Considering your needs

Information for the public

Your health and social care team should be aware that your social anxiety might make you feel embarrassed and that you might find it hard to ask for help or talk to them. You might find it difficult to ask or answer questions, concentrate when information is explained to you, give information about yourself, or, if necessary, make a complaint about your care.

The team should offer to communicate with you by text, email or phone and should suggest that you communicate with them (including making and changing appointments) in the way you find most comfortable.

If possible, you should be offered appointments during less busy times, before or after the service's normal opening hours, or at home at first. You may also be offered the opportunity to use a self-service check-in when you arrive for appointments and to complete any forms in privacy before or after an appointment. The team should support you if you have concerns that are related to your social anxiety (for example, if you are anxious about using public transport) and offer you a choice of professional if possible.

When you arrive at the service for the appointment, your healthcare professional should offer to let you know (for example, by text message) when your appointment is about to start.

If you need to stay in hospital for treatment, the hospital staff should ask you about your preferences for meals, activities and accommodation. There should be a choice of activities you can do on your own or with other people. If you find it too uncomfortable eating with other people you should be offered a place to eat on your own.