Hi everyone,
Im so glad i've found this place and yeah,you've probably heard that one a thousand times! lol At the moment im on a waiting list to receive counselling to try and deal with my food problem once and for all and I just wanted to know if any of you have found this helpful at all? Did you find that it helped your problem permanantly? Its going to cost me quite a bit of money so I dont want to waste it if its not going to work. I live in the UK and counselling isn't such a big thing over here so its not that easily accessible and I really felt embarrassed in 'fessing up to my Doc as to why I needed to see someone.

I've been in therapy since the beginning of March. I've found it extremely helpful. Ive attempted counseling in the past, but never stuck with it past 3 appt's....this time, I want to do it, I need to do it....so I think as long as that's your mentality, you're good to go. I wish you the best!!!!

Mamita, I've been seeing a psychiatrist for about three years, but it's primarily to deal with my depression. Which DOES affect the way I eat, but we don't specifically address my eating problem. That's a "side-issue", you know?

Don't be embarrassed about talking to your doctor. This is your life and your body, and you're entitled to be well.
I hope you find a good therapist... it's so important to find one who you're comfortable with.

I have a fantastic family Dr. who sympathized with my eating issues. I just had a hysterectomy and so we said once that was out of the way and I was mended I would come back in for a full on talk about what WE were going to do about my weight.
I found a weight loss management Dr. whom I needed a referral to, and my family Dr. was only to happy to send me there. this other Dr. does councilling, and indepth research into ME. She checks my blood even for any medical reasons I would have trouble with weight loss.

I've been going to counseling on and off for years for my many many issues. Some of them were helpful, and some were just... not. My experience that the best counselors are the ones that you can just have coffee or go for a walk and chat with . I haven't had very good results with psychiatrists (psychologists?) who just give me tests and analyze me, but don't want to hear about WHY I feel the way I do. That's just what works for me though, I hope you can find someone to help you!

I know exactly what you mean. The therapist Im seeing now is like a friend/mother figure. We talk about my life, school, my son, work...etc. Its been great so far!

I have various experiences with therapist/ doctors- good and bad.
Because I always had to deal with variuos issues, I canīt exactly say that one of them helped me with the food issue.

But I would highly recommend to have a close look at your counsellor. It could be a great help but it could be dangerous as well. I would ask what kind of therapy he/she is doing and maybe google it. There are some therapy techniques that are the opposite of helpful for some people.

Btw,I live in Germany and here is seeing a counsellour not usual. So I know how you might feel.
Sometimes the insurances pays the shrink here. And then you are allowed to "test" a few. As far as I know you can go to a doctor for three times and then you can decide if he/she is the right one. If you canīt handle the counsellor, you can try the next. Maybe itīs the same in the UK.

I have been going on and off for 15 years. My first one I stuck with a long time despite the fact I knew he was wrong for me... ( self esteem issues, that he made worse)
There are weeks I don't want to go, I don't feel like talking or I don't want to deal. Those are the weeks I seem to leave with more healing and "ah huh" moments.
It was the best thing I ever did!

Thanks for all your opinions. I suppose it cant do me any harm to go a few times and see how I feel? If for example I decide that either my therapist and I dont 'click' I dont think i'll be able to ask to see someone else because as I mentioned before its not a big thing over here as such. Im keeping my fingers crossed that when I finally make it to the top of the waiting list that I will feel somesort of benefit. Im not really one to want to burden people with my problems so I do tend to keep things inside which I cant imagine is helping matters. Anyway, i'll let you all know how things went. One thing I have picked up on though is that everyone here has said its mostly a positive thing and I hope it does help me.

Mami X

If you get a lousy therapist, don't be afraid to dump him/her. One of the psychiatrists our daughter went to see was an absolute NUT, and we quit her services after three sessions. A bad therapist can be worse than nothing.
And let it all out! They can't help you if you don't talk.
Let us know how it goes, Mami. Thinking about you...

I have been off and on over the years, but also haven't stuck with it for very long. It is really hard to talk to someone like that...face to face...about stuff you feel like is really super personal. But if you can find the right counselor, then I think it will give you the confidence and help you need. I would go back myself, but it just costs too much. So, when you go, it may feel really uncomfortable at first, but just don't give up...unless you are just don't feel comfortable with your counselor. I hope it goes well for you! Good Luck

Thanks for all the good advice. Well I did get my appointment through the other day,this isn't the private counselling- I was referred via my Doctor. He told me originally that there are NO facilities to treat eating disorders in the county I live in!! Can you believe that!?? Anyway, im seeing a psychiatrist which im not sure he'll help because I dont think that they specialise in eating disorders? and I know that I dont suffer from mental illness(in the conventional sense) so how this guy can help me I have no idea...

my therapist is not an ED specialist either......but I gave her a try and I like the results so far. If you think about it the ED is just how we've manifested our issues.....in others its anxiety, alcohol abuse, drug abuse.....just some thoughts. I hope it works out for you!