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By: Jennifer Rollin, LCSW-C, Therapist & Founder of The Eating Disorder Center  As someone who is pregnant, I've been going to a lot of doctor's appointments lately. They commonly ask about the history of medical issues in my family. However, not once has someone asked me if I have a history of struggling with an eating disorder. Additionally, a few times they have made diet culture comments in my appointments that have the potential to be triggering to people actively struggling with an eating disorder or who have a history of suffering from an eating disorder. I do not find myself feeling triggered by these comments at this point as someone who is recovered from an eating disorder, but I experience them as frustrating. I also want to acknowledge that I have straight-sized privilege, so I know I am getting far less comments than many folks in larger bodies face at the doctors office. I have pictured people actively struggling with eating disorders having to face these same comments from medical professionals and that fills me with concern. Now, I don’t say this to scare people away from going to the doctor. Medical monitoring during eating disorder recovery is important and I have been able to connect and collaborate with some wonderful eating disorder informed doctors. However, there are not enough doctors who are informed about eating disorders and I believe that the consequences can be dire. It’s important to learn how to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office, as you deserve access to medical care. While no one should have to become their own advocate to receive quality medical care, unfortunately this is often needed. The following are some tips for coping at the doctors when you are in eating disorder recovery. Tips for Coping at the Doctors in Eating Disorder Recovery: 1. Advocate for Blind Weights (Or Skipping the Scale) at the Doctor’s Office. It’s your right as a patient to request blind weight checks, where the number isn’t disclosed to you, or to stand on the scale backward during appointments. While some doctors may not be familiar with this request, it’s crucial to communicate your needs. Additionally, you are also able to deny stepping on the scale entirely. Some nurses may give pushback, so come up with a plan with your eating disorder therapist regarding how you will handle that. You may also find that the weight is included in the patient portal, so preparing a plan for how to handle this (or try to avoid it) in advance can be helpful. If asking for blind weights or avoiding the scale entirely feels intimidating, consider asking your therapist for a note to support you in this request. At The Eating Disorder Center, our therapists are always ready to advocate for our clients. 2. Practice Setting Boundaries. It’s important to note that this is entirely up to your personal comfort level if you share with your doctor that you have an eating disorder. Of course you do not have to disclose your mental health status or history to anyone, if you do not wish to do so. However, it might be helpful to practice setting boundaries at the doctor’s office by sharing things like, “I’m in recovery from an eating disorder, so please do not make comments on my weight or talk to me about food choices.” Of course, we cannot control if others respect our boundaries. However, it’s great practice in standing up for ourselves and becoming our own advocates! Additionally, if you are finding that you are voicing boundaries and a doctor is not respecting them, that is likely a sign that you’d benefit from finding another medical professional (if you are able to access someone else). 3. Create a Cope Ahead Plan With Your Therapist. In Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, we use a skill called a cope ahead plan. This is where you start to explore potential triggers, coping strategies, your support system, and coping statements that you can use when you anticipate that you’ll be in a difficult situation. Having a plan in advance for how you will cope if a doctor’s appointment ends up being triggering can help to instill confidence. You Deserve to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctors! I know it can be hard to find eating disorder informed and compassionate providers. However, I just want to remind you that you deserve to feel safe enough with your providers. If your doctor is not respecting boundaries, is engaging in unhelpful diet or weight related talk, or you are not feeling that they are not empathetic towards you, you are well within your right to find a different provider (if you are able to access one). Your mental health is a crucial part of your overall health and finding providers who are compassionate and knowledgeable is important. Schedule a free 15 min consult for eating disorder therapy in MD, VA, DC, NY, FL, PA, or recovery coaching worldwide. Click here. The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in New York (NYC), Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com
Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching: How It Can Be a Game-Changer For Eating Disorder Recovery10/14/2024
By: Jennifer Rollin, LCSW-C, Therapist & Founder of The Eating Disorder Center  Eating disorder recovery coaching (alongside eating disorder therapy) helped me so much in my own past recovery from an eating disorder, which is why my practice offers coaching with our amazing recovery coaches. I believe that eating disorder recovery coaching can truly be a game-changer when it comes to recovery, providing additional support (including email or text support between sessions), recovery tools and tips, and action oriented recovery strategies. The Difference Between Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching and Therapy:
What Sets Our Eating Disorder Recovery Coaches Apart:
Reach Out for a Free 15 Minute Consultation With a Coach! In my own eating disorder recovery, at times I knew what I needed to do, but it was hard to put the recovery actions into place. I really needed as much support and accountability as I could get. Adding a recovery coach to my team who was present-focused and action oriented and who I was able to email between sessions truly changed things for me in my own past recovery. This is why I am so passionate about The Eating Disorder Center providing eating disorder recovery coaching to teens and adults worldwide! Click here to schedule a free 15 min consultation with an eating disorder recovery coach. Schedule a free 15 min consult for eating disorder therapy in MD, VA, DC, NY, FL, PA, or recovery coaching worldwide. Click here. The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in New York (NYC), Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com
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The Eating Disorder CenterWe are a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center in Rockville, Maryland.
We also provide eating disorder recovery coaching to people worldwide via Zoom. Click here to book your free 15 minute phone consultation! Phone: 301-246-6856 Email: [email protected] Archives
December 2024
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