How do I get help?

[LittleMonster] · 10-10-2010, 08:30 PM

Okay so after a lovely few days of being fine at university it's all going wrong..again
I'm purging alot :/ I want help as I don't want this to impact my studies so much
There are counsellors & doctors on site but I had no idea what to do/say,,where to go
I'm so lost and confused..

I don't want to tell people on campus but urghh..

nowhereman · 10-10-2010, 08:38 PM

I think you should. You can't fight this alone, no one can. Tell them what you've written here. It's good that you want help, and you deserve it. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I know it won't be easy but I know you can do it.

[Pixie] · 10-10-2010, 09:24 PM

If you dont want the campus people to know could you not see an outside dr?
babes, its hard but alls you can really do is tell them what your doing.. you can get help if you dont ask..
x

MissAnonymous · 10-10-2010, 10:14 PM

Beat help finder may show some local groups?

I would see your campus GP or whoever you are registered with, they are bound by confidentiality just like any other GP so they should just refer you to the right people, it wont go through the university.

If you can build up the courage I would approach student services/welfare and explain whats going on and ask for all the info about support they can give.

Good luck xx

[LittleMonster] · 10-10-2010, 10:14 PM

I don't know.. I know we are registered to the doctor's which are outside too but have no idea how to contact or what to do
Or if I should email the counsellors, or if I should just see how it goes..

I'm really unsafe tonight
Sorry
xx

realflifefaerie · 10-10-2010, 10:16 PM

I can understand you not wanting to tell people on campus however what you say will be confidential.

Often in doctors practices related to unis there is someone with an 'interest' in mental health, could you try talking to them? If you call you should be able to get an appointment.

Feel free to pm

xxx

MissAnonymous · 10-10-2010, 10:17 PM

Email the counsellors.
And make an appointment with whatever GP practice you are with on Monday morning.
I think right now it would be a good opportunity to email the counsellors, it will give you something constructive to do whilst you are feeling unsafe and will keep you busy somewhat.

*hugs*

[LittleMonster] · 10-10-2010, 10:32 PM

Thank you guys
It's really daunting
I never go without my bf, he does the talking for me when I go to get help,, he says he will come with me but I don't see him for a month..
I won't deny I'm pretty bad right now, not been this bad for a long time

I don't know if I can open up without someone there??

xxx

MissAnonymous · 10-10-2010, 10:34 PM

Write down what you would want to convey and give it to them?

[LittleMonster] · 10-10-2010, 10:39 PM

But they might wonder what I'm doing at uni if I'm like this? Why I didn't admit it during exams/applying for uni :/ Will it jeopardise my future at this uni?
xxx

MissAnonymous · 10-10-2010, 10:44 PM

It wont now, but it could make people ask why you didnt explain your needs earlier so they could set some support up ready for you.

You dont have to say how long it has been a problem necessarily, the main issue is that it is affecting you now and you need help. Im sure anyone worth their salt would be more concerned that you get what your needing asap.

[LittleMonster] · 10-10-2010, 10:51 PM

Hmm well I guess I could explain to them why I kept it to myself, I managed to get the grades I needed despite being at my worst during exam time (so I'm quite proud tbh)

Yeah, I think there is a section on the uni's website about eating disorder's and my psychologist (who I no longer see) told me there are many people at uni with an ED so they have to have staff who understand & counsellors to help
xx

when.will.it.end · 11-10-2010, 01:59 PM

Heya hun,

they defiantly wont penalise you for keeping it to yourself, there are laws and stuff around this so that they can't discriminate against you. They have an obligation to be supportive and try and help you as much as possible. I know it's scary going to appointments on your own, have you opened up to anyone in your halls/course? I know it's really early days still so that might not be an option.

Are there any of your lecturers that you really like? Have you met your personal tutor yet?

I reckon you should try and see your GP (phone up & book and appointment) asap and try and be as honest as possible, but maybe email the counselling service as well, explain that you are really scared about getting help.

How are you today? xx

[LittleMonster] · 11-10-2010, 04:19 PM

Thank you for the reassurance
I think I'm gonna wait until my bf comes to visit me as he says he will take me especially if this continues..

I havent told any of my housemates no, they all seem to enjoy cooking and my friend always invites me to come eat with her,, so I did earlier but I made up a lie to have to go to my room after without her following :/ It was a "safe" lunch too so I don't know why it really went that way..

Urmm, I have a dinner provided tonight which I have to go to the restaurant for, I am really nervous about this. But I know, I need to keep something down as I feel so energyless and ill right now & after this 2 hour lecture I just had I realised I need to eat something otherwise I won't be able to concentrate etc etc..

I haven't met any lecturers personally yet and have met my "mentor" but they don't seem approachable.
The welfare officer comes round to see how we are and tells us just to go see them if we need help

But it just sounds so easy to get help yet I can't make myself go
I don't want people watching me, Im anxious it'll get worse like it did before if I try to reach out y'know..

I just feel like crying tbh..
Sorry I've waffled on.
xxx

[LittleMonster] · 11-10-2010, 05:35 PM

After rationalising it with myself as much as possible I have decided I need help & I WILL get some

I got an email from the uni saying if we face difficulties we should tell them a.s.ap and everything so they can help out, so with this re assurance I am gonna get some help.

Is it best to go via a counsellor at uni or straight to the dr?? I have previous emails from the NHS a month ago advising I go to ED services here, shall I take that?xx

Buttercup. · 12-10-2010, 04:50 PM

Good girl!!! I'm proud of you for making this decision.

Honestly, I believe that you deserve all the support you can get. I don't think there would be anything wrong with having a counselor at school AND working with ED services.

Either way, I think you should definitely try ED services, as they are specialized in EDs and will be able to help you more in different ways. It will be good for you to have a team of therapists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and nurses helping you. It might be good to also have the counselor at school to talk to and help you with coping at school rather than focusing on the ED.

Good luck sweetheart!

[LittleMonster] · 12-10-2010, 07:04 PM

Thankyou, I have kept a meal down today (still slipped up with a b/p session) but I still did well
I'm sat here feeling a bit uncomfortable about it, but I keep re assuring myself that it will pass
I was really shaking and so cold, I'm also ill so I know that my body needed some fuel.
I over slept today too, almost missed my lecture as I've been up a lot of the nights engaging in ED behaviours so I need to be careful of that.

I'm hoping maybe ED services (if I get referred) could notify my university for me rather than me having to tell them myself. I'm sure they would be fine about it & I'm sure I'm not the only person with an ED here to be honest so meh.

I am trying to take these steps by myself, I have a feeling I'm either in healthy weight or borderline under but I know either way it still damages the body..

I just hope they're good doctors.

xx

[LittleMonster] · 12-10-2010, 07:37 PM

**** it I failed

nowhereman · 13-10-2010, 07:16 AM

*hugs* I wouldn't worry about it too much, you're ill, you can't help doing certain things. But the main thing is that you're looking for help, that is so amzing and brave of you, and I really hope you get the help you need and deerve, don't give up ok.

[Pixie] · 13-10-2010, 06:04 PM

kate, [none of this is ment in a harsh way, im not feeling so good so im sorry if it comes out wrong babe]

Its not up to your boyfriend to do the talking for you. You have to do it, & you have to go the gps & ask for help, thats all you can do for now. If you dont then thats up to you, but if you want to get better you just have to do it.