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Depression Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to depression, counseling, sleep problems, and nutrition.
Anorexia and confidentality
by lily_75, Sep 06, 2007 01:22AM
I am a 15 year old, and I have had an eating disorder 2 years ago. I managed to self recover, but I have relapsed in January. My parents are from India and just wouldn't understand, and I am scared that my doctor will find out. I know I should try to go into recovery, but I am just not ready. If my doctor finds out about my eating disorder, will she tell my parents? I live in USA, so what are the rules for confidentiality for these things?
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If you are afraid your doctor will find out you might find that eventually she will anyway if you go in there at any point and have lost a lot of weight. The best thing to do IS to discuss this with your doctor and also tell her that you are concerned about how your parents will react and you need advice on how to handle this. Because you SHOULD get into recovery as soon as possible. Anorexia can have devastating effects on your body that can plague you later in life even if you recover. And since you are still growing it is very important to realize NOW the type of damage you are doing to your developing system. But since anorexia is not JUST an eating problem and more of an emotional issue you definitely should try to talk to someone in that field as well. Perhaps when you speak to your doctor she can point you in the right direction.
I know you said you weren't ready to recover but that is pretty much a symptom of the disease. Many people with eating disorders "aren't ready to recover" and that is why they have the disease. You have to force yourself or you will get to the point where people notice what is going on and THEY will force you to deal with it instead by intervening.
Good luck to you and please take care of yourself and seek the help you need as soon as you can. You will be happy you did when you are older and don't have a ton of health problems. :-)