How to Select a Doctor to Treat Bulimia

The number of people suffering from bulimia is growing. The National Institute of Mental Health has recently estimated as many as 5 to 10 percent of girls and women in the U.S. live with some type of eating disorder. People who have battled bulimia for years need to seek the help of trained professionals to overcome this life-threatening eating disorder. One of the most important people the bulimic person needs is a good doctor who knows how to treat bulimia.

Instructions

Select a Doctor to Treat Bulimia

• 1

  Start with your family physician because she is familiar with your medical history.

• 2

  Ask your family doctor (or prospective doctors) about her experience with helping to treat people with eating disorders and how many people are seen with bulimia in a normal year. If the numbers are very low, ask for a referral to another doctor.

• 3

  Consider how long it may take to get an actual appointment with the doctor, because sometimes people dealing with eating disorders need quick appointments. If you have to schedule appointments 6 to 8 weeks in advance, look for another doctor.

• 4

  Learn the doctor's philosophy on treatment options and at what point the doctor believes an individual has fully recovered.

• 5

  Find out if the doctor you might select properly understands the physical and psychological sides of bulimia and if he works with other professionals to provide the proper care.

• 6

  Ask the doctor about medications used to treat bulimia and what her preferences are. Get an explanation of the goals of using medication and the possible side effects of various medications the doctor may select.

• 7

  Get a description of how the doctor works with counselors, nutritionists and other professionals who may be needed to help you overcome bulimia. Consider using the same team the doctor is comfortable working with and has experience communicating patients needs throughout the team.

• 8

  Find out who will be responsible to help you when the doctor is unavailable and what his experience is with bulimia patients.

• 9

  Watch the doctor to see if she seems willing to spend time with you to explore your battle with bulimia or is distracted by the patient load. You want a doctor to give you his full attention during the appointment.

• 10

  Select the doctor with experience in helping people with bulimia who listens intently to you and has a good team of other professionals she works with on a regular basis. Make sure the doctor respects you as a person and looks beyond the eating disorder.