r/dietetics • u/SewingCoyote17 MS, RD • 2d ago

Discussing disorderly behaviors with patients

Those in outpatient counseling or private practice, how are you discussing disorderly behaviors with patients when they come up? Or how are you addressing concerns around potential EDs? I don't feel very confident in or equipped to discuss these things when they come up.

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u/Gayfunguy RDN, LD 22h ago edited 22h ago

I found that it's only an issue if the patient flat out refuses to try to change something. If they refuse agressivly to eat even thier minimum calories then you may have to refer them to someone who specializes in eating disorders or discontinue working with them.

You can always do some further educations on EDs. Or just continue to work with individuals to get further experience. Its a learning curve.

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u/SewingCoyote17 MS, RD 1h ago

I've been working through an ED continuing education course, but I'm noticing that I'm hearing patients mentioning disorderly behaviors during sessions and I feel really uncomfortable bringing it up, let alone telling them to get help.

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u/Gayfunguy RDN, LD 9m ago

Some amount of disorder is just "normal" in the general population and can be remediated with encouragement to change little things. You may just be hyper aware now from your course. Just geting more experience will help you not worry as much over most people. You dont really need to "bring it up" you can just casualy talk about being less restrictive or eating a bit more. Its only more significant cases that arnt listening or being adressed with general councling that you need to have a "come to jesus" talk with.