Talking to your G.P

How do I talk to my GP about how I might be suffering from an eating disorder?

You can book an appointment and take a family member or friend for support, with a doctor of your choice at the local surgery you are registered with. You can specify whether you would like to see a male or female doctor.

Try to explain to the GP how you are feeling and how the eating disorder is affecting you. If you feel like you cannot tell the GP everything, explain as much as you can as it will help them give the best treatment for the eating disorder.

If you are concerned that you wont be able to put what is happening for you into words or say the words you could write it down. You can then use this as a prompt for yourself or hand it to the doctor to read so they canstart the conversation.

If you feel that the GP does not seem to understand what you are saying, or is dismissive in any way, you have the right to see another GP at the surgery.

If you want to make a complaint about any negative feelings you felt from the GP you have the right to do so. You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and confidentiality. 

Quote

 "I was so scared about telling my doctor. I really believed that he would tell me that I was too fat to have Anorexia. He said that I should tell my parents, but I didn't want to because I didn't want to let them down. Now I don't know what I would have done without them."  

What tests will the G.P do?

It is likely that they will check your BMI (body mass index). This is the ratio between your height and your weight. Your BMI will give your doctor a good idea of whether you are a healthy weight for your height.

They might also ask you questions regarding how you feel about eating and your eating patterns.

Your doctor could also ask to do a blood test.

What if my G.P doesn't understand what I'm talking about?

There are  guidelines for GPs now, which you can download on this website to look at, which advise them to refer patients with eating disorders to experienced specialists if they do not feel qualified to treat the patient themselves.

In every GPs contract it is stated:
'If the condition of the patient is such as to require treatment which is not within the of the practitioner's obligations, available as part of the hospital and specialist services, the practitioner shall inform the patient of the fact and...'

It is advised that both the physical affects of an eating disorder is treated and the emotional aspect, ie, with counselling.

What will the doctor do if they decide I have an eating disorder?

Your GP should give you the opportunity to see a counsellor to deal with the emotional side of an eating disorder, this should be offered free of charge and a number of sessions will be organised. If you are under 16 then you have the right to be offered individual counselling session, but it is encouraged in the new guidelines for GPs to involve members of the family where appropriate.

It has been found that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help sufferers of eating disorders to overcome the anxiety associated with the disorder, so this is the most likely treatment that the counsellor will offer you.

They may give you an eating plan, for example, for sufferers of bulimia GPs are advised to give an evidence based self help programme. If there are concerns about underweight patients, failing to gain weight up to a healthy weight agreed with the GP, treatment may be offered on an out-patient basis, or in more severe cases an in-patient basis.

You might also be referred to a dietician for help in eating a healthy balanced diet and learning about food. Doctors can refer you on to other professionals to help and support you such as a pyschiatrist, psychologist, community psychiatric nurse (CPN). To find out more about these different professionals can help you click here

Often people suffering from eatng disorders are also suffering from depression. It can be hard for the doctor to know whether the eating disorder or the depression developed first. Medication is sometimes prescribed for anxiety or depression to help relieve symptoms and to help a person engage in treatment such as therapy. This needs to be discussed carefully with the GP and perhaps decided with the help of a second opinion, which you have the right to discuss if needed with your GP.