Diagnosis and Treatment from Eating Disorder Therapists
ADULT GENERAL PSYCHIATRY ASSESSMENT
Get a diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to you
ADULT GENERAL PSYCHIATRY ASSESSMENT
Get a diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to you.
Book Your Assessment
£595 / Assessment
- Consultation with an Adult Psychiatrist
- Tailored Diagnosis and Holistic Treatment Plan
- Easy online booking
What is an eating disorder?
There are several different types of eating disorder, each with their own symptoms and behaviours. Learn about the different types and what can cause an individual to develop disordered eating.
What are the symptoms of eating disorders?
Just as there are different types of eating disorder, there are many different symptoms someone with an eating disorder may experience. However, some disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, can have symptoms in common.
How are eating disorders treated?
The best treatment for an eating disorder will depend on the type you have and your symptoms. For some, a combination of medication and psychotherapy may help, while others will benefit from regular appointments with a nutritionist to develop healthy meal plans along with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to identify and address their disordered beliefs around food. We adopt a holistic approach that puts your wellbeing first.
Meet our eating disorder specialists
Our eating disorder specialists have decades of combined experience in diagnosing and treating anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Experts in their field, they are dedicated to keeping up to date with all the latest developments in psychiatry to deliver the best care for you — because we know that the right treatment combination can be truly transformative.
What is an eating disorder?
Between TV ads marketing supplements as so-called magic pills, magazines promoting the hottest new diet and exercising trends, and social media setting impossible beauty standards, it’s little surprise that a lot of us aren’t happy with our bodies and wish we could lose a few extra pounds or get more toned. But what may seem like harmless behaviour, such as counting calories to lose a bit of weight, can rapidly develop into something much more dangerous.
An eating disorder is a mental illness characterised by disordered eating, such as severely restricting your intake of or avoiding food completely, suffering uncontrollable binges, and compensating for overeating by purging or fasting.
There are many types of eating disorder, although the most common that we’ve seen over the years at Psymplicity are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder (BED),
Anorexia nervosa
People with anorexia fear gaining weight and will try to keep their weight as low as possible by restricting the food they eat. Many also suffer from body dysmorphia, where they think they are overweight when they are actually underweight. Anorexia is incredibly dangerous, as becoming severely underweight can lead to the body shutting down. This can mean problems with fertility, amenorrhea (absence of periods), osteoporosis, a constant lack of energy and feeling of weakness, an irregular heartbeat and even heart failure. Anorexia can be life-threatening, and it’s one of the leading causes of mental health-related deaths.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia is characterised by regular binge-eating episodes followed by purging to compensate for the overeating. This may be in the form of excessive exercising, taking laxatives, forced vomiting or fasting the next day. Those who purge by forcing themselves to be sick can also experience an electrolyte imbalance caused by dehydration. This can lead to an irregular heartbeat and possibly heart failure, which can be fatal.
Binge eating disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder involves regular binge-eating episodes. This is different from simply fancying a treat, as those with BED will struggle to control the urge to eat and may frequently consume thousands of calories or more during a binge. Unlike with bulimia and anorexia, those with BED will not try to compensate afterwards by purging or fasting, and so many with the disorder are overweight or obese, which can put them at risk of developing other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.
Unfortunately, many people suffering from disordered eating go undiagnosed. They often feel guilty and ashamed, and hide food or binge in secret. They also may not always want to seek help — someone with anorexia, for example, may know that they are putting themselves at risk, but the idea of getting help and maintaining a healthy weight is dwarfed by the voice in their head telling them that they are overweight and need to slim down.
The potentially life-threatening impact of an eating disorder makes it vital to get help as early as possible. Seeking treatment can be difficult and you or a loved one may even feel conflicted. Our eating disorder specialists are familiar with the unique challenges these disorders present and are sensitive and empathetic to those struggling with their relationship with food. We can provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a bespoke plan of treatment that goes at your pace and ensures the best chance of recovery.
What are the symptoms of an eating disorder?
The symptoms of an eating disorder may, at first glance, appear to be harmless or even healthy behaviours, which can make them difficult to recognise. Individual symptoms can vary and someone with anorexia may also exhibit symptoms of bulimia and vice-versa. Below are the typical symptoms of the three most common types of eating disorder.
Symptoms of anorexia
Do you:
- Excessively count calories?
- Spend most of your time doing the weekly shop reading food labels and planning “safe” meals you can eat?
- Avoid going out with friends, fearing you won’t know exactly how many calories you’re eating and drinking?
- Weigh yourself every day, getting frustrated when the scale fluctuates?
- Look in the mirror and think you’re overweight, even though your loved ones comment on how thin you look or even express concern that you’re underweight?
- Constantly feel cold, having to wear multiple layers even when it’s warm?
- Spot soft, downy hair growing fast on your arms and legs? (This is your body’s defence against malnutrition to help keep you warm)
- Feel the uncontrollable urge to binge after consistent fasting or heavy restriction?
Symptoms of bulimia
Do you:
- Regularly eat a lot of food in a short period and make yourself sick, take laxatives, fast or exercise for hours to purge your body?
- Avoid eating in public or going out with friends, fearing you won’t be able to purge afterwards?
- Look and feel bloated?
- Have a puffy face or burst blood vessels in the eyes from regularly forcing yourself to be sick?
- Find yourself thinking about food all the time, even carefully planning your binges?
- Weigh yourself every day, especially after binging, desperately hoping it isn’t reflected on the scales?
- Secretly hoard food where others won’t find it?
- Excessively drink water, especially when eating?
- Have discoloured or stained teeth?
- Have calluses on your knuckles from frequent self-induced vomiting?
Symptoms of binge eating disorder
Do you:
- Eat an excessive amount of food in a short timeframe?
- Struggle to control the urge to binge, as if part of you takes over?
- Eat until it’s uncomfortable to keep going?
- Eat alone or in secret?
- Hide food to binge on later?
- Feel ashamed or guilty about your overeating?
- Struggle to lose weight and follow a diet?
- Have calluses on your knuckles from frequent self-induced vomiting?
These are the most common symptoms of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder that we see at Psymplicity, but every individual is unique and can experience several other symptoms. You might also suffer from chronic anxiety or depression caused by low self-esteem and insecurities over your weight, and there may even be some overlap between conditions. It’s not uncommon for someone with anorexia to start purging what little they’ve eaten or after a binge, which is often brought on by severe restriction and an “all or nothing” attitude, where eating is perceived as a “failure”.
Getting help for an eating disorder is difficult, and you may feel that others can’t understand. You might have been told to “just eat something” as if it’s the easiest thing to do in the world, but eating even a slice of toast feels impossible when your every thought is about not breaking your fast, or when you have to fight to give yourself permission to eat even the smallest of meals. You might have been told to “go on a diet” or “exercise a bit of self-control”, but when the urge to binge hits, it feels like something even the strongest of wills can’t overcome.
At Psymplicity Healthcare, we get it. We understand what it’s like to have your relationship with food dominate your life, and we’re here to help. We’ll talk to you about your symptoms and your thoughts around your behaviours, taking into account your medical history and potential triggers to accurately diagnose your condition. Then, we’ll work with you at a pace that you’re comfortable with, helping you reframe your attitude towards food and create a life where your first thought when you wake up isn’t about what you can or can’t eat or how you can get out of a social event.
The Psymplicity approach to treating eating disorders
At Psymplicity Healthcare, we adopt an integrated approach to treating eating disorders. Using an advanced combination of medication and modern psychological and coaching techniques, we’ll tailor a treatment plan to suit your needs. Your treatment may involve medication to treat symptoms related to or exacerbated by your condition, such as low mood or anaemia, or a course of tablets to help reduce binge eating and purging. However we think best to help you through your eating disorder, we have the expertise at Psymplicity, and all under one roof to make it as simple as possible for you.
Our effective multi-pronged approach may also involve medical care or monitoring when a patient has severely lost or gained weight in a short time, along with a combination of therapeutic treatments.
Talking therapy can help pinpoint the underlying causes and contributing factors so that healing can begin, while cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be effective at identifying the triggers and beliefs around food leading to disordered eating. You’ll learn how to become conscious of these as well as develop coping mechanisms to change your relationship with food for the better.
Finally, your treatment plan may also involve working with a nutritionist. You’ll learn what your body needs to be healthy, the effect of disordered eating on your metabolism and the cues your body sends you when you’re hungry and full. A nutritionist may also create a personalised meal plan that slowly introduces new foods to your diet — at a pace that suits you. This may sound daunting, but we’ll be with you every step of the way as you work towards recovery. When combined with our therapeutic approach, eating with your body — not against it — will become easier and more natural, until you eventually do it without realising you’re not obsessing or worrying.
Your eating disorder treatment plan
Following our in-depth assessment and subsequent eating disorder diagnosis, you’ll benefit from a personalised and balanced treatment approach that prioritises managing your symptoms and reducing the impact of the condition on your life.
Step One
To ensure a perfectly tailored treatment plan, we begin with a professional eating disorder diagnosis and produce a personalised assessment report, which you’re welcome to share with your GP.
Step Two
Our experts will evaluate whether medication is appropriate for your condition and the best therapeutic approach to help you develop a healthier relationship with food and your body. You’ll then receive a bespoke treatment plan that suits you in every way. We have a deep-rooted understanding of the specific benefits of each course of treatment, whether medication or talking therapy, and we can talk you through these during your appointment.
Step Three
Eating disorder patients need continued care and support, which is why we recommend follow-up appointments to review progress, discuss any concerns and adjust your treatment to help you on your path to recovery.
Jeremy Beiders story
The story that sees me start on my journey to a career in the field of mental health takes place
