Preparing for an appointment

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what you might expect from your doctor and a mental health professional.

You may want to ask a family member or friend to come with you. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. A family member may also be able to give your doctor a fuller picture of your home life.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

• Any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment
• Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes
• All medications, vitamins or other supplements that you're taking, and their doses
• Questions to ask your doctor so that you'll remember to cover everything you wanted to

Ask a family member or friend to come with you, if possible. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. A family member may also be able to give your doctor a fuller picture of your home life.

Some questions you might want to ask your doctor or other health care provider include:

• What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
• Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
• What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
• How will treatment affect my weight?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor or mental health professional is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• How long have you been worried about your weight?
• Do you exercise? How often do you exercise and for how long?
• Have you found any other ways to lose weight?
• Are you having any physical symptoms?
• Have you ever vomited because you were uncomfortably full?
• Have others expressed concern about your weight?
• Do you think about food often?
• Do you ever eat in secret?
• Have any of your family members ever had symptoms of or been diagnosed with an eating disorder?

Be ready to answer these questions to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on.