A
female
age
26-29,
*ustme..x
writes:Dear Cupid, the way I feel is beginning to scare me. I’ve been feeling very very low for about 18 months; I am aware it’s a problem and am doing my best to cope. I went to the doctor about a week ago but found she was unhelpful and pretty unpleasant, so I am aiming to get some councilling through my school as I did last year. My problem is I’m worried about how much it’s affecting other, more physical things. Before, I did have symptoms, but they were much less major than now, for example, bad dreams and struggling to sleep, loss of energy, loss of confidence, slight lack of appetite etc etc. But now, it’s pretty out of hand. I can’t eat. It’s so scary! I’m not saying I’m anorexic – I don’t have any ideas or delusions about my size or appearance, and I’m not scared of food. It’s hard to explain. Often when my depression is worst, it’s triggered by stress, and when I’m stressed or nervous, I’ve always felt a little sick – just one of those things. But now, I’m stressed pretty much all the time, and I feel very very sick from all the stress or sadness inside me, and I can’t eat. And then I get into a viscious circle: the worse I feel, the more I can’t eat, and the more I can’t eat, the worse I feel. When food is in front of me I retch. I can’t taste it properly. I gulp down so much water every day because it stops my mouth from retching. But, logically, in my head, I know I’m not REALLY ill. And I know I won’t REALLY be sick. It’s like I trick myself. Often I can only eat when I am utterly distracted from the fact I’m eating and the trigger of my stress – I often read something desperately to try and distract myself and force something down.Now, I don’t want to give the wrong impression – I’m not starving myself to death; I DO eat. But nowhere near enough, nowhere near what I should be eating. And it’s scary because I can’t help it, and it’s such a horribly serious problem, you know? I try my best to eat, of course. I have no idea what to do about it. I’d be grateful for any advice. Thanks for reading. x
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male
reader, Fatherly Advice  +, writes (16 April 2010):
 Yes, yes.
If one doctor doesn't connect with you, or one counselor, try another. just let the new doctor know what you are doing. Say, "I was not happy with the way Dr. so and so handled this, can you help . . .". We have we have three doctors and two Nurse practitioners in my small town. For personality reasons alone I won't work with two of them. Mental health issues are even more sensitive.
I'm supposing your parents are in on this. At your age they should be involved. Things happening at home will affect your treatment.
FA
A
female
reader, Tess12  +, writes (16 April 2010):
I am SO very sorry you feel this way but don't feel alone, many are like you both teenagers and adults too. You are a smart person who has recognised your symptoms. Don't worry about that doctor, get help as the others responding have said. I went through something similar with exactly your symptoms and some worse, like waking in agonising sweats and waking early each morning. I went to see a psychologist who diagnosed what is called 'exogenous depression' as I had been under a lot of stress. The treatement? Anti-depressants, carefully monitored by a doctor who specialised in depression, together with counselling from a qualified psychologist. It is an ILLNESS. It can be treated successfully. It was explained to me why anti-depressants were needed, how they worked and how long I would have to stay on them to retrain my brain to take up/make enough of the chemical seratonin to feel normal again. Twelve months. Not six weeks until I began to feel better like some GPs who don't specialise in these areas would give over here in Oz. At the end of the treatment? I am back to 'normal', happy, no symptoms and no tablets or treatment. You have an illness, which is very treatable and very common. GOOD LUCK! You will be fine if you take action as you are doing :)
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A
female
reader, DrPsych +, writes (16 April 2010):
 Some doctors are utterly rubbish at dealing with teenage mental health issues. You cannot teach interpersonal skills to medical professionals as much as medical school may try to drill them into practising good bedside manner. At your GP surgery there will be several doctors and I suggest you take a look on their website as it may give some indication of their special interests. Alternatively ask the receptionist if there is a doctor in the practice dealing with mental health issues. From what you have written it would certainly seem that you have a mood disorder (depression and anxiety are often found together in patient's with eating disorders). You need to ask for a referral to the CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health service) within your area. You are entitled to free psychiatric treatment under the NHS patient charter. It is here at CAMHS you would have access to specialists who deal with young people who feel just like you everyday and will treat you sympathetically. You have every right to ask for a referral and take a parent or adult-friend with you to your GP appointment if you feel scared or worried about asking for help. There are plenty of treatments available and you have made a really important step in recognising that you have a problem that needs treating. Please get help from the CAMHS people because they could make a big difference to your quality of life.
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A
female
reader, terrifenby +, writes (16 April 2010):
 Make another doctors appointment and say when you ring up that you want a different doctor. You need proper help before this gets worse. Some doctors are useless but that should not put you off going back. When you do go back complain to the new doctor about the one you saw before because she should have helped you not made you feel uncomfatable. I suffer the same as you do so if you would like to private message me and we can talk about the way i have been helped then please feel free to do so! I hope i have been of help. Dont be afraid to talk to people. :)
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