Involving the Family Doctor in Eating Disorder Recovery: Is this helpful?

When someone in your family is struggling with an eating disorder, it can be helpful to assemble a treatment team of specialized professionals to collaboratively support them in their recovery. 

This team could include a nutritionist, therapist, mentor, and/or a doctor. It can be beneficial to include a physician in eating disorder recovery; however, there are key considerations to keep in mind.

The Role of a Physician in Eating Disorder Recovery

The general role of a physician in eating disorder recovery is to supervise and oversee medical complications stemming from the eating disorder, as well as to monitor physical symptoms and vital signs. They may also serve as the care coordinator.¹ numerous documented health complications can stem from eating disorders, which is why the involvement of a physician in eating disorder recovery is so important.

According to The National Eating Disorder Association, some potential medical complications of eating disorders may include reduction of bone density, possible rupture of the esophagus, slow heart rate, drop in blood pressure, intestinal obstruction, dry skin, brittle hair, anemia, and electrolyte imbalances that could cause irregular heartbeats or heart failure, leading to death.²

The Role of a Physician in Eating Disorder Recovery

The general role of a physician in eating disorder recovery is to supervise and oversee medical complications stemming from the eating disorder, as well as to monitor physical symptoms and vital signs. They may also serve as the care coordinator.¹ numerous documented health complications can stem from eating disorders, which is why the involvement of a physician in eating disorder recovery is so important.

According to The National Eating Disorder Association, some potential medical complications of eating disorders may include reduction of bone density, possible rupture of the esophagus, slow heart rate, drop in blood pressure, intestinal obstruction, dry skin, brittle hair, anemia, and electrolyte imbalances that could cause irregular heartbeats or heart failure, leading to death.²

The Importance of Including a Physician in a Patient’s Recovery

As stated above, it can be helpful and sometimes mandatory to include a physician in an individual’s eating disorder recovery. However, there are some important considerations to take into account, specifically when deciding whether to involve the family doctor or to seek a different physician. Many children and adolescents who are struggling with eating disorders can be treated in an outpatient setting by utilizing a treatment team that is often coordinated by a pediatrician. However, some children and adolescents will need a higher level of care.³

Therefore, it is important to ask your family doctor whether they have experience in treating eating disorders and if they feel comfortable being a part of the individual’s eating disorder treatment team. 

Searching for a Specialized Physician

If you decide to search for a more specialized physician, it can be difficult to know where to turn. 

As stated above, you can ask your family doctor for a referral to a doctor who has experience in working with eating disorders. Additionally, asking other members of the treatment team for physician referrals would be another way to find someone who has experience in working with eating disorders.It is also important that the treatment team agrees with the direction of the treatment plan and is willing to collaborate.

Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LGSW

Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LGSW, is a therapist who specializes in working with adolescents, mood disorders, eating disorders, and trauma survivors. Jennifer has worked in a variety of settings, including an outpatient mental health clinic, therapeutic group homes, and a sexual assault hotline. Jennifer is an expert blogger for The Huffington Post and Psychology Today.