See your GP If you are concerned that you or someone you care about is experiencing an eating disorder, it’s important to make an appointment with a medical practitioner. For most people this will be a GP, but it also includes paediatricians and psychiatrists. How to prepare for your appointment
It’s important that you find a GP who has an understanding of eating disorders. EDV can provide you with a list of GPs in your area and surrounds who may be suitable.
Ask for a double appointment when you book and mention that you are wanting an Eating Disorder Plan (EDP).
When you’ve made an appointment, it’s a good idea to start getting prepared for your appointment so you don’t feel put on the spot. It might be helpful to write down any symptoms or behaviours you’ve been experiencing, as well as any questions you might want to ask the doctor. A useful tool in preparing to see the doctor this is the Reach Out and Recover Checklist (ROAR). The ROAR Checklist outlines some behaviour, thoughts and feeling changes you may have noticed in yourself. Once the checklist is completed, the website will generate a personalized report with a summary of the information you have provided that you can take with you to the GP. For parents / carersIf you are a parent or carer concerned about a loved one, another useful tool is the Feed Your Instinct (FYI) website. Feed Your Instinct (FYI) is an interactive tool designed to support parents of children and young people experiencing different types of eating and/or body image problems. A checklist is available for parents that outlines changes you may have noticed in your child. Once complete, the website will generate a personalized report with a summary of the information you have provided that you can take with you to the GP.
Your first appointmentWhat to expect at your first appointmentThe doctor will assess your eating disorder symptoms using a range of measures to assess whether you are eligible for an Eating Disorder Plan (EDP). This will include:
taking of relevant history (biological, psychological, behavioural, nutritional, social);
assessing associated risk and any co-morbidity; and
making a psychiatric diagnosis for conditions meeting the eligibility criteria
WHAT WILL YOUR TREATMENT INVOLVE?
We will always ask you to attend an initial assessment appointment where we will talk with you to gain an understanding of your particular difficulties and circumstances. We may ask you to fill out some written questionnaires to get a better appreciation of your current problems. At the end of your assessment appointment we will discuss your treatment goals and treatment options.
Treatment usually involves attending between 10 and 20 individual sessions over a period of 3-10 months. Treatment duration will, of course, depend on the severity of an individual’s difficulties. Each treatment session lasts for 50-60 minutes.
Treatment is commonly delivered in an individual (one-on-one) format, but can also involve partners, families or close others and can also be delivered in a group format.
For the best outcome, we do recommend working alongside your psychologist to ensure that you can find stability in your life.
