Eating Disorders FAQ

What is an Eating Disorder?

The term ‘Eating Disorder' refers to a group of conditions characterised by severe disturbances and difficulties in eating. Eating Disorders can have severe effects on a person’s emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing.

What Is Anorexia Nervosa?

Someone who suffers from Anorexia Nervosa will make determined efforts to lose weight and maintain a weight that is below a normal body weight for their age, sex and height. It is common in young female adolescents but males and adults can also suffer from Anorexia Nervosa.

People suffering from Anorexia Nervosa may go to extreme lengths to lose weight, such exercising excessively, severely restricting their diet/skipping meals or abusing Laxatives or diuretics in an attempt to lose or control their weight. People suffering from Anorexia Nervosa may exhibit the following characteristics;

  • Dramatic weight loss of 15% or more of their body weight.
  • An unhealthy obsession with food.
  • Excessive exercising and possibly abuse of laxatives or diuretics.
  • Low in mood, sullen or introverted.
  • Experiencing problems in school or work
  • Distorted body image - believing they are 'fat' when actually very thin.
  • May self-induce vomiting to compensate when having eaten.
  • Preoccupation with food and losing weight

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Many people who suffer from Bulimia Nervosa will maintain a body weight that is normal for their age, sex and height. Bulimia Nervosa is common in women aged 15 - 25. Sufferers may self-induce vomiting or abuse laxatives in an attempt to control their weight.

Many sufferers go unnoticed but they may be identified by the following characteristics;

  • Numerous episodes of binge eating which is followed by self-induced vomiting.
  • Obsession with food and calories.
  • Swelling of the salivary glands as a result of repeated vomiting.
  • Abuse of Laxatives.
  • Bulimia Nervosa can have serious effects on your physical health and you should seek professional help as soon as possible.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder involves a person repeatedly binging/ over eating, but not purging (inducing vomiting) as in the case of Bulimia Nervosa. It is common in both men and women. Some sufferers may experience significant weight gain but this is not always the case. Binge Eating Disorder can be characterised by the following;

  • Repeated cycle of dieting and then episodes of binging.
  • Binging alone
  • Poor self-image and self-esteem.

Why Do People Develop an Eating Disorder?

There is not one single cause of an eating disorder. Eating Disorders can develop as a result of a number of factors including; stress in ones' life (at home, in work or school), a traumatic event, a loss or bereavement, a breakdown in a relationship or bullying and negative comments about ones' weight and/or shape.

People who live in Western cultures are more at risk of developing an Eating Disorder. In Western societies there is increased pressure to be thin and media influences suggesting that thinness will lead to success or happiness. An Eating Disorder however, and a preoccupation with being thin is more likely to lead to low mood and in some cases, depression. Dieting is also very prevalent in the media with increasing attention being paid to fad diets and celebrity diets. Dieting is shown to increase the chance of developing an Eating Disorder.

Eating Disorders often act as a way for a person to cope with some form of stress in their life. An Eating Disorder can be a way for a person to regain control over some aspect of their life when they feel the rest of their life is out of control.

I am Worried That A Family Member/Friend Has an Eating Disorder. How Can I Help?

It can be difficult and confusing when someone close to you has an Eating Disorder but is important that you do not give up. Denial and resistance to treatment is common in Eating Disorders. Recovery can be a long and difficult process. It is important that you accept the person for who they are and let them know you love them and are there for them. Do not be pushy or angry towards them. Do not force them to eat or focus on their food intake or diet. Try to focus on how they are feeling and support them through these feelings. Do not change your life to meet the needs of the person, the more you lead a normal healthy lifestyle and eat a normal healthy diet the more that person will see what is healthy.

You should approach the person and let them know you are concerned about them and why. It is important not to be angry with the person and you should give them time to voice their own needs and concerns. Accept that is not your fault or their fault and let them know this. Emphasise your hope and confidence that they can recover. Work together and negotiate ways forward. Do not focus on food but rather on feelings. Do not be discouraged if recovery is not quick or if a person relapses. Recovery can be slow. If a person does relapse try to learn from the experience so that you can move forward. You can do this by identifying what worked for the person and what didn't, you can then focus on what you can do to get the person back on the road to recovery.

How Do I Get Help?

If you feel that you or a family member has an Eating Disorder you should seek help and advice from your GP or Consultant Psychiatrist if you have one as soon as possible.

How Do I Access the Services?

Referral is either by your GP or Consultant Psychiatrist. You will then be sent an appointment date for an assessment with a member of our specialised team. You will then be informed if it is recommended that you receive inpatient or outpatient treatment.

How Long Will I be in Hospital For?

Inpatient stay varies depending on the individual and the severity of the condition. Our aim is to assist you in your recovery so you can return to a normal life as soon as possible. An inpatient stay is followed by a day care programme which decreases according to improvement of the condition. We then offer an aftercare programme for outpatients that includes 18 month counselling and monitoring.