I think I have an eating disorder, but I feel embarassed to tell my doctor about my symptoms. What should I do?
You are not alone. Many people struggling with an eating disorder feel too ashamed or embarrassed about it to tell anyone, including their doctors. Yet there are some important reasons not to let your embarrassment stop you from telling your physician or counselor. First, because eating disorder symptoms can lead to many potentially serious and even life-threatening medical risks, it is necessary to obtain a careful medical examination. Second, letting a doctor or counselor know about an eating disorder is a crucial step in the recovery process. Research has shown that telling a doctor or counselor about an eating disorder is linked with a greater likelihood of getting treatment for it. We offer the following suggestions to help you summon your courage to talk with your doctor or counselor. Keep in mind that doctors, nurses, and counselors have heard the eating disorder story many times before and are comfortable hearing detailed descriptions of the symptoms. If you do not feel you can
