eternalpeace
Student
- Dec 19, 2021
- 139
I followed the common advice and went for "help". (Many times over the years). I know it's a process, and it's difficult in an over-stretched, publicly funded system, but I am massively frustrated right now.
Today I had an "intake" appointment at the Eating Disorder Centre. (I had been a patient before, with a great counsellor, but after I was hospitalized for another condition they wanted a new referral and I had to wait 9 months for a new "intake". Not sure why they needed a new referral, since they were coming to the hospital to talk to me and consulting with the Drs constantly while I was there, but, ok…)
During this new "intake", they (Dr and two clinicians) started off by saying they didn't know if they could help me (great beginning to a conversation), and asked where I was "at", and whether I wanted to see a dietician. I was honest about the fact that I am fasting, and would not be prepared to do the whole "3 meals/2 snacks thing" as it just makes me hungrier, but I would be willing to talk to the dietician about making a move to OMAD or 5/2 fasting.
The Dr said the dietician wouldn't be up for that, that the Centre is no longer offering individual counselling at all, just groups, and that the groups are basically the same as other (non-ED focused) programs that I have already completed.
Then she started talking about my other mental health diagnoses, and said it is standard policy in eating disorder treatment to address any other mental illnesses before the eating disorder, unless the person is medically unstable. She pointed out that I had been medically unstable in the past, but I'm not right now, though she emphasized that she was worried I would become medically unstable again if I didn't get treatment. She must not have been that worried because in the next breath she said she wasn't going to make a follow-up appointment, and that I should talk to my psychiatrist about any concerns.
The irony of all of this is that my psychiatrist, after providing many different treatments, concluded that the eating disorder was the biggest problem, and needed to be addressed in order to make progress on the other issues.
So expert A is telling me they can't help and I that need to go see expert B, and expert B is telling me they can't help, and that I need to go see expert A…I can't afford a therapist in private practice, so this is the end of the line. As frustrated as I am, I am still glad that I kept trying all these years. I think I put in a solid effort.
Today I had an "intake" appointment at the Eating Disorder Centre. (I had been a patient before, with a great counsellor, but after I was hospitalized for another condition they wanted a new referral and I had to wait 9 months for a new "intake". Not sure why they needed a new referral, since they were coming to the hospital to talk to me and consulting with the Drs constantly while I was there, but, ok…)
During this new "intake", they (Dr and two clinicians) started off by saying they didn't know if they could help me (great beginning to a conversation), and asked where I was "at", and whether I wanted to see a dietician. I was honest about the fact that I am fasting, and would not be prepared to do the whole "3 meals/2 snacks thing" as it just makes me hungrier, but I would be willing to talk to the dietician about making a move to OMAD or 5/2 fasting.
The Dr said the dietician wouldn't be up for that, that the Centre is no longer offering individual counselling at all, just groups, and that the groups are basically the same as other (non-ED focused) programs that I have already completed.
Then she started talking about my other mental health diagnoses, and said it is standard policy in eating disorder treatment to address any other mental illnesses before the eating disorder, unless the person is medically unstable. She pointed out that I had been medically unstable in the past, but I'm not right now, though she emphasized that she was worried I would become medically unstable again if I didn't get treatment. She must not have been that worried because in the next breath she said she wasn't going to make a follow-up appointment, and that I should talk to my psychiatrist about any concerns.
The irony of all of this is that my psychiatrist, after providing many different treatments, concluded that the eating disorder was the biggest problem, and needed to be addressed in order to make progress on the other issues.
So expert A is telling me they can't help and I that need to go see expert B, and expert B is telling me they can't help, and that I need to go see expert A…I can't afford a therapist in private practice, so this is the end of the line. As frustrated as I am, I am still glad that I kept trying all these years. I think I put in a solid effort.
