Domestic Abuse: Preparing For Your Appointment

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Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

If you have made an appointment with your doctor, you may be able to get the most from your visit by being prepared to answer the following questions:

Domestic violence in the past 12 months

• Have you ever been emotionally or physically abused by your partner or someone important to you? When was the last time this happened?
• Have you been hit, slapped, kicked, or otherwise physically hurt by someone? What kind of injuries do you have? Did you seek medical treatment for the injuries? When and where?
• How long have you been afraid or felt threatened by the violent behavior of someone else?
• Has anyone forced you to have sexual activities?
• Does the abuser control most or all your activities every day?
• Has the abuser threatened violence against your children? Is he or she violent toward your children?
• Has the abuser hurt a pet or destroyed things that belong to you?
• Does the abuser use alcohol or legal or illegal drugs? Does the abuse happen when the abuser is drunk or "high"?
• Does the abuser have access to guns or other violent weapons?
• Has the abuser ever been diagnosed with depression or a mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or personality disorder?
• Do you have any risk factors?

Last updated:	May 06, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Brigid McCaw, MD, MS, MPH, FACP - Family Violence Prevention
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer