Mend Your Diet - Anorexia...?

Anorexia...?

I was told by my doc that I have anorexia, OCD and depression in Dec 06 and was told i would be referred to a psyciatrist. I've had anorexia for 4 yrs and didnt know as it was disguised by a 'phobia' of food. Everyday is a constant struggle. I got a letter from the psychiatrists office in Jan 07 and told i am on a 34wk waiting list. I dont want medication. I get ifections alot. Is there any way you know that I can get help now? Thanks :)

Public Comments

Umm... Chinese food? irresistable... if not try McDonalds... unhealthy way of fattening up!
Don't be scared to take medication. It could really really help you. Life is so short, you deserve to be healthy. Can you find another psychiatrist? Go back to your family dr and tell him?
First of all you should be able to get in to see a psychiatrist sooner than 34 weeks. What you need to do is look in your phone book and find another shrink that can see you sooner. The main thing is that you have to teach your mind that you are not fat and you need to be able to look in the mirror and like what you see. This is possible. Anorexia nervosa is universally treated as a psychiatric disturbance because the disorder appears to be a compulsive behavior in reaction to a socially influenced self image. However, since evidence indicates that anorexia nervosa has an endocrinological basis, treatment with hormone supplements should prove beneficial. You also can treat yourself by taking a mutli vitamin for your body. The psychiatrist may prescribe anti depressents for you because they help in dealing with the emotional side of anorexia.
Where do you live? I am assuming the UK if you are on a 34 week waiting list, cuz in the states, you would see someone right away. I don't know what sort of health care system you deal with so I can give much advice. I hope you get things worked out soon though
Knowing you have the problem is 1/2 the battle. Don't wait for some help group to save you. Save yourself. Do w/e you did before you got this way. Stop looking at yourself in the mirror and saying to yourself you are fat, you're not. Eat 6 small meals a day. Healthy food..No junk. OCD and depression.see a doctor. It depends on how severe your symptoms are to what you need. Plus, once your body is healthy, your depression may subside.
you might need to tell your doc that it is and emergencey that you get in there. most mental hospitals have treatment for eating disorders and maybe he can put you in one of those. i have been to one they are not bad and they are not scary like you see on tv. you can get the rest that you need. if you don't want to be on meds you need to talk to your doctor about that. however they may feel that you need them. meds are also not bad either. i take them and they help me a lot. so maybe call him tomarrow and tell him what is going on and what you feel. hope this helps
I don't know what you are on a waiting list for. But don't worry about taking meds. They help! Its worth it. They clear your head so you can function on a fairly normal level. I have dysthymia and I know its weird to think that life can be anything different than what it is now but it can be different. When you have you have depression etc. you are living in this haze, and you may not even be able to see it because you can get used to it, but there are people out there who don't have to deal with that haze, and it makes living life infinitely easier. I'd encourage you to give medication a try because it really can help. As far as gaining weight goes - there are things at the Health food stores that will give you lots of calories so you can reach a healthy weight. Good luck!
Eat more, smile, and stop washing your hands
Maybe you could start looking for psychiatrists in your area on your own, instead of the one you were referred to...someone that has a shorter waiting list. You could also try looking to see if there are any support groups in your area for people with depression, OCD, or anorexia. I think if you even started trying to get help for one of those problems, it might help with all three. Sometimes, they are sort of linked. Of course, I am not a psychiatrist or a doctor. I know you also said you don't want medication, but your doctor or psychiatrist may want to start you on a medication to help with the depression or OCD. Sometimes medication and counseling together are the best way to help treat the symptoms of depression/OCD, especially if you have had it awhile and it sounds like you have, since you have had the anorexia for 4 yrs also. I don't know what your doctors will tell you to do, but in your own words, you said "everyday is a constant struggle" so I would say that if they decide to give you a medication to try, it is probably with your best interests in mind, and it might be worth a shot. After all, if you are already struggling, as you put it, maybe things can only get better from here, right? If you try a medication, and you don't like it (for example, if you notice side effects, or something), what you should do is talk to your doctor. Don't stop it right away, because sometimes that's not always safe to do, but talk to the doctor about the proper way to stop the medicine. If you are nervous about starting a medicine, you should mention that to your doctor, too, before they write the prescription. I know doctors seem busy, but I think most of them genuinely want to help you; that is why they went to medical school. I hope some of this helps. Good luck! Stay motivated. :-)
Hang in there Tammy............. there is help available that you will not have to wait for. Please follow these links to the Mind website, they will give you some information and guidance about the types of illness your Dr has said that you are suffering from http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+eating+distress.htm http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+obsessive-compulsive+disorder.htm http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+depression They are easy to read and understand, and will offer you helpful suggestions on what to do. Also use the link below to find out where your nearest local Mind Association is http://www.mind.org.uk/Mind+in+your+area/ This will be a place where you can support and help immediately. You can refer yourself, all it takes is a phone call. They are informal and very easy to access. There is a website for Eating Disorders that might help you www.b-eat.co.uk/Home and I am sure you will find some useful information on it. There may also be other mental health charities in your area that offer support. Richmond Fellowship and Rethink are the two that I would recommend. I have suffered from clinical depression for over 20 years so I do understand your constant daily struggle, and I know that it is more difficult than anyone can imagine. I have used the services of my local Mind for many years, and quite recently started working for them - which I see myself as privileged to do. So believe me, from my own personal experience, I do know how valuable and useful the service they offer is. I think you should go back to see your GP and let him know about the long wait, and that you really need help before that. Some surgeries now how CPN's (community psychiatric nurses) in them and there are also Graduate Mental Health Workers as well. A referral to them might help you bridge the gap until your appointment comes round. You need and deserve help and support now, so please seek it from the places that I have suggested. I would also say that you should, with help and support, reconsider your feelings about medication. If it helps you to cope and overcome your problems, wouldn't it make sense to try..... after all, I'm sure that if you had a physical illness and were prescribed tablets, for example heart disease, you wouldn't hesitate to take them......... please don't dismiss it out of hand. http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Making+sense/Making+sense+of+antidepressants.htm I realise that I have probably given you far too much information for you to take in at one time, but it will help you if you can try and work through it all. You need and deserve help - hopefully I have offered some suggestions that you can acces immediately and they will prove useful. Good luck and continue to be brave in your struggle to cope. Help is there, you just need to know where to look for it. Take care
Well, first of all girl, you need to find a different specialist. I have the exact same diagnosis as you do honey and it will only get worse. You can contact your local mental health office or hospital and they can direct you to someone who can help. Even a crisis hotline could help you more than sending you a fricken letter with a half year waiting list. These problems, when presented together, are designated as needing urgent treatment. They should have at least given you other options if they couldnt help you immediately. Please seek help with an agency and if all else fails go to the hospital. Ive been through this and its not fun, but you've got to start somewhere. BEST of luck!!!!
Do you have a relative or close friend that you can speak to? It sounds like you are experiencing a lot of stress and unhappiness. If you have a sympathetic doctor/GP, go and see them. If you're in the UK, think about making a private appointment with a psychiatrist - then you could be seen more quickly! I understand why you might not want medication but if you are very depressed, it really can change your life and help you to feel stronger and more optimistic. You say you've been diagnosed with anorexia; if you are not eating you really, really need help; do try and confide in a friend or family member. You could also phone the Samaritans (UK) and speak to them. There are people who can help you - don't struggle on alone.