The following is a telephone conversation I had this morning with a receptionist at a doctor's office:
Receptionist: "Such and Such Internal Medicine, how may I help you?"
Cassie: "Hi, I am looking for a new primary care doctor and was wondering if any of the physicians in your practice have experience with eating disorders."
R: "I'm sorry, could you repeat that last part?"
C: "Do any of your doctors have experience treating eating disordered patients?"
R: "What do you mean by 'eating disorders?'"
C: "Like anorexia or bulimia."
R: "Oh. Um, well, they're all internists, and they've probably seen patients with eating disorders before, although I'm not sure. Are you looking for yourself?"
C: "Yes."
R: "Oh. Okay. We'll see what we can do for you."
Now, maybe I'm just extra sensitive, but doesn't that conversation seem a little ridiculous? It's 2010. Chances are good at least someone in that office has encountered an anorexic or bulimic person before. I also have to add that this is the THIRD office I called. The first told me I should check with a psychiatrist, and the second simply said they didn't "deal" with eating disorders.
I don't want a psychiatrist. I don't need a therapist. I want a medical doctor to tell me if my laundry list of physical ailments is a result of past years of self-abuse, or if there's something else wrong with me. I want a physician to check my blood pressure - sitting, standing, lying down - and tell me that while yes, I royally fucked up my body, there's a good chance he can fix it.
I don't want to be humiliated every time I make a doctor's appointment. I shouldn't have to feel like a leper. Yes, I have a disease. No, I'm not contagious. Yes, I'm in recovery. No, I'm not a lunatic.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. My appointment is next week. My next issue: admitting to my dentist that I DO have a history of bulimia - which he has long suspected - and asking if all my teeth are going to fall out. Wish me luck.
my god, this sounded so familiar. and it's 12 years since. shocking.
ReplyDeletewhat i meant was, as a mom, my inquiries were handled the same way, like the emergency room dr. who told my cold-blue daughter she should "just put a sweater on." in fact, he wouldn't even look at her - he said it to me!
ReplyDeleteInsane, isn't it? Put a sweater on. I would have punched him.
ReplyDelete