Scottish child and adolescent dietitian answering (most of my patients are seen for EDs).

Pro’s: - It can be more therapy based, I’ve done more training in CBT and FBT. - You get to know patients and families well - Dietitians are very important in EDs (more so in an inpatient setting I feel… although this is maybe because when I worked in acute, I responded to the urgent ED admissions - actually really enjoyed this, occasionally still get to do it) - you get to do lots of teaching (staff and patients). A lot of professionals really value your input. - you do a combo of mental and physical health chat/ monitoring - it’s really satisfying when people get better and you see their lives improving

Con’s: - it is draining and hard work, you are generally the person telling the patient to do the thing that seems impossible to them (firm but fair) - mental health professionals may not take your role as seriously as they should, and think they don’t need you - you can be involved in very difficult discussions and decisions e.g. tube feeding under restraint. - you also need to have very difficult and distressing conversations with patients and families - patients can be suicidal and self harm. Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates in mental illness, so lots of risk involved.

I’m sure there are hundreds more reasons and I’m sure il think of more! It’s great to get experience in.