Eating Disorders

Description of Eating Disorders

A child or young person with an eating disorder may focus excessively on their weight and body shape, leading them to change their eating habits and behaviour. This often leads to making unhealthy choices about food which may result in damaging their health.

There are different types of eating disorders and they affect a person physically, psychologically and socially. The most common eating disorders are: 

  • Anorexia Nervosa – when a person tries to keep their weight as low as possible; for example, by starving themselves or exercising excessively
  • Bulimia – when a person goes through periods of binge eating and is then deliberately sick or uses laxatives (medication to help empty the bowels) to try to control their weight
  • Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – when a person feels compelled to overeat large amounts of food in a short space of time
  • Eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS)- this means you have some, but not all, of the typical signs of eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia.

The causes of eating disorders are complex and unique to the individual.

Risk factors that can increase the likelihood of a person having an eating disorder include:

  • having a family history of eating disorders, depression or substance misuse
  • being criticised for their eating habits, body shape or weight
  • being overly concerned with being slim, particularly if combined with pressure to be slim from society or for a job – for example, ballet dancers, models or athletes
  • certain underlying characteristics – for example, having an obsessive personality, an anxiety disorder, low self-esteem or being a perfectionist
  • particular experiences, such as sexual or emotional abuse or the death of someone special
  • difficult relationships with family members or friends
  • stressful situations – for example, problems school or college

 

Treatment of Eating Disorders in CAMHS  

 

If an eating disorder isn't treated, it can have a very negative impact on a young person’s life. For example, it can disrupt relationships with family members and friends. The physical effects of an eating disorder can sometimes be fatal.

Treatment in our specialist eating disorder service will usually involve monitoring the young person’s physical health while helping them to deal with the underlying psychological causes.  If the referrer is concerned that your young person may have difficulties relating to eating, they will be seen in their first ‘choice’ appointment by two therapists who specialise in treating eating disorders in young people. This appointment will involve general information gathering but also a detailed history of any eating related difficulties and the therapists will give immediate feedback at that time if they feel the young person has an eating disorder and stress the risks and seriousness of the illness if left untreated. The team involve the family in a family based treatment model for anorexia discussing how the eating disorder has affected the young person and their relationships. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) may also be used and this focuses on changing how a person thinks about a situation, which in turn will affect how they feel and act. The team routinely refer to Seashore (or in some cases the G.P) for a physical health review. The young person will be offered immediate follow up usually on a weekly basis. Initially these appointments involve the family/carer. The initial phase of treatment would be to re-feed and to work with helping you as parents/carers to take charge of this. Each appointment involves weighing, educating and agreeing meal plans. In the first month we support a family meal. This is when we ask the family to bring in a meal that we observe and coach them in supporting the young person o eat. The family is given the opportunity to attend a multi family therapy group (they are informed of these in the first or second appointment) which are run twice a year and each family join at whatever stage of treatment they are at. Family appointments are offered continually until weight is stabilised. Once weight is stabilised, the young person may be seen more individually although this is not always needed.”

 

Signs of eating disorders-

It can often be very difficult to identify that a loved one or friend has developed an eating disorder.

Warning signs to look out for include:

  • missing meals
  • complaining of being fat, even though they have a normal weight or are underweight
  • repeatedly weighing themselves and looking at themselves in the mirror
  • making repeated claims that they've already eaten, or they'll shortly be going out to eat somewhere else and avoiding eating at home
  • cooking big or complicated meals for other people, but eating little or none of the food themselves
  • only eating certain low-calorie foods in your presence, such as lettuce or celery
  • feeling uncomfortable or refusing to eat in public places, such as at a restaurant
  • the use of "pro-anorexia" websites

It can be difficult to know what to do if you're concerned about a friend or family member. It's not unusual for someone with an eating disorder to be secretive and defensive about their eating and their weight, and they may deny being unwell.

 

Further information

To view Mind's leaflet 'Understanding Eating Problems', click on the cover image below.

 

  • A A A

© 2020 - Weston Area Health NHS Trust

Privacy Notice Freedom of Information Site map  Accessibility

  • Print page
  • Show site map