

Teens who are suffering from depression or anxiety issues may not feel comfortable discussing this with or around their parents. Can Doctors Talk to Your Parents About Your Mental Health? The doctor will likely recommend that your child speak with you about these issues, but may not tell you about them unless serious physical danger could result. It is necessary that your child’s doctor learns all the facts and can properly diagnose and treat your child. Some medications that may be prescribed can be very dangerous if used in conjunction with certain drugs and many health problems may be caused by substance abuse. However, it is sometimes crucial that pediatricians are aware of any drug or alcohol use. No parent wants to hear that their child is drinking alcohol or using drugs, and few teens would be willing to admit it. Can Doctors Tell Your Parents if You Smoke, Drink or Use Drugs? The pediatrician is likely to counsel your child to have a frank conversation with you about sexual matters, but cannot require it. Remember, doctors are not in a position to pass moral judgment they are merely there to ensure that your child has the best preventive care possible. When teens can speak honestly with their doctors about this subject, they can receive STD testing and medical advice and can discuss birth control options. Teens that are engaging in sexual activity may be at risk for sexually transmitted diseases or other health risks. Many teens are sexually active but may not feel comfortable letting their parents know this fact. Can Doctors Tell Your Parents if You're Sexually Active? For the most part, however, there are several things that pediatricians will keep confidential, and with good reason. Laws regarding how much information can be kept from parents differ from state to state, and different doctor’s offices may have different policies regarding this matter. The only way this can be achieved is through private consultations and examinations.

Once children have reached the teen years, they are old enough to be afforded a degree of doctor-patient confidentiality. There is a good reason for this separation, however.

For many parents, this transition can feel unsettling. As children reach their teenage years, either the child or the doctor will ask the parents to remain in the waiting room during the examination. From the time babies are born, new parents are present in the room while children are seen by pediatricians.
