On the same page, literally, with the doctor
Early recognition and intervention offers the best chance of eating disorder recovery, but what if the doctor isn't an expert or specialist? Finally, a tool with current, authoritative, and helpful information: a way to keep the family and the medical team on 'the same page,' literally:
Academy For Eating Disorders Critical Points for Early Recognition and Medical Risk Management in the Care of Individuals with Eating Disorders.
I have been watching this project as it developed and was midwifed through all the necessary channels and processes and I've cheered all the way. I am deeply grateful to the committee who developed it, to the Academy for making it happen, and to all those who will be helping to distribute it. I have been looking forward to this for a long time and enthusiastically throw myself into the efforts to get this document in the hands of physicians and all eating disorder treatment team members: including parents.
This document is a significant and truly effective step forward. This is the 'page' that we all need to be on, together!
Academy For Eating Disorders Critical Points for Early Recognition and Medical Risk Management in the Care of Individuals with Eating Disorders.
I have been watching this project as it developed and was midwifed through all the necessary channels and processes and I've cheered all the way. I am deeply grateful to the committee who developed it, to the Academy for making it happen, and to all those who will be helping to distribute it. I have been looking forward to this for a long time and enthusiastically throw myself into the efforts to get this document in the hands of physicians and all eating disorder treatment team members: including parents.
This document is a significant and truly effective step forward. This is the 'page' that we all need to be on, together!
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI 150% agree. I am off to write my letter of thanks to AED.
What an incredibly valuable document. It should help prevent much misery and physical suffering. Thanks to all who were involved.
ReplyDeleteLaura-Tried to write, but it seems I have to join as an affiliated member at a rather hefty cost. Is there a way to send a thank you letter without having to join up?
ReplyDeleteI am glad that professionals will get this useful information.
ReplyDeleteAs a person beginning to recover from anorexia, I know how easily it can be to lie to a doctor and go undetected. For 6 years, my BMI was at or below 17.4. It is just jaw dropping the number of times i've gotten away with lying to a doctor when they ask me, "When was the last time you got your period?" As soon as I give them the right answer, they move on to another subject.
At the hospital, I was weighed with my purse, shoes, coat and clothes before my gallbladder surgery. Btw, it's hardly ever mentioned that not eating might cause damage in that area.
I also think that college health clinics should get this information. During my first appointment, I filled out the paperwork and it asked a couple of eating disorder screening questions. Were they really expecting someone to answer honestly? I was also not weighed! The doctor just asked me how much I weighed.
I thought it was a trick question. Right next to her there was a poster with the BMI chart. I picked out a healthy weight and told her that I weighed 10 pounds more than I weigh and she just wrote it down. I felt guilty afterwards because I lied.
But then when you have this disorder, you second guess yourself so much. I guess I didn't look sick enough for her to notice.
It wasn't within my frame of mind, at the time, to consider that maybe the doctor wasn't informed about the disorder.
At that visit, I had low blood pressure, I was shivering and the nurse couldn't find my vein 3 times. She had to rub my arm. I told her I was sorry and she tried to make me feel better and told me that it happens all the time.
I also learned that telling the nurses your sorry makes them tell you and your symptoms that it's "ok."
My friends said they don't get weighed at our college campus clinic too. Why aren't college health clinics required to weigh every student that comes in?
I am working on getting better now but my concentration and focus is still all over the place. I hope some of this made sense.
Anon--
ReplyDeleteYou make a lot of sense.
My sister, who is now a doctor and a bright, capable, lovely person (not one that treats ED's however), suffered for a number of years with AN. This was years ago now, but even back then she was amazed that no doctor ever questioned that she might have an ED. They never asked her the right questions or gave her the right diagnostic tests. My poor parents knew something was wrong and took her to many different doctors, but she was never properly diagnosed even at really good teaching hospitals. She said not long ago that she KNEW what was wrong, but was too ashamed and embarrassed to tell the doctors about her behaviors. She felt really guilty about what she was doing to herself, but it prevented her from getting help rather than helped her get it.
I wish you all the best as you recover.
I am an AED member and know the committee members, and I'd be happy to pass on your messages!!
ReplyDelete