Online Forum for Sharing Experiences: Exploring the Interactive Discussions on Eating Disorders
Watching the BBC One program 'Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia' served as a reminder for me to seek help for my own eating disorder struggles. I've been dealing with this issue for most of my adult life, and it's been constantly dismissed by medical professionals despite my efforts to seek help. This lack of care has left me with a lifelong physical health issue resulting from my eating disorder and putting me at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
I contacted the national eating disorder charity Beat using their web chat service, and here's what I experienced. To start, I joined a queue for the web chat service at approximately 17:00 on a Sunday, making me the fourth person in queue at the time. They began by asking me about my age, ethnicity, and location in the UK to determine which services would best suit my needs based on where I live.
During our conversation, I shared my history of problems with food, my unhealthy eating habits, and how my previous attempts to seek help for my eating disorders were ignored by healthcare professionals. The person I spoke to suspected that I might have both anorexia and bulimia, but it's important to note that this is not a professional diagnosis.
Beat provided me with information about their online support groups available on their site, which include a group created around COVID-19. They also directed me to their page on overturning negative decisions, which offers advice on what to do when you've experienced dismissal or neglect from healthcare professionals and want to seek the appropriate treatment. The page is full of practical advice on navigating these kinds of challenges and obtaining the help you need to improve your quality of life.
The person I spoke to also recommended a couple of books for self-help, as I expressed an interest in taking charge of my recovery myself. They suggested "Beating Your Eating Disorder: A Cognitive-Behavioural Self-Help Guide for Adult Sufferers and their Carers" and "Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa 2nd Edition: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques."
As we continued our conversation, they asked for my postal code to check if there was a self-referral eating disorder unit in my area. Unfortunately, there was no availability for adults in my region, but they did mention the possibility of an under-18s unit being available.
In summary, my experience with the Beat web chat service was helpful but not entirely satisfying, as I had expected them to be trained in eating disorders and provide a diagnosis. Nevertheless, they provided useful guidance, resources, and support options for those struggling with eating disorders. If you think you might have an eating disorder, know someone who does, or have been let down by healthcare professionals, the Beat web chat service is a good place to start. Don't hesitate to contact them for support and guidance.
References
- Beat. (2021). Eating disorders in men. https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/men
- First Steps ED. (2021). Services for males. https://www.firststepsed.org.uk/services/couples-and-families/services-for-males/
- Clinical Partners. (n.d.). Eating Disorders. https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk/specialist-services/eating-disorders
- NHS. (2021). Eating disorders. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/eating-disorders/
- Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2020). Eating disorders. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/whats-new/news/rcpsych-publishes-strategy-for-eating-disorders
In light of my ongoing struggle with eating disorders, I found solace in the resources provided by the national eating disorder charity Beat. Their online support groups, such as the one focused on COVID-19, may offer a safe space for mental health discussions related to health-and-wellness and mental-health issues.
To aid individuals like myself in navigating dismissals or neglect from healthcare professionals, Beat has a page dedicated to overturning negative decisions. This resource offers practical advice and guidance on seeking appropriate treatment, which can significantly impact one's physical health and mental wellbeing.
