HEALTH NEWS
Restored Eating Disorders: Change is possible An eating problem is any relationship with food that you find difficult. Anyone can experience eating problems and adopt extreme behaviours as a result, explains Dee Swinton, regardless of age, gender, weight or background. Eating disorder symptoms can has one of the highest levels of manifest as cravings, eating more eating disorders admissions in or less than usual or trying to eat the country. healthier. Changing eating habits It’s safe to say that early every now and then is normal, intervention is of utmost but if you feel like food or eating importance, and ahead of Eating is taking over your life, it may Disorder Awareness Week become a problem. that takes place between 28th Eating disorders are not just February and 6th March, we about food or weight want to bust though and you don’t Eating disorders are the myth have to ‘look sick’ to about the not just about food or stigma (and be diagnosed or need help. An eating disorder weight, and you don’t self-stigma) can be about difficult have to ‘look sick’. of asking emotions or painful help. An eating disorder for feelings that come Shame felt can be about difficult by sufferers at any stage in life as a result of external can result emotions that life stressors or past/ come as a result of in their present trauma, both of silence and external life stress or reluctance which are not mutually past/present trauma to reach out exclusive. for support. Dorset’s high levels But by doing so, it can save a life. But the fact remains: eating With treatment, most people can disorders have the highest death recover from an eating disorder. rate of any mental health illness and are estimated to affect 1.6 Taking the first step to million people in the UK (The recovery Telegraph, Nov 2018). So, what do you do if you think During the first lockdown in that you or someone you know 2020, monthly referrals for eating might be struggling with food disorders amongst young people issues? in Dorset rose drastically by 42% The first step should always be according to NHS England, Jan to seek help from your GP. But if 2022 This isn’t surprising when your situation is life threatening, you consider how the increased we recommend that you get levels of anxiety and isolation yourself or your loved one had such a devastating impact on straight to A&E if you can do so vulnerable young people. It has safely, or dial 999 and request an now been estimated that Dorset ambulance.
Choose your journey At Dorset Mind, we aim to increase awareness about eating disorders and help support people’s recovery journeys. ‘Restored’ Eating Disorder support comprises professionals with lived experience, who support people (aged 16+) who might be living with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders or another specified feeding or disordered eating. Y ou don’t have to have a diagnosis to use our services. We provide two pathways to assist recovery: mentoring, and a weekly online peer-support group. Mentoring provides 1-2-1 support from trained mentors who coach you through an 8-week, CBT based programme. Our online Recovery Group facilitates weekly peer-support in the form of a discussion group that utilises a 26-week programme. How to access our support: To book your initial assessment with our team, email Romy at restored@ dorsetmind.uk. Please note, this is not a crisis service. Dorset Mind charity supports adults and young people with a range of 1-2-1 and group mental health support, education and training across Dorset. Find out more at: dorsetmind.uk 103
