Eating Disorder Recovery In The UK – Common Misconceptions

 What is an eating disorder?

According to the NHS website, “an eating disorder is a mental health condition where you use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations.” Although most may associate the words ‘eating disorder’ with somebody who is underweight and avoids food, the term includes other unhealthy eating behaviours, such as binge-eating, eating things that are not food, and purging. The road to eating disorder recovery in the UK does vary depending on the symptoms that somebody has.

How do we educate people on this subject?

At Mental Health TV, we create educational video content on mental health. Although many might think that eating disorders are just about not eating enough and that recovery just requires you to get to a healthier weight, this is not the case. We have several programmes on eating disorders to educate patients, families, medical professionals and the general public on the nuances of eating disorders. It isn’t always just about the food.  Making educational content on eating disorders is helping to reduce stigma and misconceptions about eating disorders, and eating disorder recovery in the UK.

What are common misconceptions about eating disorders? #

• Common misconceptions are:
• Eating disorders are a choice
• Everyone who has an eating disorder is skinny
• Only women have eating disorders
• Eating disorders are all about wanting to be skinny
• Eating disorder recovery in the UK is just eating more

What is the truth about eating disorders?

Eating disorders are not a choice. There are many different factors that can contribute to developing an eating disorder. This includes life transitions (they may cause stress and anxiety, making somebody more susceptible to an eating disorder), psychological health in general, excessive dieting, body dysmorphia, family history, abuse, and extracurricular activities (e.g. ballet, swimming etc).

Men and women both can suffer from eating disorders, though the number of women that seek treatment is higher than the number of men who seek treatment. Men are more likely to have muscle dysmorphia (an obsession with becoming more muscular). This can lead to unhealthy behaviours e.g. taking steroids. Women are more likely to want to become thinner.

Eating disorder recovery in the UK starts with a visit to the GP. The GP will refer the patient to the local eating disorder recovery service. The treatment provided depends on the eating disorder.

What does eating disorder recovery involve?  

Eating disorder recovery in UK varies depending on the eating disorder. For those suffering with anorexia, there are talking therapies provided and often accompanied by advice from a dietician to help with nutrition. Focal psychodynamic therapy can also be offered to help find out what the unhealthy eating habits are related to. Some treatments don’t require staying away from home. However, if somebody has health complications that are serious, they may be admitted to hospital and only allowed to return home once weight has been restored and they’re deemed mentally well enough.

Treatment for bulimia usually requires guided help and talking therapy. During this treatment plan patients monitor what they are eating to try and change patterns in their behaviour, make meal plans, learn about their triggers and explore the underlying causes of their disorder.