Because an eating disorder does not like to be challenged; and, because it prefers to live in shrouded denial, rather than open discussion, it took me a while to recognise the importance of a good GP.

The first few said the wrong things. The next few just didn’t get me. And the one I have now is a total godsend. It is possible to work with, rather than against, the health profession.

Whilst my eating disorder was punctuated by long GP-less spells and a general wariness of anyone whose name happened to be preceded by DR; my current GP is dispelling a lot of my assumptions; and, a more objective me is recognising just how important it is to get a little support in place, particularly when you’re playing Russian Roulette with your health –
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Treatment is a subjective experience. It may be dictated by prescription – but its success is down to how it works in relation to you.

I’m sure that an official spiel for each specialism is readily available; so, to try and be a little useful in my own special way, the following section looks at the different treatments I’ve had – conventional, unconventional and things that aren’t “treatment” but seem to help – and how they’ve made a difference.

It also comes with a few very big and very painfully learnt lessons…

Honesty is paramount – if you’re not being truthful, you can’t treat the real problem.

Time heals – don’t give up if the impact’s not immediate.

• Inpatient Treatment
• Family Therapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Counselling
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• DIY Self Help
• GPs
• Nutrition and Body
• Medicines and Medication

I wasn’t a great fan of CBT – until I looked back at my recovery and realised that I’d been using the techniques all the way along.

The diarising and emotional detecting and practical planning have obviously been worth the effort because the moment I wobble, the positive voice kicks back in; and, whenever I take the next step, I go back to the tools and tips that have got me this far.

Unlike traditional therapy, you don’t have to keep paying out every time you need to sort a few things out. Once you’ve mastered the techniques, you’re equipped for life.
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A few years ago, I would have slammed the treatment for eating disorders. I would have blamed my failed attempts at recovery on professional incompetence, medical ignorance – and the government’s failure to provide an adequate national health service.

A few years ago, I would have said that nobody could help me. When you’ve tried everything from inpatient to outpatient – via day therapy and 24 hour guard – within private, public and locked facilities; delivered by doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, specialists, hypnotherapists …well, you start to feel that all the options have been exhausted.

Today, I can say that the latter’s not true – and that I’m probably not milky white in relation to the former.

The treatment for eating disorders is not, as I’d liked to have believed, fundamentally flawed -

I didn’t really help myself.
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I am not a doctor, as you may have gathered.

I am completely unqualified to advise anyone on the pros and cons of anti-depressants, or the chemical constitution of psychiatric drugs, or whether Prozac will make you better or Paroxetine screw with your head –

I just come with two pieces of advice:

Talk to your GP because everyone’s different.

If you can, make your own mind up about using medication. It’s important to feel that you’re in control of the decision and that you’re making it for the right reasons.
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Inpatient units are slightly different to other forms of treatment. Chances are, if you’ve reached this point, the choices have been reduced – in which case, inpatient treatment can save your life – but, if you’re just considering options –

Inpatient treatment made me do things that I wanted to do on my own but couldn’t quite manage.

It forced me to change – in the hope that, once I’d gone through the process, the outcome would speak for itself.

Plus, it kept me alive; and, somewhat perversely, the desire not to go back had a huge impact on my recovery.
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If you’re hoping for Paul McKenna style puppetry, you might be a little disappointed. Hypnotherapy didn’t re-wire my brain or miraculously uncover the ‘big reason’, as I’d kind of been hoping for.

It did, however, shake things up.

A compete re-wire was not on the cards – but some subtle re-programming helped.

Hypnotherapy may not provide all the answers – but it shows you that they’re already in there.

And it helps you to decipher the code.
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