Hi everyone...I have been thinking long and hard the past few days and I have come to the conclusion that the counselor that I saw was wrong when he diagnosed me a few days ago with an atypical case of anorexia nervosa.
I am not avoiding food to feel control...I have been avoiding food because I feel so sick. And also, I have been counting calories and was weighing myself a lot to try to prevent further weight loss, not the reverse..hardly typical or even atypical anorexic behavior.
I cannot deal with having a label of a mental illness that I know I do not have, so I have decided to not go back to the counselor. I have been eating a lot the past few days despite feeling sick and I resumed tpn feedings for 2 hrs a day starting today.
Just wanted to update. Jess.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- This is not a mental illness diagnosis, exclusively. There are many causes of anorexia nervosa. Some of those causes are structural, physical.
Other than the counselor you saw, no one needs to have that "label" you received but the bottom line is that an eating disorder is part of the gastroparesis with which you deal. Eating - is - disordered. If you put it that way.
Of course, there will be emotional reactions, componets from the physical situation. And, as with any person on this earth, some of those emotional componets can be adequately addressed by mental health professionals - IF - IF they are also educated about your full set of diagnoses.
If you see professionals who understood and are properly educated about gastroparesis - AND the emotional results of that - you'll be in better hands. If the professionals you see are all also LL, even better.
Remember, you are a whole person. The whole person must be treated, in concert.
I'm concerned that you've not received counseling from someone expertly educated in all areas:
gastroparesis - and "clean" cooking / shopping / eating out techniques free of additives, etc.
lyme
mental health issues that are understandable as they relate to both above -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It seems that this author / counselor has a good take on all the aspects, having gone through this herself (other than lyme).
Living (Well!) with Gastroparesis: Answers, Advice, Tips & Recipes for a Healthier, Happier Life
December 2011 - About the Author:
. . . currently the only Certified Health Counselor specializing in gastroparesis management and one of very few health professionals with both personal and professional experience with the condition. . . .
. . . Gastrointestinal Lyme disease may cause gut paralysis and a wide range of diverse GI symptoms with the underlying etiology likewise missed by physicians.
Borrelia burgdorferi, the microbial agent often behind unexplained GI symptoms�along with numerous other pathogens also contained in tick saliva�influences health and vitality of the gastrointestinal tract from oral cavity to anus. . . .
Emotional, psychological and psychiatric considerations connected to this set of neurotoxic infections. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You say: "I have been eating a lot the past few days despite feeling sick . . ."
The best all-around gastroparesis counselor would be able to instruct you better into HOW to do this, not just eating a lot to eat a lot but some tricks to it and how to work better with the TPN schedule.
If they also have education in certain "herbs as food" for digestion that would be fabulous.
A LL ND might be able to help there if you've not yet found the right combination of counselor & food coach.
NDs are well educated in anatomy, nutritional dysfunctions and how to help. Of course, a LL ND, even better. -
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
The best mental health worker I ever saw said, "I don't believe in labels, they aren't always a help."
I'm really glad you dumped that counselor. As far as I'm concerned, labels are only good for billing insurance and for trying to "intellectually" understand something.
Him calling it "atypical" was more a comment on him not knowing what to make of your situation. I think that's enough to tell you this person won't be able to help unless he takes the time to get to know you, and even then it's a toss up if he'll "get it."
It sounds like this person's approach was totally wrong for making you feel comfortable and helping you. I'm glad you're not getting sucked into the thinking that "they're the expert and know best."
You're your own expert on this. If you didn't feel comfortable with this counselor, interview a few others then decide who you want to work with.
You NEED to be comfortable with a counselor.
I hope you can find a counselor who can give you "emotional support" by getting to know you, not just going by a label in a book.
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
jessicabooklover;
Please remember that this is one persons's diagnostic impressions of you - do not dwell on that too much. Focus on getting better..
Generally speaking, if the disordered eating is the direct result of a medical condition then it is not a true clinical eating disorder. It may appear to be, but the etiology is completly different. That is why he/she is using "atypical". We use to call it Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified - which just means it does not fit into the standard diagnostic criteria.
Think of your "atypical e.d" as SECONDARY to a medical condition...
The key here is that the e.d. is/may be due to a medical condition and not a psychiatric condition. That is why we have a 5 Axis Diagnostic Coding - to report any general medical conditions that contribute to the diagnosis.
Mental Health diagnosing is very complex so try to focus on the important thing of getting better.