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Talking about eating disorders (reprinted 2010)

Getting help | Medical treatment | Self help | Counselling and therapy

'I felt terrible, life was dreadful. The pain and hunger were overwhelming. I felt very frightened. I realised I could die ...I knew I needed help. Someone to trust, someone who could understand what I was feeling.'

'It was a huge relief in the end, when someone else stepped in and helped me. I knew I couldn't go on as I was.'

Accepting there is something wrong and that we need help to deal with it can be extremely difficult. We may have struggled so hard for a long time to cope by ourselves that offers of help can be very threatening. The more concerned those close to us are, the more they may pressurise us into accepting help. It can feel like we're being backed into a corner. There are situations where an eating disorder becomes life-threatening, and action may have to be taken to preserve someone's life even without their consent. However, it is important that we find help which suits our own particular needs, when we are ready.

There are different sources of support available to people with experience of eating disorders, each offering different kinds of help. It is worth contacting one of the organisations listed later to find out what's available in your area.

Medical treatment

Because of the possibility of physical harm, it is important to be seen by adoctor. People may well go to their family doctor when they first decide to seek help. Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist for specialist advice or to a counsellor or therapist (see below). Sometimes, medication will be suggested - usually tranquillisers or anti-depressants - to relieve some of the symptoms. This can be helpful in the short term, to get through a particularly distressing time for example. But drugs will only help with the symptoms not the cause. These types of medication can have unpleasant side-effects and some tranquillisers should not be taken for a prolonged period. You are entitled to ask your doctor to explain the pros and cons of any medication you are given.

There are now a number of specialist centres which provide inpatient treatment. Where you live may decide whether you have access to one. They offer a range of treatment. Some require patients to follow a strict regime laid down for them in order that they achieve reasonable weight levels and patterns of eating. Others encourage patients through counselling and group therapy to take more responsibility for their own recovery.

Self-help

Meeting other people who have been through similar difficulties can be very valuable. It is all too easy to become isolated and to feel you are the only one who feels and behaves as you do. Being part of a group provides an opportunity to share experiences, to be understood and accepted without blame or guilt.

Counselling and therapy

Counselling and therapy are sometimes called 'talking treatments' because they give people a chance to talk through their difficulties. Therapy - of which there are many types - tends to be longer-term and to be concerned more with explaining and coming to terms with past events.

Counselling is more practical and focuses on present day feelings and difficulties. In either, it is important to find a counsellor or therapist you can relate to and trust.

For many people with an eating disorder, their pre-occupation with food is away of dealing with emotions they cannot otherwise show or express. If we are able to find a counsellor or therapist we trust enough to confide in, this can provide a great release. It can enable us to begin to resolve some of our concerns.

'Without one-to-one counselling, I would not have got through it. It may not be right for everyone, but for me it was invaluable.'

'Some other people at the hospital had little time for me and they had no sympathy, as they saw my problems as self-inflicted. My counsellor was not at all like that.'