Eating disorders are an increasingly common health problem, with many sufferers requiring professional help to recover. Whether young or old, male or female, anorexia and bulimia eating disorder treatment is available both in the public and private health sector.
UK Eating Disorder Treatment
If you are looking for eating disorder treatment in the UK, the first port of call should be your family doctor who can provide a referral to either NHS or private care. However, it is important to be aware that NHS waiting lists for therapy and inpatient or outpatient clinics can be lengthy. While waiting for professional treatment, it is well worth considering alternative options, including the following:
- self-help books
- practical work books
- eating disorder support groups
- 12 step groups
Private Anorexia and Bulimia Clinics
There are several private eating disorder treatment centres and clinics offering intensive help for those suffering from anorexia and bulimia. Here are some suggestions as to where you can access care in the UK:
- Priory Clinic - Altringham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Chelmsford, Hayes Grove, Glasgow, Highbank, Roehampton, Southampton
- Capio Nightingale Hospital - London
- Huntercombe Group - Maidenhead, Edinburgh, Stafford
- The Retreat - Yorkshire
- Riverdale Grange - Sheffield
- PROMIS - Kent
- Abbeymore Eating Disorders Centre - Nottingham
- International Eating Disorders Centre - Buckinghamshire
- Life Works - Surrey
Funding for Eating Disorders
Access to private treatment clinics mainly depends on whether funding for eating disorders care is available. Due to the significant cost of treating conditions such as anorexia and bulimia there are some arrangements between the NHS and private clinics. Other means of accessing treatment for eating disorders in the private health sector, include as follows:
- parent's insurance - some young people are covered until leaving education
- work health insurance - check your contract
- private funding
NHS Treatment
If accessing private eating disorders treatment is simply not possible, there are a number of NHS specialist clinics throughout the UK. These are usually attached to university training hospitals and make it easier to have continuity of care following discharge in comparison to moving from a private clinic back to NHS care.
Another possibility is being admitted to a general psychiatric ward; this is rarely a positive solution, but it can be useful for treating other co-morbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders. Regardless of whether you access treatment in the private sector or through the NHS, success largely depends on the relationship with your therapist/therapy team. The most expensive clinics can prove an awful waste of money and time if you cannot work with those providing the care.
As highlighted above, there are a wide range of eating disorder treatment clinics in the UK, offering specialist help to those suffering from anorexia and bulimia. It is well worth discussing treatment options with your family doctor who is able to offer referrals to both private and NHS clinics.
Sources:
BEAT- UK Eating Disorder Association
Waller et al. (2010) Beating Your Eating Disorder Cambridge University Press
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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