how do i tell my doctor about my AN?

okay so ive realized i need outside help, i am just not managing to beat this on my own. a number of you have suggested i talk to a doctor so i can get referred into some kind of treatment program.

the thing is, im very very nervous about talking to a doctor bcuz as i said b4 im afraid ill be told to just go home and try to eat enough. or that im not sick enough for treatment. i know that if this happens i should just go to another doctor. but im just pretty nervous and trying to figure out exctly what i should say to my doc when i work up the courage to go.

could some of you tell me your stories of when you first told your doctor, and what you said, and what he said, and what happened from there? i just need to know how to broach the topic to a doc, and i also need some encouragement so that i will have anough courage to go do it without worrying about what the doctor will think of me or whatever.

thanks! :)

I'd take the eating disorders quiz (check the H&S thread on ED stickied at the top), print your answers on it and give it to your doctor.  Those are probably the questions that will be asked and if you fill it out at home then you won't have to stammer through answers.

good idea...

but, wont the doctor say, 'what, your self-diagnosing yourself on the internet!?' if i bring him some questionnaire i printed off?

I think the answer is to give as full a picture as possible to your doctor so that they can see the full extent of the problem.  They can only work with the information available.  Imagine this scenario.... if you went in and said 'I'm worried because I don't eat much but otherwise I feel fine', the response would be 'go home and eat more'.  However, if you walked in and said 'I'm very worried that I have an eating disorder.  I've been keeping a food diary (take it with you to show them) and I only get xxx cals a day, I can't sleep, I'm terrified of gaining weight, I have a big list of foods I avoid, my periods have stopped, I'm cold all the time, I'm very distressed, unhappy, frightened, fainting, feeling dizzy..... etc., etc.'  You see the difference?  If you think you'll be nervous you can take someone with you for support.  If you need to write things down first so that you don't forget anything that's also a good tactic.

Doctors see all kinds of problems... some quite embarrassing, many self-inflicted... and they are trained in dealing with them non-judgementally.  They're also very used to patients getting information off the internet... this isn't unusual now.   Some doctors, however, are not as clued up as others on eating disorders.  Be prepared for that and be assertive.  If they try to say 'go home and eat more' stand up for yourself, say you're not happy with that advice and ask for a second opinion or referral to a specialist.    Very best of luck.

I just wanted to say that it takes courage and strength to ask for help, and I really admire you and others who find that strength to help themselves.

One thing I've seen, just from lurking around some of the threads about people seeking help for ED, is that you really do sometimes have to "be the squeaky wheel."  Sadly, a good portion of the medical community just haven't been trained to deal with anything relating to food and weight issues, be it disordered eating or simple weight loss.  I've read posts from people on all sides of the spectrum, and some of the advice they've gotten from "medical professionals" has been horrifying.

So I wanted to say this - you know that you have a problem for which you need help.  Do not accept any answers that you feel will not help you.  If your doctor says something like, "Just eat more" or "There's nothing wrong with you," tell him or her that those answers are unacceptable and stand your ground.  If s/he won't listen to you, then get up, walk out, and find a doctor who will.

Not sure how old you are, I'm assuming you're over the age of consent and won't need a parent or guardian to support you...if that's the case, then start calling around and see if you can find someone who's been trained to deal with ED and who can help you.   If you're not a "legal" adult yet, then find someone who will help you, be it parent, trusted friend, school counselor, or government agency.

Stay strong!  Again, I really admire your courage.  Do not give up, you deserve to be happy and healthy.