Lucy’s Appeal: Eating Disorders Training For GPs

This week we stand with Beat the UK’s eating disorder charity, in their campaign to introduce proper training for medical schools on eating disorders.

At present GPs receive less than two hours of training on eating disorders throughout their entire medical degree. And one-fifth of medical schools do not provide any training on eating disorders at all.

With GPs playing such an important role in spotting the early warning signs, it is crucial they are trained to understand these complex illnesses and how they present. These warning signs often have nothing to do with a person’s weight or appearance, yet many in the medical field are unaware of this due to a lack of training in this area.

Although we understand the huge strain and pressure on GPs, eating disorders are devastating and ruin lives. With eating disorders having the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, it is clear just how important this is.

Currently, the consequences of inadequate training on eating disorders in medical schools, include misdiagnosis and delayed access to treatment for patients. With devastating effects for sufferers and their families.

Worth More Than Two Hours

We know that our GPs would like to be able to provide quality support for those with eating disorders. But we also know they need proper training in order to be able to offer this.

Today we share a recovery client’s journey to accessing support. A journey that starts with a trip to their GP, where the warning signs and a cry for help were missed.

Whilst there are many GPs who save lives through early intervention, are incredibly supportive, and we understand that intentions are in the right place, change is clearly needed. Too often signs are missed and patients are delayed or denied access to treatment. And we know that this could change with increased training on eating disorders.

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Lucy’s Experience

My first appointment

I first went to see my GP three years ago. After months of seeing my food intake decrease and my period’s stop, my mum suspected that I had an eating disorder. She took me to the doctor and explained that I was showing restrictive behaviours with food and I was over-exercising.

At this time, my weight and BMI were at a healthy level. Yet, it was quite clear that my relationship with food and exercise had deteriorated. My GP suggested that my ‘healthy weight’ was evidence that I did not have an eating disorder and that I was not underweight.

It was as if not yet being underweight was being used as evidence against me. It totally invalidated my eating disorder and I was given unhelpful advice to just ‘eat a bit more’. My doctor also suggested that it was perhaps a helpful thing that I didn’t have my period right now, as I had painful periods in the past!

This appointment essentially left me with the message that there was nothing wrong with me, and I convinced myself I should be even more restrictive. After all, my GP wasn’t concerned about my lack of periods, so why should I be?

I left the appointment feeling embarrassed and unworthy, I felt totally invalidated by this experience. It was as if the only way I’d be taken more seriously was to reduce my weight further.

The consequences

My relationship with food and exercise progressively worsened over the next two years. I lost relationships with friends and family, my social life, my personality and so much more. There was only space in my mind to think about one thing.. food! I still had no period, I was cold all the time, my hair was thinning and I didn’t even have the energy to interact with people. My mum grew more and more concerned, but I was in denial that there was anything wrong with me.

Thinking back to this point now, I strongly believe those feelings of invalidation were due to the lack of concern from my GP a couple of years ago. Something I now realise may be to do with the two hours of eating disorders training they receive in medical school.

I finally found the courage to book another appointment with my GP two years later, after reaching such a difficult place. I explained the same thing to this doctor as I did previously, but this time I was dangerously underweight.

The referral

Instantly I was referred to an eating disorder specialist. I felt relieved that I was finally going to get some help. However, I couldn’t understand why I was worthy of help now when I was in exactly the same position as before mentally. Why did I have to physically lose so much weight to get help?

Eating disorders are mental illnesses and this referral was just the start of a long journey to recovery for me. I chose to share this today because I believe our healthcare service can do better! I believe that if my GP had the right knowledge and training 2 years ago, I would have received support that was life-changing. It would have saved me from hospitalisation and several attempts at recovery.

I am just one example of the fact that eating disorders are not weight disorders. The consequences of not taking eating disorders seriously or validating only stereotypes can leave victims feeling completely invalid and lost. Sufferers of eating disorders should be able to receive support, no matter how much they weigh. A healthy BMI does not always equal a healthy relationship with food.

More training and education on eating disorders for medical schools, is crucial. It will allow sufferers to feel safer to reach out for support. I truly hope some of you will stand with me and with Beat to call for change! I strongly believe that this has the power to save lives.

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Final Thoughts

Eating Disorders Training In Medical Schools

We stand with this recovery warrior, who went through a difficult experience when initially accessing support. If you have been through a similar experience we want you to know that you’re not alone. And that your experience of an eating disorder is valid, no matter what. You are both worthy and deserving of support.

The truth is that GPs receive just two hours of training in eating disorders, which is just not enough. And if you haven’t been taken seriously by one GP or service, please ask for another. You deserve to be supported and you have options.

There are helplines, support groups, private treatment options like us and many other services. So when you are ready to find help, it will be waiting there for you.

How You Can Support The Campaign:

You can support the eating disorder awareness week (EDAW) campaign here.

#worthmorethantwohours