What to say when your GP doesn’t take your concerns seriously

You booked the appointment.

You waited days (or weeks).

You rehearsed how you were going to explain it.

And then… you left the room feeling brushed off, unsure, or even worse... like you were being dramatic.

When it comes to your child, nothing feels worse than not being heard.

So what do you do when your GP (or paediatrician, or nurse) doesn’t take your concerns seriously?

Let’s talk through it and give you tools, not just validation.

First: you’re not being too much

You are the expert on your child.

You notice the subtle changes, you carry the mental logbook, and you know when something’s off, even if you can’t perfectly articulate it.

So if you leave an appointment with a pit in your stomach or that “was I just dismissed?” feeling - trust that.

It doesn’t mean your doctor is bad. It just means this conversation didn’t land the way it needed to.

And you deserve better.

Why this happens (and why it’s not your fault)

Some common reasons GPs might seem dismissive (without meaning to):

• You’ve come in with something vague or hard to define

• The issue is within “normal” range, but still not normal for your child

• They’re rushed, overtired, or stuck in checklist mode

• You haven’t had time to track clear patterns or back up your gut feeling with data

You don’t need to fix this, but knowing why it happens can help you redirect the conversation next time.

What to say: scripts that work

1. When they say “It’s probably fine.”

“I get that. But it’s still not sitting right with me. Can we talk through what you’d want to see if it weren’t fine, just so I know what to look for?”

2. When they say “Let’s wait and see.”

“I’m okay to monitor it - but what should I track, and when would you want to see us again if nothing changes?”

3. When they don’t ask enough questions.

“I might not be explaining it well - do you mind if I describe what I’ve noticed, even if it seems small?”

4. When you leave confused.

“Before I go - can I just check I understood you right? What exactly are we watching for, and what would make you want to investigate further?”

How to prepare next time (especially if you’re exhausted)

• Write down what you’ve noticed and when

• Bring photos, videos, or logs if relevant

• Try to summarise in one clear sentence (e.g. “He’s not eating like he used to, and it’s been 3 weeks”)

• If it’s emotional, say so upfront: “I’m feeling a bit anxious about this, and I might forget things - would you mind helping me slow it down?”

 

How Yawn can help

Yawn can’t replace your GP and it won’t try to.

But it can help you feel more prepared.

Use Yawn to:

• Sense-check whether something’s common, urgent, or worth monitoring (though always trust your gut)

• Help you word your concerns clearly before the appointment

• Suggest questions to ask or info to bring

• Track patterns (sleep, feeding, behaviour) so you’ve got something concrete to share

It’s like having a calm friend in your pocket, helping you sort the “maybe” from the “definitely ask.”

You are not being dramatic. You are being proactive.

If something’s bothering you, say it again. And again.

Find a new GP if you have to. Ask for a second opinion. Bring backup.

You don’t owe politeness at the expense of peace of mind.

Because when it comes to your child, being taken seriously isn’t a bonus. It’s the bare minimum.