"Speaking to a real person made the biggest difference"

I had an appointment for gastro issues with my GP at Maryhill Group Practice. After a few questions the practitioner brought up that my medical records mentioned a possible eating disorder.

She was incredibly down to earth and sensitive about it, and spoke to me as a person rather than a patient. She gave me some advice and was very positive the whole time.

She then suggested that I might like to speak to someone, so I agreed and a week later had a therapy-like session with a different individual. I hated it. I felt like I hadn't been listened to, and that she was just using checklist questions to make assumptions. I of course understand that this is a set process for mental health issues, but I left feeling awful. I was given a sheet of paper explaining body dysmorphia, and I never went back.

However, the first practitioner had given me great advice, and since then I have picked up the hobby of running. I ran a half marathon last September, and gained confidence from the sport. Almost every day I think about writing a letter to thank her, Id love for her to know just how much I appreciated how she spoke to me during that appointment and that I think about it often.

We need more individuals like her in health care.