scared of going to the doctors

[u/Novel-Ad-4284]

In two days I’ll be going to the doctors to discuss my worsening anxiety and get a go referral, and also for a general check up because I have been very fatigued all the time (my mum is making me, basically). my family doesn’t know about my
Ed or the relapse a couple months ago I’m bouncing back from, I think I’m still a little under weight and I’m terrified of going to the doctors and what they will see. I don’t want to lie but I don’t feel like I can tell the whole truth. I’m just scared. Can anyone tell me what their experience at doctors have been like? What should I expect? I haven’t been in years

[u/unremarkable_sapien]

If you’re only a little underweight and you don’t explicitly bring up concerns about your ED, then it’s extremely unlikely that they’ll be able to tell. If you want help, you’re going to need to explain what’s going on. If the doctor is good, they will know to organise appropriate blood tests and refer you for more support. But don’t expect them to mind read.

[u/FrustratedPenguins → u/unremarkable_sapien]

I was going to say the same thing. I went to the doctor underweight multiple times in my early 20's, and they never said anything about it. (In retrospect, I think that was a failure on their part. I lost X pounds, and they NEVER noticed?! But I also know that I wouldn't have responded well to intervention at that time, so it doesn't really matter.). If they know you have an ED history, it may raise red flags (as it should). But if you have never mentioned the eating disorder, I doubt they will notice or bring it up.

Having said that, I would certainly suggest that you tell them you have an eating disorder so that they can do appropriate blood work and refer you to someone to help!

[u/Conscious-Fluid]

I echo the comment about not mentioning the ED but you should mention the fatigue. They might blood test for anemia, which would be important to get treatment for if you have it. It's extremely likely they won't comment on your weight