Do CAMHS Weigh You?
Hi, I have got my first CAMHS tomorrow for my anorexia and I'm not sure what to expect.
My doctor weighed me less than a week ago, so will I get weighed again tomorrow? My BMI is 18, so I'm not yet dangerously underweight. What will they do if I refuse to be weighed in the first appointment? I'm 17, so do my parents always have to stay in the room or be informed about everything if I don't want them to be? What kind of things will happen tomorrow?
Any answers are greatly appreciated xxx
My doctor weighed me less than a week ago, so will I get weighed again tomorrow? My BMI is 18, so I'm not yet dangerously underweight. What will they do if I refuse to be weighed in the first appointment? I'm 17, so do my parents always have to stay in the room or be informed about everything if I don't want them to be? What kind of things will happen tomorrow?
Any answers are greatly appreciated xxx
Hi, don't be nervous or anything about tomorrow. Everyone only wants to help you, they may ask to weigh you but as its your first time they'd definitely understand if you were uncomfortable doing that. Your parents don't have to be there, however they may need to talk to your parents at some point. Anything you tell them is confidential and they won't tell your parents anything you don't want them to know. Hope this helps and good luck!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
given your age what will probably happen is that they will have a chat with your first with your parents in the room (you can ask to go in alone if you want to) and then they will ask your parents to go outside and have a chat with you alone - anything you tell them which isn't an immediate safeguarding risk (i.e. suicidal thoughts/plans, abuse) will be kept confidential (although if there is something you don't want shared it might be worth stating it explicitly so nothing is accidentally disclosed)
as for weighing, if you are being referred for an eating disorder they will want to keep a record of your weight, they may not do this on the first session but the likelihood is they will want a starting weight for their records... obviously they can't physically drag you onto a set of scales and they aren't going to refuse to work with you if you refuse to weigh yourself, they will understand that it is a very stressful thing for someone with an eating disorder and that you are probably not comfortable with your therapist yet - however they may have an expectation that you eventually agree to weigh ins, this is something you will have to find out from your treatment provider (where I was treated they agreed not to weigh me for a bit and but I was eventually told I had to comply or I'd be discharged)
as for what they will ask, they will ask you why you feel you should be seeing a therapist and what your view on your difficulties is, they may ask you about what goals you have for the therapy, they will probably ask about your history (mental health, physical health, abuse etc) and about your parents mental health history, they may ask you a bit about your life in general (e.g. education, friends, hobbies) and they will probably explain what sort of treatment they will be doing with you - they will understand your nervousness and I don't know if you have anything to disclose but they will not necessarily expect you to be making any serious disclosures immediately (e.g. abuse)
as for weighing, if you are being referred for an eating disorder they will want to keep a record of your weight, they may not do this on the first session but the likelihood is they will want a starting weight for their records... obviously they can't physically drag you onto a set of scales and they aren't going to refuse to work with you if you refuse to weigh yourself, they will understand that it is a very stressful thing for someone with an eating disorder and that you are probably not comfortable with your therapist yet - however they may have an expectation that you eventually agree to weigh ins, this is something you will have to find out from your treatment provider (where I was treated they agreed not to weigh me for a bit and but I was eventually told I had to comply or I'd be discharged)
as for what they will ask, they will ask you why you feel you should be seeing a therapist and what your view on your difficulties is, they may ask you about what goals you have for the therapy, they will probably ask about your history (mental health, physical health, abuse etc) and about your parents mental health history, they may ask you a bit about your life in general (e.g. education, friends, hobbies) and they will probably explain what sort of treatment they will be doing with you - they will understand your nervousness and I don't know if you have anything to disclose but they will not necessarily expect you to be making any serious disclosures immediately (e.g. abuse)
Thank you both for your replies, they have really helped to put my mind at ease. I think eventually I will be okay with the idea of being weighed, but it is mainly just the first appointment and being weighed by a complete stranger that I'm terrified by. Anyway, it's such a relief that I finally have some sort of idea what to expect, thank you so very much, you were both very helpful! x
