I felt too whakamā to go to the doctor

For years I endured painful swelling in my lower legs and knees, chronic pain in my hips, chronic lower back pain, and the gradual onset of debilitating chronic fatigue. I…

I am trans non-binary. Every time I go to the doctor I have a non-affirming experience in terms of how I am spoken to/about. This, combined with body dysphoria, means…

I experienced sexual trauma as a child and experienced ADHD like symptoms, hypervigilance, anxiety, nightmares, poor sleep, low mood, negative self assessment, difficulties at school, and anger. I could not…

Have lost count on how many times I have tried contacting Mental Health services requesting the Mental Health Clinician to contact us regarding medications for my son who has a…

I have lost confidence in doctors, feeling like I always have to justify being there taking up their time - which is new to me as I had good experiences…

I arrived here when I was one years old, however going to the doctor was always an intimidating process. My family would change jobs frequently, and every time we shifted…

My relationship with alcohol wasn't a problem. Not as far as I knew. I was normal, fitted in with my family and friends, drank almost any beverage on offer. As…

As a trans person I am tired of feeling like I'm having to fight my doctors. Its been two years now of begging but they give me crumbs and expect…

When I went to the Dr for hormone therapy he refused for 6 months because he refused to read updated guidelines for informed consent

I choose not to go to the doctor because when I do I am treated and spoken to as if I'm negligent or an idiot. I have an extensive history…

As an immigrant, when I was on my student visa or work visa, I felt too WHAKAMĀ to visit the doctor because if they were to discover any serious health…

Back in my mid-20s, I was working multiple jobs. I would wake up early and finish late, after which I would participate in drinking and casual drug use. I became…

I feel whakamā when I visit the doctor for my insomnia. It's been a constant struggle for me, and I've seen many GPs about it. Their advice is to exercise…

I felt like I had to wait for symptoms to get worse or unbearable because they minimise the pain and almost always give me paracetamol and antibiotics and thats it.

I live in a very rural community, our district has fewer than two people per km2. Over the past four years, we have gone from having three doctor’s offices to…

I have children, children have accident. My son fell off a stool that shouldn't have been in the kitchen (thanks other children). Had a cry gave a hug and was…

I felt a hard lump in my breast it was small and hard and getting more uncomfortable, I thought to myself this isn't good. I told a friend of mine…

I noticed was a difference in the texture under my skin in my sternum area, felt like hard lumps - Im a Registered Nurse so dutifully went to my GP…

I was extremely disappointed how my Tane, Maori Male Mid 40's, was stigmatised and discriminated against,ed disrespect, arrogance, and racism practices. The non-Maori registered nurse, did not know how to…

Every time I go to the Doctor I am judge, and asked questions I don't understand. - Young Mum

I avoid going to the Doctor because I can't afford it. I would rather go through the pain and suffering, then spend our money on seeing a doctor for 5…

I'm a māmā of four boys living in ***** (location withheld) and I've put off visiting the doctors for a number of reasons. The biggest reason is I don't trust…

I migrated to Aotearoa from overseas as a skilled migrant to fulfil a skills shortage. On signing up with a PHO I arranged for my overseas doctor to send my…

Hello there, I am a mum of 3. My oldest daughter is 19 now and she is suffering from anxiety and depression. What I would like to share is how…

My kōrero is more about an experience that has now made me too whakamā to kōrero about it again. I went to see our local doctors and wanted some support…

It’s so hard to get an appointment for that day you need it. Multiple times I’ve called and they have no doctors or are fully booked.

When I called to make an appointment with the GP I tried to give them some info so they didn’t misgender me. I told the lady on the phone my…

The lady on the desk is so rude, always get the hit up for costs, “YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO SEE THE GP BECAUSE YOU OWE $133. $133!! YOU”RE GOING…

I hate talking about myself. I get overwhelmed with all the questions. My aunty tells them she will speak on my behalf, but they still ask me questions – even…

When my mum was young, a chiro pinched a nerve in her neck, leaving her with a permanent tremor in her right arm and neck. Years later she was misdiagnosed…

For a long time, I was having a really rough time in my relationship – my husband was violent and angry with me and the kids. When I was at…

I went to the GP about perimenopause. First question: Do you smoke? and then he prescribed antidepressants. “You think you’ve got menopause? And what makes you think you’re in menopause?…

Heaps of times I’ve gone to the docs sick and been asked if I’m a druggy or alcoholic. Like they think I'm just there to feed a drug addiction. I’ve…

In my family, we’ve been taught to believe that you basically had to be dying before you’d even think about going to the doctors - there’s a GP shortage, they’re…