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Times I was denied treatment because of my BMI:
1. When I was 12, my parents took me to the GP. He said "You have an eating disorder" but sent me away with no help because I wasn't underweight.
2. At age 13 through to 15, I consistently went to the GP struggling with physical conditions as a result of my ED. Not once was I ever referred to CAMHS, because I was "physically stable".
3. At age 17, my mum took me to CAMHS. Within 2 minutes they told me I didn't have an eating disorder and the appointment lasted less than 15 minutes.
4. At age 18, I went to the GP at Uni as I was collapsing during the day. The GP said I wasn't quite at the BMI threshold where I could get help.
I went away and lost more weight, when I went back I was critically unwell.
I went away and lost more weight, when I went back I was critically unwell.
5. When I was discharged from hospital, the crisis team didn't know what to do with me. As soon as I was "physically stable", I was discharged without a formal ED diagnosis (I was still severely underweight).
6. I moved to Birmingham in 2018 and tried again to get help. I was told I couldn't get help because my BMI wasn't low enough. When I saw the GP in severe struggle, they got me an "urgent" appointment. I never got the phone call...
7. I then moved to Milton Keynes last year. Once again I tried to get help and again was told "I'm sorry but you don't fit our funding criteria". Once again, I was left without help because of my BMI.
8. I am now facing the decision to either try again with a service I know will reject me, try out of area who will probably also reject me, or give up on NHS treatment. I cannot afford private and at the moment got declined for PIP because I'm "not unwell enough".
When we say there is stigma and discrimination based on BMI, we mean it. Things have to change.
The worst part is that I know a 12-year-old in my position today would have exactly the same experience as I had 12 years ago.
The worst part is that I know a 12-year-old in my position today would have exactly the same experience as I had 12 years ago.
