At a Glance
When your doctor asks, “What are we seeing you for today?”
your answer to that question is known as the presenting problem.
What Are Presenting Problems?
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This concern is the presenting problem you’ll share with your healthcare provider.
To a patient, the presenting problem is the reason you’re seeking professional help.
To your healthcare provider, the presenting problem is one initial piece of information they will use for evaluation.
Your healthcare provider can use this information to further assess you to make a diagnosis.
Such symptoms can range in terms of how severe they feel and how much they affect your life.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
How Are Presenting Problems Diagnosed?
What Causes Presenting Problems?
Once your doctor provides a diagnosis, you might wonder what exactly is causing the symptoms yo presented with.
Often, the presenting problem has a major impact on your life.
It can affect your ability to function at work, school, and relationships.
In many cases, it may interfere with day-to-day tasks and make self-care difficult.
Your main symptoms may also have a ripple effect that contributes to other problems as well.
Presenting problems can create all kinds of disruption and distress in your daily life.
That’s why it’s so important to talk about your concerns with your doctor or therapist.
The treatment they recommend will depend on your diagnosis as well as the severity of your symptoms.
Treatments often involve psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
Psychotherapy
There are many different psychotherapeutic approaches used to treat mental health conditions.
Some of these options include:
Some forms of treatment may be more appropriate for certain conditions.
Talk to your doctor or therapist about which option might be best for your situation.
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2018;17(3):258275. doi:10.1002/wps.20569
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Psychotherapy.
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2018;18(1):632. doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5526-2
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