Whats Up Doc
Use this handy acronym to make sure you are up to speed the realities of eating disorders and ensure you are doing the very best for your patients.
Weight is more than a number on a scale; it represents self-worth, self-control, and status to people with disordered eating.
Height is not the only factor to be considered when determining Ideal Body Weight. A person’s frame, musculature, family history, health status, and weight and nutritional history also must be known.
Anorexia is the disorder physicians study more, but bulimia is more frequent, harder to diagnose, more secretive, and often coexists with anorexia.
Trauma is one of the precipitants for many with eating disorders. The eating disorder is a way to deal with the pain and other complicated emotions.
Side effects of eating disorders intensify gradually. Laboratory values are not the whole story. Mood, concentration, thinking, energy, social interactions, and quality of life are affected much sooner. Physicians should discuss both the psychological and physiological consequences.
Universal: Unfortunately, eating disorders are universal now affecting females of all ages, even prepubescent children and males. They cut across socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural groups in the U.K. and are now becoming more of a global problem due to the impact of the media and the internet.
Purging is not just vomiting. Laxatives, enemas, diuretics, excessive exercise, supplements, diet pills, medications, or alcohol to make one nauseous are other methods. Ask what the patient does to maintain or try to lose weight.
Dieting is almost always a precursor to eating disorders. Take this subject seriously and educate your patients about the dangers of restricted intake (such as bingeing/hypometabolism).
Office: Your office may be full of eating disorder messages. Magazines, dietary warnings, height and weight charts, comments about weight can all contribute to eating disorder attitudes.
Compassion, consistency, and care are what a physician offers to patients with eating disorders. This role is very important, but, alone, is not enough: refer to mental health specialists in eating disorders so the care can be comprehensive.
The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.
The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.
www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)
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Tips & Hints
Eat Meals with Family or Friends
A person who is anxious about eating will feel more comfortable doing so among other people they trust, such as family or friends. This...MoreKeep a Food Diary
Keep a food diary of what you eat and when you eat it to help you focus on eating regularly. Also record any episodes of going without ...MoreTake Regular Exercise
Studies have shown exercise to have a positive effect on low self-esteem and poor body image, which are widely cited as being contribut...MoreBe Patient
Unhealthy relationships with food do not develop overnight, and it can take many months and even years to regain full control over your...MoreEat Healthy Foods
The types of foods we eat are important. We all like to indulge in our favourite foods every once in a while, but we should also eat as...More More Tips & Hints
