Use another way to communicate
Bring written notes, read from your phone, or ask whether you can hand the clinician a short summary. You can ask for questions to be repeated or explained differently.
Ask for adjustments before the day
If a disability makes appointments harder, reasonable adjustments can include things such as clearer written information, a quieter waiting area or more time where appropriate. Ask the service what it can offer.
A simple opening sentence
You can start with: “I find it difficult to explain this when I am anxious, so I have written down the important parts.” That tells the clinician how to help without requiring you to explain everything immediately.
Write down the things you most want remembered. You can read from your notes, show them to the clinician, or use the free appointment-prep tool to put them in order.
Open appointment prep →Trusted sources
NHS: mental-health assessments ↗NHS England: reasonable adjustments ↗General information, not a diagnosis or personal treatment plan. Exact processes vary by service. Reviewed 8 September 2026.