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Going to doctors about an ED
Right, so I've realised I've got a pretty bad problem with eating, and my bf thinks I should go to the doctor about it. I'm not sure if a doctor would actually do anything though, so does anyone have an experience with this? Don't want to waste the docs time, or get my hopes up that it might help then have the doctor be really unhelpful (which they generaly are in my experience).
Replies really appriciated.
P.S. Please keep anon, some of my family use this site.
Replies really appriciated.
P.S. Please keep anon, some of my family use this site.
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You pay tax, you have a right to see a doctor. There's no such thing as wasting a doctor's time, unless your problem is really trivial and silly.
If you feel you need some help and advice, just go and make an appointment. It must be worth seeing a doctor because you sound worried anyway. And if you are worried, then you should do something about it, right?
If you feel you need some help and advice, just go and make an appointment. It must be worth seeing a doctor because you sound worried anyway. And if you are worried, then you should do something about it, right?
My experience wasn't very good. I went to my doctor, and was quite nervous about it. I was making myself sick after I ate, and told her this. And she asked questions about when I did it and things, and then sent me away with a leaflet on eating disorders. That was it. She didn't offer any counselling or anything like that. I don't actually think she took me seriously.
How did they help evilsheep?
Anonymous
How did they help evilsheep?
Well, first of all cos I had a depression as well, so there's medicine you can get... But also by just talking t me about my feelings, making me realise why I was doing it.. SO basically, my doctor acted more like a therapist, apart from the fact that she also could check that I hadn't gotten any health issues (like lacking stuff) apart from the obvious skinniness....
it can't hurt can it. The worst it could be it wasting an hour or so of your time. It may take some confidence for you to go to a doctor, and talk. Have you felt able to talk to your bf or someone else close, do you think you'd be able to talk to your doctor openly in confidence. I'd definately suggest going to your doctor, but more importantly (possibly) is to talk to somebody, anybody, about why you do what you do and what you're thinking etc.
I went to see some doctors about my ED a while back. Mostly, the therapists didn't take me seriously and skipped over it. The doctors tried to put me on meds (which made me worse tbh). Finally, I was sent to a specialty clinic (this was in another country though) and started seeing the most patronizing therapist/doctor I've ever dealt with, who within the first 2 sessions, decided that all my problems were based on the fact that I occasionally enjoyed a joint or two.
Like others have said, it's worth a try, but the whole thing was a frustrating experience for me, which led to many more people than I would have liked finding out about and getting involved in my personal issues.
That said, I am (mostly) recovered now...and I do think I have one of my therapists to blame for my generally better state of being. However, it took 3 years, many, many doctors, various meds, and a lot of inner struggle and determination to get to this point. It's a good thing you've decided you should do something about it - that's half the battle right there.
Like others have said, it's worth a try, but the whole thing was a frustrating experience for me, which led to many more people than I would have liked finding out about and getting involved in my personal issues.
That said, I am (mostly) recovered now...and I do think I have one of my therapists to blame for my generally better state of being. However, it took 3 years, many, many doctors, various meds, and a lot of inner struggle and determination to get to this point. It's a good thing you've decided you should do something about it - that's half the battle right there.
I think you should go to your doctor, they will probably get you a referral to an eating disorders specialist (which in my experience takes a long time to get an appointment - 2 or 3 months sometimes), and the specialists dont tend to be the friendliest of people, but then again I suppose thats because theyre saying what you dont want to hear. Anyway it's worth going, even if it just helps you realise that you do have a problem and that is always the first step to doing something about it. good luck.
you should go to a doctors - they shouldnt belittle you for something like an ED.
They will probably check your weight and height first off, then see if you desperately need help (e.g if you're extremely below their 'ideal weight') or if you simply need a little encouragement to eat properly, in which case they'll probably hand you leaflets etc.
When i had my ED, i didnt go to the doctors so i cant tell you what it will be like, i managed to realise and with support from my friends, i recovered.
They will probably check your weight and height first off, then see if you desperately need help (e.g if you're extremely below their 'ideal weight') or if you simply need a little encouragement to eat properly, in which case they'll probably hand you leaflets etc.
When i had my ED, i didnt go to the doctors so i cant tell you what it will be like, i managed to realise and with support from my friends, i recovered.
I would definitely go to see your dr. The longer you leave it go on the harder it is to get back to normal eating and recovery. They will probably pass you on to a specialist eating disorder unit or if there isn't one in your area (there isn't where I live), you will go to the general mental health unit. They will probably refer you to a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and a dietitian. The wait lists for these can be really long, I was on the waiting list for my psychotherapy for almost a year. Could be more or less depending on where you live and how good the NHS facilities are. They will assess you first, which is basically just talking about how your problems started and assessing your health. Also at your doctor if you are diagnosed with an eating disorder you will have to have a blood test to make sure your electrolytes are normal, if these are not where they should be it can be very dangerous. I've had anorexia for two years, its held me back from university for two years now so don't let it hold you back. If you ever want to talk just send me a message 
Hi I'm not trying to hijack the thread but I was wanting some advice to do with this subject. I started a diet in July aiming to lose a stone and I have (now 9 stone and 5'6'' so healthy weight) but I can't stop counting calories in everything I eat and drink. I write it all down and find myself memorising how many calories I've eaten everyday. I won't eat something if I think its too high. Normally I eat about 900-1000 kcals a day. It's worrying my bf and me too. I'm losing weight still and I don't know what to do 
I can't stand eating more as I worry its going to go straight back on the minute I eat. Have I got a problem?
I can't stand eating more as I worry its going to go straight back on the minute I eat. Have I got a problem? I can really empathise with you. I'm recovering from anorexia and trying to gain up to a healthy weight but I cannot stop counting calories and its really stopping me from progressing. My dietitian wants me to stop but I cannot, its just too scary to not know. I'm supposed to be eating around 2000-2500 calories a day to gain weight which is impossible to me right now.
You should eat at least 1200 calories a day, any lower than that for a prolonged period of time and your body goes into starvation mode, where it shuts down the functions that are not necessary to your survival (which is why anorexics feel cold all the time, hair falls out, skin feels dry etc). I think you should go and see your doctor and ask to be referred to a dietitian, who can give you advice on healthy eating and assist you in maintaining your weight.
You are at a healthy weight right now and you definitely shouldn't lose any more. This is how eating disorders start, where you lose weight and are afraid of losing the control you have with food. But in the end it ends up controlling you, so don't let it get that far. Wishing you lots of luck, you can message me if you want to talk
You should eat at least 1200 calories a day, any lower than that for a prolonged period of time and your body goes into starvation mode, where it shuts down the functions that are not necessary to your survival (which is why anorexics feel cold all the time, hair falls out, skin feels dry etc). I think you should go and see your doctor and ask to be referred to a dietitian, who can give you advice on healthy eating and assist you in maintaining your weight.
You are at a healthy weight right now and you definitely shouldn't lose any more. This is how eating disorders start, where you lose weight and are afraid of losing the control you have with food. But in the end it ends up controlling you, so don't let it get that far. Wishing you lots of luck, you can message me if you want to talk
Anonymous
Hi I'm not trying to hijack the thread but I was wanting some advice to do with this subject. I started a diet in July aiming to lose a stone and I have (now 9 stone and 5'6'' so healthy weight) but I can't stop counting calories in everything I eat and drink. I write it all down and find myself memorising how many calories I've eaten everyday. I won't eat something if I think its too high. Normally I eat about 900-1000 kcals a day. It's worrying my bf and me too. I'm losing weight still and I don't know what to do I can't stand eating more as I worry its going to go straight back on the minute I eat. Have I got a problem?
I can't stand eating more as I worry its going to go straight back on the minute I eat. Have I got a problem? Your basic metabolic rate will burn up way more than 1000 kcals in one day and that's why you are losing weight. What is going in is less than your body needs to keep itself going. There are various websites that can estimate your BMR - generally it will be anything from 1700kcal + depending on your level of activity. Realising this will help you understand that you CAN afford to eat a lot more and not gain back the weight that you've lost. I know what it's like to lose weight and then be afraid of it going back on - but you have to break the cycle of eating low calories all the time and live normally. A way of tackling this issue is to try increasing your calories again - eating healthily (large amounts of fruit and veg and fish) which will make you feel better about the amounts you are eating in general. Occasionally treat yourself, but most of all learn that the diet you've lived by recently is not exactly a normal eating pattern and try to achieve that over the next few weeks.
Anonymous
Hi I'm not trying to hijack the thread but I was wanting some advice to do with this subject. I started a diet in July aiming to lose a stone and I have (now 9 stone and 5'6'' so healthy weight) but I can't stop counting calories in everything I eat and drink. I write it all down and find myself memorising how many calories I've eaten everyday. I won't eat something if I think its too high. Normally I eat about 900-1000 kcals a day. It's worrying my bf and me too. I'm losing weight still and I don't know what to do I can't stand eating more as I worry its going to go straight back on the minute I eat. Have I got a problem?
I can't stand eating more as I worry its going to go straight back on the minute I eat. Have I got a problem? Now you've lost the weight and are at a healthy weight, you need to start maintaining it. Currently, you're not consuming enough calories to do that. Obviously, you're used to consuming a lot less than is safe and recommended (As I'm sure you well know), so getting your cals back up to a level where you can maintain your weight is not gonna be easy. IMO, you've kinda got some disordered eating thing going on, even if you don't have an ED itself (because obsessing over cals to that extent is not normal or healthy), so increasing your cals is probably a bit scary. Do it in small increments, up your cals by 50-100 for the first week and work up like that. Also, it goes without saying, but make sure your calories are coming from good, healthy foods, not chocolate and crisps etc.
How would you feel about seeking advice from the doc about maintaing your weight?
Go to your doctor.
I can't promise that they will help the way you need to be helped, because I'm afraid EDs are not given the time they deserve by some GPs. I went to my GP in Jan, and I had to see her three times over 6 weeks. My BMI was 17.5 the first appointment, and 17 the next. However, on my last, she didn't weigh me. If she ahd have done, I would probably have been sent straight to an inpatient unit at hospital, because I know I must have been ill at that point as my BMI had dropped to 14.9 by the next week.
However, she was lucky in that I lied to my parents about my weight, and so no one knew. As the only medical professional monitoring me, it was a gross mistake on her part not to weigh me. But I digress. What she did do, was refer me to a psychiatrist, who I started seeing in Feb., who in turn referred me on to a dietician, paediatrician, and recently a cardiologist as well.
Your GP is your first step to getting the help you need. Even if they don't behave ideally, try, try, and try again. You deserve more than your eating disorder.
I can't promise that they will help the way you need to be helped, because I'm afraid EDs are not given the time they deserve by some GPs. I went to my GP in Jan, and I had to see her three times over 6 weeks. My BMI was 17.5 the first appointment, and 17 the next. However, on my last, she didn't weigh me. If she ahd have done, I would probably have been sent straight to an inpatient unit at hospital, because I know I must have been ill at that point as my BMI had dropped to 14.9 by the next week.
However, she was lucky in that I lied to my parents about my weight, and so no one knew. As the only medical professional monitoring me, it was a gross mistake on her part not to weigh me. But I digress. What she did do, was refer me to a psychiatrist, who I started seeing in Feb., who in turn referred me on to a dietician, paediatrician, and recently a cardiologist as well.
Your GP is your first step to getting the help you need. Even if they don't behave ideally, try, try, and try again. You deserve more than your eating disorder.
Anonymous
Right, so I've realised I've got a pretty bad problem with eating, and my bf thinks I should go to the doctor about it. I'm not sure if a doctor would actually do anything though, so does anyone have an experience with this? Don't want to waste the docs time, or get my hopes up that it might help then have the doctor be really unhelpful (which they generaly are in my experience).
Replies really appriciated.
P.S. Please keep anon, some of my family use this site.
Replies really appriciated.
P.S. Please keep anon, some of my family use this site.
Go and talk to your GP, there is a lot that they can do to help you. You have taken a positive step in realising that there is a problem there. Your GP can refer you to see a specialist if needs be who will be experienced in seeing and helping people who have similar problems to you.
Seriously go to your doctor - I took that mahossive step a few weeks ago. At first when I made the appointment I regretted it almost immediately and was considering cancelling - but I went to the appointment and after being made to feel comfortable talking to the doctor after seeking clarification on confidentiality I opened up and admitted I had a problem. The first doctor I saw didn't work for me in the 'sessions' he spent more time asking whether I was happy at my uni and happy with life than he did talking about ed stuff. When he did talk about ed stuff he would get me to come up with my own solutions and didn't understand that 5 months down the road I had lost all concept of what normal eating was. I got so frustrated with how negative the experience was proving to be that I asked for a change of doctor and now I am actually starting to go in the right direction. The second doctor is really nice and understanding. In the first session she weighed me and understood when I didn't want to know my weight - she also did blood tests. She has referred me to a dietician who helps me to develop eating plans without stretching my comfort zone too much. I now have to see the doctor every other week and the dietician once a week. They are both really supporting and not patronising in any way as I feared they would be.
Sorry I made this very orientated about me but what the moral of the story is go to your doctor - being professional they should take you seriously and if the first doesn't, ask for a second consult with a preferably female younger doctor as younger doctors will have been trained with the most up to date ED research and tend to be more understanding. Seriously it is a really good move. Really good luck with everything and if you need any more reassurance please pm me
Sorry I made this very orientated about me but what the moral of the story is go to your doctor - being professional they should take you seriously and if the first doesn't, ask for a second consult with a preferably female younger doctor as younger doctors will have been trained with the most up to date ED research and tend to be more understanding. Seriously it is a really good move. Really good luck with everything and if you need any more reassurance please pm me
I've had very bad experiences with doctors as well and there are other options. Research the charitys in your area and see what they have to offer. Depending on how old you are you might be able to get counselling for free (and hopefully not have to wait) and there should be things like support groups and advice centres that can give you a few more pointers.
I think it's great that your trying to get help, keep going with it but my advice is don't expect anything from the NHS.
I think it's great that your trying to get help, keep going with it but my advice is don't expect anything from the NHS.
Anonymous
Sorry I made this very orientated about me but what the moral of the story is go to your doctor - being professional they should take you seriously and if the first doesn't, ask for a second consult with a preferably female younger doctor as younger doctors will have been trained with the most up to date ED research and tend to be more understanding. Seriously it is a really good move. Really good luck with everything and if you need any more reassurance please pm me
Why preferably female? Even though statistics show that more females are victims of eating disorders than males, it does not mean that a female doctor will be any better.
Although, OP, if you feel more comfortable speaking to a female about this, go for it.
OP:
Good for you for realising that you have a problem and should do something about it. You will most certainly not be 'wasting the doctor's time'. They are there to help you. If you want to, you could also take your boyfriend with you for extra support and cuddles.Related discussions
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