you think are the steps involved in initiating a discussion with a person about their anxiety disorder?
• What skills are involved?
• What questions might you ask the person in order to initiate the discussion?
• What impact does a person’s race, ethnicity, learning or physical ability, or the community to which they belong have on the way you might initiate the discussion?