Complex case: anosognosia + munchausen + eating disorder
I am the parent of an adult child (21 years old) who is suffering from medical issues (including gastroparesis) and mental health issues (exhibiting features consistent with a somatic symptom disorder, an eating disorder, and even Munchausen Syndrome).
I have been in contact with NAMI and am successfully following the LEAP method (Xavier Amador, Ph.D.) to establish and maintain an open line of communication and a trusting relationship. I also work with a therapist who has treated similar patients and who coaches me and my husband when the situation goes beyond our ability to navigate on our own.
Unfortunately my daughter has reached an impasse with her medical doctors, especially her primary care physician, who have become outwardly frustrated with how difficult she is to treat (she refuses to see a psychiatrist because she doesn't believe she has any mental health issues, won't follow medical direction for anything she believes won't work, and asks for specific medical interventions she believes she needs that the doctors don't support). She is refusing to see any of her current doctors, even though she needs medical attention, because they don't "listen" to her or give her the medical interventions she believes she needs in order to survive.
Are there any medical doctors in the NYC area that are able to care for a patient with these complex issues? She needs a medical doctor that she can establish a trusting relationship with, who will "hear" her and not get frustrated with her and, hopefully, can be a partner to help us help her accept the care she really needs.
Any thoughts or suggestions on how to find a medical doctor like this would be greatly appreciated.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.
Your daughter sounds much like my mom regarding her opinion of medical providers. She doesn’t agree with any of them, though they are obviously right and are trying to save her life and mobility. I tried for years to help her get help, but her inability to accept the reality of her condition and accept treatment has proven too great. I have accepted that her decisions are hers and let her alone about it. She has really suffered, but remains adamant. I did make her an appointment for mid month and told her the time. She didn’t say anything. So, she’ll probably cancel.
I realize your daughter is a top priority. This must be so difficult. Have you discussed it with an attorney? Is she competent? Good luck with finding some help.
Your daughter needs to surrender her agency- her power, ability to make decisions- to health care providers so her health improves. This also involves being informed about her comorbuties being able to ask questions' not dictate to the providers what she wants. I hope at some point she would be able to participate in her treatment plan. I am very sorry she and you are in thus situation. Thus sounds rather self destructive.