Seeking professional help for an eating disorder is a daunting prospect. Some people find it easier if they know what to expect. These pages contain details of different types of psychological support available and what they involve.
I cannot guarantee that all of the therapies described will be available on the NHS in your local area: your GP or health practitioner will be able to give you more details on how to access the support you need.
I was really worried about seeking professional help until I spoke to a friend who had been in a similar situation. She told me that her GP was really understanding and told me a bit about the therapy she was having. This really helped to calm my fears.
Why do I need psychological support?
What types of psychological support are there?
How long will I need psychological support for?
What if doesn’t help me?
What other help is available?
How do I access support?
What am I entitled to on the NHS?
What services are available in Sheffield?
Why do I need psychological support?
Overcoming an eating disorder is not easy. You are likely to be affected both physically and emotionally. The two affects often become intertwined and difficult to distinguish between. Seeing a therapist will help you to understand how you are feeling and why, and how your eating disorder fits into the picture. They will help you to work through problems and find alternative coping mechanisms that will help you to recover and to deal with difficult situations in the future.
What types of psychological support are there?
Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Dialectic behaviour therapy (DBT)
Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Talking therapies
Self-help groups or support groups
For more information on the above therapies click HERE
How long will I need psychological support for?
The short answer is as long as it take for you recover. NICE guidelines suggest that you should receive therapy for a minimum of 6 months. If you have had a period of time in hospital this minimum is increased 1 year, from the time you leave inpatient support.
What if doesn’t help me?
Try to remember that every one has their own unique path to recovery. Different therapies suit different people. If you are not finding a specific therapy helpful don’t despair; this does not mean you will not beat your eating disorder, it means that you need to try a different approach. Your therapist will understand this and will help you to find the right path for you. For some this will mean participating in a single therapy, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, for others it will mean utilising a number of different approaches. In my final year of treatment I was seeing a cognitive behaviour therapist, a dietician, a counsellor and was going to self-help group sessions.
What other help is available?
Friends and family
Friends and family can be a great source of support. They may not understand what you are going through at first but be patient. Try to describe to them how you are feeling and encourage them to ask questions. Explain to them that talking about your eating disorder may make you upset or angry, and that they should not take offence at this or feel that they have done the wrong thing.
Helplines
Helplines are there to offer an understanding and non-judgmental ear at all hours of the day. I have listed some below.
Beat
Tel: 0845 634 1414
E-mail: help@b-eat.co.uk
Monday to Friday, 10:30am-8:30pm
Saturday, 1pm-4:30pm
Sunday, closed
The Samaritans
Tel: 08457 909 909
E-mail: jo@Samaritans.org
University of Sheffield Nightline
Tel: 0114 222 8787
E-mail: nightline@Sheffield.ac.uk
8pm-8am, term time only
Syeda
Tel: 0114 272 8855
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-5pm
Self-help
Self-help is not a replacement to professional support but it can help to build upon and reinforce what you are doing in therapy and fill the gaps between sessions. Your GP may suggest self-help as a first port of call, specifically if you are affected by bulimia. If this is the case, you should have regular contact with your GP to assess how you getting on. If you find that self-help is not right for you, your GP should offer an alternative.
Beat is a good place to look if you would like more information on the range of self-help material available. Beat also provides information on self-help material available for those close to people affected by eating disorders.
dietician
A dietician will be there to advice you on the types and quantities of food that constitute a healthy, balanced diet. They are likely to ask you to keep a food diary in order to identify the areas that are most challenging to you.
A dietician WILL NOT make you change your diet.
They WILL encourage and support you to gradually alter your eating habits in a way that will help you to recover.
A dietician WILL NOT make you stop exercising.
They WILL advise you on an appropriate level of exercise for you to participate in during and after your recovery.
Tutor/teacher
You tutor/teacher should:
- Recognise that you have an illness that is likely to affect your level of concentration and work output.
- Advise you on the support available in relation to your education.
- Keep all discussions confidential unless you agree otherwise.
- Help you to obtain extensions, special consideration and time-off if required.
- Offer you information and guidance that prioritises your short and long term health.
If you find it difficult to talk to your tutor the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service will be able to help you.
Website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/disability
Tel: 0114 222 1303
E-mail: disability.info@Sheffield.ac.uk
What am I entitled to on the NHS?
Below is a summary of what the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends in relation to the treatment of eating disorders. To download ‘Understanding NICE guidance: a guide for people with eating disorders, their advocates and carers, and the public‘ click on the link.
What can you expect from the NHS?
In the majority of cases your GP will be the first professional you see about your eating disorder. The following bullet points outline what you can expect of GP or other health care professional.
- The relationship that you have with your GP or care professional should be caring and supportive. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your GP or if you feel that they are not taking your concerns seriously remember that you can request to see some else.
- You should be provided with information that will help you to understand the physical and psychological affects of your eating disorder more fully.
- In addition to treatment available on the NHS, your GP should inform you of local self-help and support groups.
- Information exchanged between you and any professional health worker should be kept confidential. If it is felt that you are putting yourself or others at risk, and that breaking confidentiality would reduce this risk, this should be discussed with you first. If someone you are close to, such as a friend or family member, seeks professional support the same rules on confidentiality apply.
- Your GP should maintain regular contact with you throughout treatment in order to monitor your physical and psychological needs.
Getting diagnosed
Your GP is the most likely person to diagnose you with an eating disorder. Seeking help for the first time is not easy but you should find your GP understanding and sympathetic of your problems.
During the appointment your GP will ask you a series of questions about your diet, behaviour, feelings towards food and emotional well-being. The questions a GP asks when trying to establish whether you have an eating disorder may not be entirely relevant to you. Try not to let this stop your GP getting to the heart of the issue. If he asks, for example, ‘Are making yourself vomit’ and you are not but are using other compensatory techniques such as exercising or using laxatives, take this question as an opportunity to tell him/her this. It can be really hard admitting your problem to a medical professional for the first time but in doing so you are making a really positive step forward. It would make it easier if your GP came to the right conclusion as soon as you walked in the room but this is unlikely. He/she needs you to tell them the problem. When I went to my GP for a second time, having talked round the houses for the first session, I admitted my problem and my GP said ‘I knew that was the problem; I just needed you to tell me.’
What happens next?
If your GP thinks that you have an eating disorder he will refer you to a specialist for an assessment. The assessment will look at your medical, psychological and physical needs and at any immediate psychological or physical risk you may be facing. The assessment will also be used as an opportunity for you and a specialist to discuss your treatment options. Whatever treatment you decide to take sessions should begin soon after the assessment.
The range of treatment available
Regardless of the type or severity of eating disorder you are suffering from you should be offered some form of psychological treatment. Your GP my also suggest that you go on a course of antidepressants, particularly if you are affected by bulimia. This should not however be the only treatment you receive. Antidepressants may help you to reduce eating disorder behaviour but they are not a long-term solution. If you are offered antidepressants you should be told of any possible side affects.
The form of psychological therapy that you are offered will vary depending on your symptoms, needs and situation. Whatever treatment you decide to take will be adapted to suit you. Your preference should be a key factor in choosing a treatment (NICE).
Psychological treatments include:
- Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Dialectic behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Focal psychodynamic therapy
- Family therapy
- Self-help
- Self-help groups or support groups
More information about these therapies can be found by clicking on the link.
Outpatient or inpatient
You will most likely be treated as an outpatient. If however you are at high physical or psychological risk, more intensive inpatient treatment may be suggested (see below).
NICE advises that outpatient treatment should last at least 6 months. In addition to psychological therapy you should be offered dietary support.
If you receive inpatient treatment this should be provided on a unit that is experienced in the care of patients with eating disorders and that has expert professional help on hand. Inpatient treatment should be offered in a unit within reasonable travelling distance of your home to ensure that you are able to maintain contact with family and friends. Once you have left inpatient treatment you should continue to receive psychological therapy for a minimum of 12 months.
What services are available in Sheffield?
BEAT
Beat is a UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. Their website is an excellent source of information for both sufferers and carers. Individual support can be accessed via their free helpline or via the e-mail address
website: www.b-eat.co.uk
e-mail: help@b-eat.co.uk
tel: 0845 634 1414
Syeda
Syeda is a regional charity that supports anyone affected by an eating disorder. They offer a range of support services for sufferers and carers. All their services are free.
website: www.syeda.org.uk
e-mail: info@syeda.org.uk
tel (info): 0114 272 8822
helpline: 0114 272 8855 (open Tuesdays and Thursday 10am-5pm)
address: 26 – 28 Bedford Street, Neepsend, Sheffield, S6 3BT
The University of Sheffield Health Centre
The health centre offers a specialist eating disorders service that can be accessed by all students of the University of Sheffield. Appointments can be made through Kerry, without referral from a GP.
website: www.shef.ac.uk/health
tel: 0114 222 2100 (ask to speak to Kerry)
e-mail: health.service@sheffield.ac.uk
address: 53 Gell Street, Sheffield S3 7QP
The University of Sheffield Counselling Service
The service offers individual counseling, workshops and courses on well-being, life skills and relaxation techniques, creative therapies and a daily drop in service. The service is free and confidential and is open to all students and staff.
tel: 0114 22 24134
e-mail: ucs@sheffield.ac.uk
address: 36 Wilkinson Street, Sheffield S10 2GB