Eating disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses. Anyone, no matter what their age, gender, ethnicity or background, can develop one. Some examples of eating disorders include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), bulimia, binge eating disorder, and anorexia.

It’s important to be aware that there are treatments that can help and you can recover from an eating disorder.

Men and women of any age can get an eating disorder, but they most commonly affect young women aged 13 to 17 years old.

If you are concerned that you may have an eating disorder you should seek help from a GP. If you are registered with Brownlow Health you can submit an eConsult via the practice home page and a clinician will contact you within one working day. If you don’t have internet access you can telephone the practice and ask for a telephone consultation for an initial assessment.

As part of the management plan, your GP may suggest some resources, listed below, which have been collated by the Merseycare Eating Disorders service and reproduced here with their kind permission.

Important note: the below resources should not be used as a ‘treatment’ in their own right for someone who is struggling with eating difficulties, they are not a replacement for appropriate professional support/intervention.

Need urgent help?

Merseycare Urgent Mental Health Support 0800 1456570 Merseycare is the local provider of mental health services, and this number is available 24/7 for anyone aged 16 or above who needs urgent mental health support, including people in crisis.

T he Liverpool Light 181-185 London Road, Liverpool, L3 8JG. The service is run by trained mental health support staff and operates from 6pm to 12pm, 7 days a week

The Samaritans, OPEN 24/7 – call 116 123

James’ Place A Liverpool based service providing help to men in suicidal crisis.

Staying Safe: Help and resources for people experiencing suicidal thoughts.

PAPYRUS provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK: 0800 068 4141

Brownlow Health is open 8am-630pm Monday-Friday. A GP will always call you back between these hours if you are in crisis.

Resources

Websites

BEAT is the UK’s eating disorder charity. The Beat website has information about different types of eating difficulties and advice about accessing support. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

They also offer their own support services including: a helpline, one-to-one webchat, and online support groups. Click here.

MIND, a UK charity “for better mental health”, offers an information and signposting service via their infoline (open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday):

helpline: 0300 123 3393
text service: 86463
email service: info@mind.org.uk

Their website has a webchat service, videos and information specifically about eating problems. This includes possible causes, how you can access treatment and support, tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

CENTRE FOR CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS

Free online resources, self-help workbooks and numerous information sheets about different aspects of eating difficulties, including physical and emotional health. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The website also has self-help resources relating to various other types of distress e.g. anxiety, low mood, sleep difficulties, low self-esteem. Click here.

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS

Readable and well-researched information for anyone worried about themselves, a friend, or a relative. Information and advice around difficulties with restricted eating, purging and binge-eating. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Other online resources

Get self-help: Free self-help resources informed by Cognitive-behaviour Therapy, including specific information and advice about eating difficulties.

Living Life to the Full: “Free online courses covering low mood, stress and resiliency. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more.”

Overcoming: Access to overcoming series on-line information and details of self-help books and resources.

Samaritans: Click here or call 116 123 Information and support for people struggling with thoughts of ending their life.

Shout: “for support in a crisis”. Text Shout to 85258 for free 24/7 text support – available for times when people feel they need immediate support.

Books

Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa 2nd Edition: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. Patricia Graham & Chris Freeman.

Overcoming Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating 3rd Edition: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. Peter Cooper.

Overcoming Binge Eating: The Proven Program to Learn Why You Binge and How You Can Stop. Christopher Fairburn.

A Cognitive-Interpersonal Therapy Workbook for Treating Anorexia Nervosa. Ulrike Schmidt, Helen Startup & Janet Treasure.

Overcoming Low Self-Esteem, 2nd Edition: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. Melanie Fennell

The Compassionate Mind (Compassion Focused Therapy). Paul Gilbert.

Local Library Services

Many of these titles are available to borrow your local library.

If one of the titles is not available from your local library it may be possible for them to order it on your request.

Brownlow Health Central

Brownlow Health @ Pembroke Place

Brownlow Health @ Ropewalks

Brownlow Health @ Student Health