Eating Disorder Service

LSCft All Age Eating Disorder Service

We offer assessment and treatment for people of any age who have Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder or mixed eating disorder symptoms (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder). We do not currently offer treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

Our aim is to stabilise eating, to provide therapy and support to people and their families, and to help people maintain their physical and emotional health.

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to seek support, or to acknowledge that we may need additional help with things that we are struggling with.

The eating disorder charity Beat have produced a leaflet which could be helpful to read through if you are considering seeking help via your GP. It explains some common misconceptions about seeking help for an eating disorder, as well as offering the GP some guidance. Therefore, it could also be useful to download or print the seeking help via your GP leaflet, in order to take it with you to your GP appointment.

Referrals

The first step is to speak to your GP about your concerns and difficulties around eating. Your GP or any other health professional can refer you to your local eating disorder service. As part of the referral process, we ask for your GP to conduct blood tests and a physical health assessment, including weight and height. This information is very important for us to understand your current situation and the associated risks at the point of referral. We accept referrals for people across the full weight range. Once a referral is received, if it appears likely that you are suffering from an eating disorder and we have the relevant information, you will be offered an assessment.

Assessment

Many people feel anxious before their assessment, so you are not alone if you’re feeling this way. The assessment will consist of a meeting with one of our team, which will last approximately 90 minutes. In the assessment, information will be gathered about your current difficulties around eating and the history of your difficulties. You will also be asked about any other mental health difficulties and information will be gathered about other aspects of your life. Following this assessment, a decision will be made about whether our service is appropriate for you and a plan will be made with you about the most appropriate treatment.

Following the assessment, we will send yourself, the referrer (for children and young people this might be CAMHS) and/or your GP, a written report of the assessment and a care plan for next steps.

What treatment is available?

Eating disorders can be serious psychological and medical problems and it is important to access professional help. Your GP can refer you to one of the all age specialist eating disorder teams covering Lancashire and South Cumbria. Clinicians in these services include psychologists, psychological therapists, specialist nurses, dietitians, medics and support workers. The majority of people are treated in an outpatient setting.

In some circumstances the all age eating disorder service will also need to work with other agencies to ensure you have additional support, which they will discuss with you before a referral is made.

What forms of treatments are available?

A variety of therapies are offered within the specialist eating disorder services and are based on the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The service offers both group and individual sessions with an eating disorder specialist. Young people will often be offered family based approaches such as Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT-AN) or Family Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa (FT-BN). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-ED) is the most likely treatment option for adults, either in individual or group settings. Other cognitive interpersonal therapies such as the Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA) or Schema Therapy may be offered. Family Therapy and Systemic Therapy may be considered if they are deemed to be more appropriate.

Alongside psychological interventions, people may also be offered dietetic interventions, case management and physical health monitoring.