I went to cbt today (which focuses on the anxious and depressive thoughts I have) and she wants me to have higher intensity treatment.
She also said “obviously in terms of how are you , bmi and what have you, you wouldn’t fit the ed service criteria.”
Well. Screw the system then.
Anyone who reads this and is from the UK can hopefully testify that the nhs system for eating disorders basically waits until you are on deaths door to help you. My parents and gp went to a lot of effort to get me seen by them back home, even though I had an underweight bmi, felt like crap and lost my periods. Although I know the system usually only allows for the most physically affected patients, her saying this has caused me to feel fat and disgusting.
Since September I have lost most of the weight I regained through my “rapid recovery” , which was in fact just my ed developing into bulimia.
I have so much more to say about how hurt and stressed out I am, but I just can’t find the words to say it. It’s been going on too long, I want to reach my weight goal and be done with it.(I’m well aware my last sentence basically screams disorder as in realistic terms I won’t ever be happy,)but whatever, I’m just sick of it all.
That’s so unfortunate! I would have felt the same way if someone had told me that. A part of me is scared to seek treatment simply based on the fear of someone telling me I don’t fit the criteria to be treated at residential level. I’m sorry you are struggling. xoxo
It is so stupid how being underweight or even having lost a lot isn’t enough. You have to be massively below the an criteria and even then, unless the referral is considered medically urgent they turn you away. I waited over a year for 8 weeks of outpatient therapy last time! Xx
You and I both know the NHS is bullshit and that we don’t need to be ‘sick enough’ to be ‘sick’ or even to have a problem. ❤
Thank you. I’m glad I’m not alone in having slow, unhelpful experiences with them! Just takes forever and even once there it doesn’t feel worth it! x
Have you managed to work out what triggers some of them yet?
Yes 🙂 I find they have lessened as I have become moe able to articulate how my ed makes me feel, but social foo situations and things like that are obviously still triggers…