Anorexia and the power of the GP.

Abstract

I’m an FY1 doctor and in recovery from anorexia nervosa. At a time when general practice is receiving a lot of negative press I would like to share my experience as a patient and how I have been inspired to pursue a career in general practice. My anorexia really took a firm hold when I left home and began studying medicine. My weight plummeted and I first saw a GP in late 2010, concerned with 9 months amenorrhoea. I completely lacked any insight into my condition at this point, but she recognised the signs and quickly made the diagnosis. I was referred to the eating disorders service where I was seen over the next 3 years. Despite this, my GP continued to see me every few weeks just to ‘check in’, and her listening and compassion at this time was a major turning point in my recovery. Determined, I tried desperately to increase my dietary intake, however, within 2 days, I found I had developed swollen ankles and huge abdominal distension, going from a UK size …