LIFE HACK FOR EATING DISORDER RECOVERY As RCOT encouraged OTs to share their life hacks over OT week, PhD student and OT working in CAMHS Esther Dark considers this theme in relation to people in eating disorder recovery
T
he demand for healthcare services, particularly for eating disorders, is high. Data shows that despite treatment time standards for children and young people’s specialist eating disorder services, a considerable number still experience significant delays (NHS England, 2022). These delays can result in individuals becoming more unwell and impede recovery (Hamilton et al., 2022). Even with specialist treatment, evidence-based treatments do not yield consistently good outcomes (Byrne et al., 2017). 12
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Occupational therapists support individuals with performance and participation difficulties. In eating disorder settings, they focus on an individual’s strengths and promote choice and independence, so individuals become their own occupational therapists (Cowan and Sørlie, 2021). They offer a unique lens in the treatment of eating disorders, focusing on practical support in the here and now, and fostering occupations and activities which are meaningful and contribute to long-term
recovery (Gardiner and Brown, 2010; Biddiscombe et al., 2018). Occupational therapy seeks to implement individualised strategies and support so that change is meaningful, and implemented into an individual’s day-to-day routines. Therefore, in a climate of high referrals and need, with calls for novel and creative approaches, (Touyz and Hay, 2022) occupational therapy can be key in supporting recovery in the long term. Occupational Therapy Week is a national annual event which seeks to promote occupational therapy. This year’s theme is ‘Lift Up Your Everyday’. Although occupational therapy is an essential part of the multidisciplinary team in the field of eating disorders, they are often overlooked in favour of more
