Psychological Assessment & Diagnosis
Initial Medical Assessment
Urgent Care
Further Medical Assessments
When to Worry
Discussing Weight
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Urgent Care
If a person needs urgent medical attention, but cannot access inpatient care, then frequent medical monitoring in the community is imperative
See: Medical Monitoring: Routine Check-up for routine investigations.
Ensure that:
- An appropriate treatment team is in place
- Set up a case conference with the team, as indicated Develop an escalation plan
- Practical supports are available to the person (i.e. family, carers)
- Meal support is available
Important things to consider:
- Multi-vitamins and thiamine
- Risk of refeeding (low but can be mitigated)
- Further investigations, as indicated, at own pace (see Further medical assessments)
- Medications
- SSRIs may be beneficial in the treatment of co-occurring depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Low dose of olanzepine may be helpful in anorexia nervosa, when patients are severely anxious and demonstrate obsessive eating-related ruminations.
- Liaise with local specialist service - let them know what you can and cannot manage
- Weekly or bi-weekly appointments are essential to conduct ongoing medical monitoring.
- Liaise with local specialist service - let them know what you can and cannot manage
- Discuss with a colleague and seek support from an eating disorder GP special interest group